1.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Through desire, &c. = Seeking his own pleasure, the recluse (or separatist) breaketh forth (or quarreleth) with everything that is stable.
intermeddleth = breaketh forth. Hebrew. gala'. See note on "meddle", Proverbs 17:14 .
all wisdom = everything that is stable. See note on Proverbs 2:7 .
2.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
fool. Hebrew. keslt. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Same word as in verses: Proverbs 18:6 , Proverbs 18:7 ; not the same as in Proverbs 18:13 .
discover = vent.
3.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
ignominy = disgrace, or shame (i.e. outward).
reproach = reproachfulness.
4.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73 .
wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
flowing brook = a gushing torrent. Hebrew. nahal.
5.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
not good. Figure of speech Tapeinosis ( App-6 ), meaning it is very bad.
to accept the person = to show partiality.
To. Repeat the Ellipsis: "[It is not good] to".
overthrow = turn aside: i.e. pervert. the righteous = a righteous one.
6.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what is spoken by them.
mouth. See above note. Illustrations: Judges 8:4-17 ; 2Ki 2:23 , 2 Kings 2:24 ; Luke 19:22 .
7.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
soul = own self. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
8.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
talebearer = whisperer, or tattler.
are as wounds = are as dainty morsels: i.e. are greedily swallowed.
9.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
a great waster = a master of destruction: i.e. an absolute destroyer.
10.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
name = person. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
safe = set on high. Illustrations: Job (Job 19:25 , Job 19:26 ); Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:17 , Habakkuk 3:19 ); Asa (2 Chronicles 14:11 ); Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:14-20 , 2 Kings 19:32-35 .Isaiah 38:1-8; Isaiah 38:1-8 ); Apostles (Acts 4:24-33 ).
11.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
as = [it is]as.
conceit = imagination. See note on Proverbs 25:11 .
12.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
is haughty. Illustration: Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30-33 ).
humility. Compare Proverbs 15:33 . Illustration: contrast Goliath ( 1Sa 17:8-10 , 1 Samuel 17:43 , 1 Samuel 17:44 ) with 1 Samuel 17:45 , 1 Samuel 17:47 .
13.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
before he heareth it. Illustrations: David (2 Samuel 16:4 ; 2 Samuel 19:24-30 ); Ahasuerus (Esther 3:10 . Compare Proverbs 8:5 , &c.); Darius (Daniel 6:9 . Compare Proverbs 6:14 , Proverbs 6:18 ); magistrates (Acts 16:37-39 ).
14.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
sustain, &c. Illustrations: Job (Job 1:20 , Job 1:21 ; Job 2:8 , Job 2:9 , Job 2:10 ); Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9 . Acts 22:24 .Romans 5:3-5; Romans 5:3-5 ); Paul and Silas (Acts 16:23-25 , Acts 16:37 ).
who can bear? Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:13 , Genesis 4:14 ); Eli's daughter-inlaw (1 Samuel 4:19-22 . Compare Proverbs 15:13 ); Saul (1 Samuel 28:20 ; 2 Samuel 1:9 ); Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23 ); Zimri (1 Kings 16:18 ); Pashur (Jeremiah 20:4 ); Judas (Matthew 27:5 ).
15.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
the prudent = a prudent one.
the wise = wise ones.
16.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
man's. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
17.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
first in his own cause. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 15:13 . Compare Pro 18:26 ); Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-3 . Compare Proverbs 19:26 ).
18.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
offended = dealt falsely with.
20.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
power. Hebrew "hand", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the power put forth by it.
the tongue. Illustrations: the ten spies (Numbers 14:36 , Numbers 14:37 ); Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9 , 1 Samuel 22:10 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:28 , 2 Kings 18:35 ; 2 Kings 19:22-35 . 2 Chronicles 32:21 ); Ammonites (Ezekiel 25:3-7 ); Sapphira (Acts 5:5-10 ); Esther (Esther 7 and Esther 8 ); Paul (Acts 16:28-34 ); the Gospel (Romans 1:16 . 2 Corinthians 2:16 ).
22.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
a wife. Some codices, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read, "a good wife". Compare Proverbs 19:14 .
23.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor = a needy one. Hebrew. rush . See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
24.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
A man. A special various reading called sevir reads yesh, instead of ish , which means "there is", or "there are "instead of "a man". It occurs three times: here, 2 Samuel 14:19 , and Micah 6:10 .
friends. Hebrew. re'im = feeders, from ra'ah to feed (Psalms 23:1 , shepherd).
must shew himself friendly = who break in pieces. Hebrew. Hithipolel of ra'a' ( App-44 .)
there is. Hebrew. yesh, as in preceding line.
a friend = a lover (who loves "without cause"). Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ) in these words, which may be thus represented in English: "There are friends who rend us, But there is a lover who is closer than a brother. "