1.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
1. Through desire . . . seeketh—that
is, seeks selfish gratification.
intermeddleth . . .
wisdom—or, "rushes on" () against all wisdom, or what is valuable ().
2.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
2. that his heart . . . itself—that
is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Proverbs 12:23;
Proverbs 15:2).
3.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
3. So surely are sin and
punishment connected (Proverbs 16:4).
wicked, for "wickedness,"
answers to
ignominy, or the state of
such; and
contempt, the feeling of
others to them; and to
reproach, a manifestation
of contempt.
4.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
4. Wise speech is like an
exhaustless stream of benefit.
5.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
5. accept the person—(Compare
Psalms 82:2). "It is not good"
is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
6.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
6, 7. The quarrelsome bring
trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them ().
7.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
8. (Compare ).
as wounds—not sustained
by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men
gladly swallow.
innermost . . . belly—the
mind, or heart (compare Proverbs 20:27-30;
Psalms 22:14).
9.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
9. One by failing to get, the
other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster—literally,
"master of washing," a prodigal.
10.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
10. name of the Lord—manifested
perfections (Psalms 8:1; Psalms 20:2),
as faithfulness, power, mercy, c., on which men rely.
is safe—literally, "set
on high, out of danger" (Psalms 18:2
Psalms 91:4).
11.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
11. contrasts with (compare Proverbs 10:15).
Such is a vain trust (compare Proverbs 10:15).
12.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
12. (Compare Proverbs 15:33;
Proverbs 16:18).
13.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
13. Hasty speech evinces
self-conceit, and ensures shame ().
14.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
14. infirmity—bodily sickness,
or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded,
no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
15.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
15. (Compare Proverbs 1:5;
Proverbs 1:15; Proverbs 1:31).
16.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
16. (Compare Proverbs 17:8;
Proverbs 17:23). Disapproval of the
fact stated is implied.
17.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
17. One-sided statements are not
reliable.
searcheth—thoroughly
(Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 17:19).
18.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
18. The lot—whose disposal is
of God (Proverbs 16:13), may,
properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
19.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
19. No feuds so difficult of
adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to
avoid them.
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.
20. (Compare Proverbs 12:14;
Proverbs 13:2). Men's words are the
fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit
them.
satisfied with—(Compare
Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 14:14).
21.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
21. Death and life—or, the
greatest evil and good.
that love it—that is,
the tongue, or its use for good or evil.
eat . . . fruit—(Compare
Proverbs 18:19; James 1:19).
22.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
22. The old versions supply
"good" before the "wife," as the last clause and
Proverbs 19:14 imply (compare Proverbs 19:14).
23.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
23. the rich . . . roughly—He
is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by
wealth is wrong.
24.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
24. A man . . . friendly—better,
"A man . . . (is) to, or, may triumph (), or, shout for joy (), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is
a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of
sinners" [Matthew 11:19;
Luke 7:34], who may have been
before the writer's mind.