Bible Commentaries

Verse 1
seeketh — that is, seeks selfish gratification.

intermeddleth … wisdom — or, “rushes on” (Proverbs 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Proverbs 2:7).

Verse 2
itself — that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 15:2).

Verse 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.

Verse 4

Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.

Verse 5

accept the person — (Compare Psalm 82:2). “It is not good” is to be supplied before “to overthrow.”

Verse 6-7

The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Proverbs 6:2).

Verse 8

(Compare Proverbs 16:28).

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; Psalm 22:14).

Verse 9

One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.

waster — literally, “master of washing,” a prodigal.

Verse 10

name of the Lord — manifested perfections (Psalm 8:1; Psalm 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, etc., on which men rely.

is safe — literally, “set on high, out of danger” (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91:4).

Verse 11

contrasts with Proverbs 18:10 (compare Proverbs 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Psalm 73:6).

Verse 12

(Compare Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18).

Verse 13

Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Proverbs 26:12).

Verse 14

infirmity — bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.

Verse 15

(Compare Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 1:15, Proverbs 1:31).

Verse 16

(Compare Proverbs 17:8, Proverbs 17:23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.

Verse 17

One-sided statements are not reliable.

searcheth — thoroughly (Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 17:19).

Verse 18

The lot — whose disposal is of God (Proverbs 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.

Verse 19

No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.

Verse 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).

Verse 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).

Verse 22

The old versions supply “good” before the “wife,” as the last clause and Proverbs 19:14 imply (compare Proverbs 31:10).

Verse 23

the rich … roughly — He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.

Verse 24
friendly — better, “A man … (is) to, or, may triumph (Psalm 108:9), or, shout for joy (Psalm 5:11), 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.

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