1.
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
instruction = discipline, or correction.
2.
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 ,
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
will He condemn: or will pronounce him guilty, as Job 40:8 .
3.
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
man. Hebrew. adam. App-14 .
wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'.
the righteous = righteous ones.
4.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
virtuous = worthy. See Proverbs 31:10 and Rth 31:11 .
crown. Always used of a bridal or royal crown.
5.
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
thoughts = plans.
right = just (as to their character). Illustrations: David (1 Samuel 23:9 ; 1 Samuel 26:8-11 ); Daniel (Daniel 1:8 ; Daniel 6:4 ); Nuthanael (John 1:47 ).
counsels = steerings, or directions. Illustrations: Korah (Numbers 16 ); Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28 . Compare Proverbs 12:26 ); the prophet of Beth-el (1 Kings 13:18 . Compare Proverbs 11:9 ); Sanballat (Nehemiah 6:2 ); Haman (Esther 3:5 , Esther 3:6 , Esther 3:8 ); Ishmael (Jeremiah 40:14 ); Herod (Matthew 2:8 , Matthew 2:16 ); Pharisees (Matthew 22:15 , Matthew 22:16 ); Judas (John 12:4-6 ).
the wicked = lawless ones.
deceit = deception. Hebrew. ramah. See note on Proverbs 11:18 .
6.
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73 .
the upright = upright ones.
7.
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
overthrown. Compare Genesis 19:21 , Genesis 19:25 , Genesis 19:29 ; 2Sa 10:3 . 1 Chronicles 19:3 , &c.
and are not = there is nothing of them left.
8.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
shall be commended. Illustration: Joseph (Genesis 41:39 ).
wisdom. Hebrew. sakal. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
shall be despised. Illustrations: Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 1:3 ; 1 Samuel 2:17 , 1 Samuel 2:30 ); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2 , 1 Samuel 25:17 . Compare Proverbs 28:6 ); Judah (Jeremiah 4:22 , Jeremiah 4:30 . Lamentations 1:8 ); lost son (Luke 15:15 , Luke 15:16 ).
9.
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
He that is despised, and hath = Better to be little noticed and have, &c.
better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 .
10.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
regardeth, &c. = knoweth. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 33:13 , Genesis 33:14 ); David (1 Samuel 17:34 , 1 Samuel 17:35 ).
life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
cruel. Illustrations: Nahash (1 Samuel 11:1 , 1 Samuel 11:2 ); Pilate (Luke 23:16 ).
11.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
shall be satisfied. Illustrations: Isaac (Genesis 26:12 ); Jacob (Genesis 31:40 ; Genesis 32:10 ).
he that followeth, &c. Illustrations: Abimelech's followers (Judges 9 . Compare Proverbs 24:21 ); Theudas (Acts 5:36 , Acts 5:37 ).
understanding. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for sense. Septuagint adds: "He that delighteth himself in the drinking of wine shall leave his own stronghold a disgrace. "
12.
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
The wicked = a lawless one.
the net. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is caught in it.
of evil men: i.e. which evil men use.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 : not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 12:13 , Proverbs 12:21 .
yieldeth = giveth [to others]: i.e. instead of taking them as prey.
13.
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
The wicked = an evil man. Hebrew. ra'a'. Same word as "evil" in Proverbs 12:12 .
transgression. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .
lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by them. Illustrations: Korah (Numbers 16:1-3 , Numbers 16:31-35 .Psalms 64:8; Psalms 64:8 ); the Amalekite(2 Samuel 1:2-16 ); Adonijah (1 Kings 2:23 ); Daniel's accusers (Daniel 6:24 ); Jews (Matthew 27:25 ).
the just = a righteous one.
shall come out, &c. Illustrations: Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:10 , Numbers 14:24 , Numbers 14:30 ); Esther and her People (Esther 7:3 ; Esther 8:3-17 ; Esther 9:25 ); Peter (Acts 11:2-18 ; Acts 12:3-18 ).
14.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
fool. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
16.
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
is = letteth itself be.
presently = immediately, at once, the same day. Illustrations: Jehoram (2 Kings 6:31 ); Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1 , 1 Kings 19:2 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:19 ); synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:28 ). covereth = concealeth.
shame = public ignominy. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , put for the affront which causes it. Illustrations: Gideon (Judges 8:2 , Judges 8:3 . Compare Proverbs 8:1 ); Hezekiah (Isaiah 36:21 . Compare Proverbs 26:4 ); David (1 Samuel 17:29 , 1 Samuel 17:30 . Compare Proverbs 12:28 ); Saul (1 Samuel 10:27 . Compare Pro 20:30-33 ).
17.
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
like the piercings, &c. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 20:30 ; and Proverbs 18:21 . Compare Psalms 57:4 , and Proverbs 16:27 ); Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9-19 ); Jews (John 8:48 ); Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:14 .Hebrews 11:36; Hebrews 11:36 ).
piercings = stabs. Occurs only here.
tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it.
is health. Illustrations: Jethro (Exodus 18:17-26 ); Abigail (1 Samuel 25:24-33 ); the woman (2 Samuel 20:16 ); Stephen (Acts 7:59 . Compare Proverbs 22:20 ).
19.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
lip. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken. Illustration: Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:30 , Numbers 14:38 ).
but for a moment. Illustrations: Ahab ( 1Ki 22:30 , 1 Kings 22:37 ; Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:2 , Jeremiah 28:11 . Compare verses: Proverbs 12:15-17 ); Gehazi ( 2Ki 5:22 , 2 Kings 5:25 , 2 Kings 5:27 . 2 Kings 10:9 ); Ananias (Acts 5:5 , Acts 5:10 . Acts 21:6 ).
20.
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy.
21.
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
no evil = nothing in vain. Hebrew. 'aven . App-44 .
mischief. Hebrew. ra'a'. Same word as "evil" in verses: Proverbs 12:12 , Proverbs 12:20 .
22.
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32 .
they that deal truly are, &c. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "is" (singular) = he that dealeth, &c.
23.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
concealeth knowledge. Illustrations: Samuel (1 Samuel 9:27 . Compare Proverbs 10:16 ); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:2 , Nehemiah 6:3 ).
fools. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 12:15 , Proverbs 12:16 , Proverbs 12:24
shall bear rule. Illustrations: Eleazar (Genesis 24:2 , Genesis 24:10 ); Joseph (Genesis 39:4 , Genesis 39:22 ); Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28 ).
24.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Heaviness = Anxiety (feminine)
stoop = bowed down. Illustrations: Ezra (Ezra 9:3 Ezra 10:6 ); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4 ); David (Psalms 40:12 ); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:18 ).
maketh, &c. = maketh [the man] glad [by driving it (feminine), the anxiety (feminine), away].
26.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
the righteous = a righteous one, is more excellent than his neighbour = guideth his neighbour.
seduceth them = leadeth them astray. The clauses are not "unrelated", nor is the text "corrupt beyond restoration", when properly translated.
27.
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
roasteth not, &c. = starteth not his game (see the Oxford Gesenius).
substance: i.e. that which the diligent man "starts" and obtains is substantial. The proverb is not "humorous".
28.
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
life: i.e. life eternal. See note on Leviticus 18:5 .
no death = immortality. Or take nethebah (as in Judges 5:6 . Isaiah 59:8 ) as denoting, with derek, no devious winding by-path. In this case we must read 'el, "to", instead of 'al, "no". This avoids the necessity of the italics.