1.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
preparations = arrangements or plans. The Ellipsis ( App-6 ) of the verb in the first clause must be supplied (as it is in the second clause): "To man [pertain] the plans of his heart; but from Jehovah [comes] the final decree. "Compare Proverbs 16:9 . May be well rendered "the last word" (Compare Proverbs 16:4 ). See App-74 . Illustrations: Balaam (Numbers 23:11 , Numbers 23:12 ; Numbers 24:10-13 .Joshua 24:9 , Joshua 24:10 . Nehemiah 13:2 ). Compare Jeremiah 10:23 .
man = man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
answer. Hebrew. ma'aneh, from 'anah, which is a word of wide meaning. The noun occurs only eight times (Job 32:3 , Job 32:5 .Job 15:1 , Job 15:23 ; Job 16:1 , Job 16:4 ; Job 20:19 . Micah 3:7 ).
tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is said by it. The silent and secret plans of man's heart are contrasted with the disclosures of the tongue, which come from Jehovah. See note on "Himself", Proverbs 16:4 .
tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is said by it.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
2.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .
clean = pure
own eyes. Compare Proverbs 12:15 Proverbs 12:15 ; Proverbs 14:12 ; Proverbs 16:25 ; Proverbs 21:2 . Conscience is no safe guide, for it depends on what a man believes. Illustrations: Hazael (2 Kings 8:13 ); Jehu (2 Kings 10:16 , 2 Kings 10:31 ); the Pharisee (Luke 18:11-14 ); Paul (Acts 26:9 ; Compare Proverbs 9:4 . 1 Timothy 1:13 and Romans 7:9 ).
weigheth. With moral and spiritual weights.
the spirits = spirits (no Art.) Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
3.
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
thoughts = plans. Compare Proverbs 16:1 .
shall be established. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30 ; Genesis 46:1-4 ); Ruth (Ruth 2:12 ); David (1 Samuel 17:45 ; 1 Samuel 30:8-19 . 2 Samuel 5:19-25 ); Ezra (Ezra 8:21-23 , Ezra 8:31 , Ezra 8:32 ). Esther (Esther 4:14-17 ; Esther 8:15-17 ); Daniel (Daniel 6:10 . Psalms 37:4-6 ).
4.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Himself. Same word as "answer" (Proverbs 16:1 ) = His decree, or His own end. See note on Proverbs 16:1 .
the wicked =. a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
evil. Hebrew. raa'. App-44 .
5.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32 .
hand . . . hand. Easterns walk thus: Westerns walk arm in arm.
un-punished = acquitted, or held innocent.
6.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .
purged = covered: i.e. by a propitiatory covering.
the fear of the LORD. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
7.
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 .
9.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
deviseth his way. See notes on Proverbs 16:1 .
directeth his steps. Illustrations: Joseph's brethren (Genesis 37:18-28 , and Pro 45:5 ); Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:5 ); Saul (1 Samuel 9:3 , 1Sa 9:15 , 1 Samuel 9:16 ; 1 Samuel 23:26 ; 1Sa 23:-28 ); Jesse (1 Samuel 16:8-11 ; 1 Samuel 17:23 , 1 Samuel 17:53 ); Syrians (2 Kings 5:2 ); woman (John 4:7 ); Saul (Acts 9:1 , &c.); Philemon.
10.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
A divine sentence = an oracle.
lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is uttered by them.
transgresseth not: or, will not be unfaithful.
11.
A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
work = something made: i.e. His ordinance. Leviticus 19:36 . Compare Proverbs 11:1 . The shekel was the shekel "of the sanctuary".
12.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
13.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
kings. Some codices, with Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "a king".
they love, &c, or, kings love the words of uprightness.
14.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
messengers, &c. Illustrations: Benaiah (1 Kings 2:25 ); Haman (Esther 7:8-10 ).
pacify it = get it covered.
15.
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
cloud = heavy cloud, &c. Specially valuable, falling just before harvest.
16.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
understanding. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
17.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
the upright = upright ones.
keepeth = guardeth.
18.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth, &c. Illustrations: Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18-23 ); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:3 , 1 Kings 20:11 , 1 Kings 20:32 ); Babylon (Isaiah 47:10 , Isaiah 47:11 ); Azariah (Jeremiah 43:2-11 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30 , Daniel 4:31 .Psalms 49:11 , Psalms 49:12 ); Edom (Obadiah 1:3-4 ); Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:21-23 ).
19.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
lowly = wretched. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
20.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
trusteth = confideth. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .
happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13 .
21.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding or discernment.
22.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Understanding. Hebrew. sekel See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
fools . . . folly. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
23.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
teacheth = maketh wise. Illustrations: Eleazar (Genesis 24:34-49 ); Jacob ( Pro 47:9 ); Peter (Acts 3:12 , &c; Proverbs 4:19 , &c); Paul (Acts 13:16-41 ; Acts 14:17 , Acts 17:28 ; Acts 17:17 ; Acts 24:25 ; Acts 26:2-27 . Phm. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 ).
24.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
words = sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah. App-73 .
health = healing. Compare Proverbs 6:8 .
bones. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for whole body.
25.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
He that laboureth = the soul of him who laboureth. Hebrew. nephesh.
mouth = appetite.
craveth it of him = urgeth him on.
27.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
An ungodly man = A man of Belial.
28.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
soweth = sendeth forth. Illustrations: Princes of Ammon (2 Samuel 10:3 ); Ziba (2 Samuel 16:3 ); Chaldeans (Daniel 3:8-13 ); Herodias (Mark 6:19 ).
29.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
hoary head, &c. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 47:9 ; Genesis 48:1 , &c.); Samuel (1 Samuel 12:2-4 ; 1 Samuel 25:1 ); Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:32 , 2 Samuel 19:37 ); Elisha (2 Kings 13:14 ); Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:15 , 2 Chronicles 24:16 ).
32.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
the mighty = a mighty one.
than he that taketh a city. Illustration: Je-hoshaphat (1 Kings 22:3 , 1 Kings 22:4 . Even if the city had been taken, which it was not).
33.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
lot = stone. See next note.
lap = bosom (Proverbs 17:23 ; Proverbs 21:14 ). The reference is to the bag of the ephod, in which were the two stones by which Jehovah gave true judgment or decision. See notes on Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 . Illustrations: Haman (Esther 3:7 ); Jonah (Jonah 1:7 ); apostles (Acts 1:15-20 ).
the whole disposing = its every decision.
disposing = judgment. Hebrew. mishpat, as in Numbers 27:21 .