1The use of the proverbs. 7An exhortation to fear God, and regard the advice of parents: 10and to avoid the enticings of sinners. 20Wisdom complaineth of the contempt of scorners: 24she threateneth them.
1THE 1proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
1 See of the Hebrew word 1 Kings 4 on verse 32.
2To know 2wisdom and 3instruction; to perceive the 4words 5of understanding;
2 Understand a sure and thorough knowledge of Divine and human things how to order oneself aright, both in matter of faith and life. Compare 1 Kings 3 on verse 12.
3 Or, correction. Understand: the instruction which is given to attain unto wisdom.
4 Or, sayings that are understandingly propounded.
5 This is held to be the bravery and prudence of the spirit whereby wisdom is well managed and employed to the right use or end. Compare 1 Kings 3 on verse 12.
3To receive the instruction of 6wisdom, 7justice, and 8judgment, and 9equity;
6 Namely, whereby a man may become judicious, wise, intelligent and careful in all that may befall him, concerning things to be either done or omitted by him. Compare Prov. 3:4; 13:15; 21:16.
7 Understand hereby, the whole duty which we owe to God and to our neighbor, according to the direction of the first and second table.
8 Namely, whereby we perform unto our neighbor what we are bound to do unto him, according to the prescript of the second table properly.
9 Which must be upheld and kept in all dealings and differences with people according to the nature of love, and according as the thing itself requires.
4To give 10subtiltya to the 11simple, to the 12young man 13knowledge and 14discretion.
10 This word here is taken in a good sense for a quick, nimble, subtle and sharp wit or apprehension, as Prov. 8:5, 12; 19:25. Elsewhere it is taken in a bad sense, for craftiness, mischievousness, as Exod. 21:14; Joshua 9:4; Job 5:12; 15:5.
a insight, perception*
11 This word is sometimes taken in a bad sense for those, who by reason of their dullness do easily believe and suffer themselves easily to be turned aside, and to be misled out of the way that is good. See Job 5 on verse 2. Also verses 22, 32; Prov. 7:7; 8:5; 14:15, 18. Sometimes the Hebrew word is taken in a good sense for those who are teachable, harmless, sincere and upright, and would easily be deceived and hurt by the wicked, unless God, in Whom they trust as a father, did keep and preserve them, Psalm 19:7; 116:6; Prov. 19:25; Mat. 10:16.
12 Both in years and in understanding.
13 Understand not a meager knowledge of the things that ought to be known, but also of the grounds and reasons thereof.
14 That is, a wise and serious or judicious consideration, accompanied with a singular prudence. Also Prov. 2:11; 3:21. See the annotations at Job 21 on verse 27.
5A wise man will hear, and will increase 15learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto 16wise counsels:
15 See of the Hebrew word, translated as learning, Job 11 on verse 4. Or, will augment learning, or, increase in apprehension. Compare Prov. 9:9. Hebr. properly: add learning.
16 Hebr. wise counsels, in the plural number. See of this word Job 37 on verse 12.
6To understand a 17proverb, and 18the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark 19sayings.
17 See on verse 1.
18 Namely, of the same proverb. Other, skilful sayings, that is, apt or suitable eloquence, to utter a man’s words well.
19 That is, sayings which have a hidden and deep sense or meaning. See Judges 14 on verse 12; 1 Kings 10 on verse 1.
7¶Theb fear of the LORD is the 20beginning of knowledge: but 21fools despise wisdom and instruction.
b Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Prov. 9:10; Eccl. 12:13.
20 That is, the basis and foundation of true wisdom, namely, to obtain it fully; even as in the building of an house, the foundation is the beginning of the remaining building to finish and to perfect it. See Psalm 111 on verse 10.
21 Understand by those for the most part men, who, having drunk in false opinions, do not follow the right way of wisdom and the fear of God. See Job 5 on verse 2.
822My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the 23law of thy mother:
22 As such Solomon calls all those who hear or read his doctrine to show that he does not only propound it with a fatherly affection, but that they also ought to receive and entertain it with a childlike and most obedient heart and inclination. So verses 10 and 15; Prov. 2:1; 3:1, etc. Compare Judges 17 on verse 10; 1 Kings 20 on verse 35; 2 Kings 2 on verse 12; Psalm 34 on verse 11.
23 Or, doctrine, or, instruction. Also Prov. 3:1; 4:2; 6:20, 23; 7:2.
9For they shall be 24an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy 25neck.
24 Hebr. an addition of acceptableness, that is, which shall make thee acceptable and respected. Also Prov. 4:9.
25 Hebr. throat.
10¶My son, if 26sinners 27entice thee, consentc thou not.
26 Meaning, gross and impenitent sinners. See 1 Sam. 15 on verse 18.
27 Or, would seduce thee, that is, shall seek to persuade and inveigle with fair words. See of the Hebrew word, rendered here entice, Judges 14 on verse 15.
c Prov. 4:14.
11If they say, Come with us, let us 28lay wait for blood, let us 29lurk privily for the innocent 30without cause:
28 Namely, to shed it by killing and murdering. Blood is used for killing or murdering. See Gen. 37 on verse 26.
29 That is, lie in wait. Also in verse 18; Psalm 56:6.
30 That is, without deserving it. So Psalm 35:7.
12Let us swallow them up 31alive 32as the grave; and whole, as 33those that go down into the pit:
31 That is, without pity or compassion. Compare Psalm 124:3.
32 That is, as the grave swallows up the dead bodies. Compare Prov. 27:20; 30:16.
33 Hebr. the goers down of the pit. So Gen. 23:10 the enterers in of his city-gate, that is, those who entered in at the gate of his city. So Psalm 78:9 shooters of the bow, that is, those who shoot with the bow.
13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14Cast in 34thy lot among us; 35let us all have one purse:
34 That is, help to share the prey with us; which is commonly done by casting or drawing of lots, when everyone desires to draw out his share.
35 That is, all the prey we get, we will have it in common, and divide it amongst ourselves.
15My son, 36walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy 37foot from their path:
36 That is, do not keep their company, or, do not associate with them. Compare the phrase with 1 Sam. 25:15; Psalm 1:1.
37 That is, do not go with them in their wicked ways. Hereby may also be understood the affections, inclinations and motions of the mind or soul, for, as the feet carry the body hither and thither, so is the spirit of man led on and carried by the affections to sundry devices and practices. Compare verse 16; Prov. 5:5; 6:18, etc.
16For their feetd run 38to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
d Isa. 59:7; Rom. 3:15.
38 That is, to do evil or to hurt someone.
17Surely 39in vain 40the net is spread in the sight of 41any bird.
39 Meaning, in respect of the bird, because it takes no warning by the spreading abroad of the net, to shun and avoid danger; but is only carried by a greedy appetite and desire to the bait. Some apply this thus: that the birds when they see the net spread, are thereby warned and fly away, but the wicked are so dull and senseless, that they even spread their own nets wherein they shall be taken.
40 The sense of the proverb seems to be this: As a bird sees the net uselessly spread abroad, not heeding it, but having her eyes fixed only upon the bait, and so by falling on is taken: so wicked men and evil doers do not regard the danger, wherein they put themselves, when for some temporal gain or profit, they hurt their neighbor, but fall into the hands of the authorities, who punishes them according to their merits, or else are punished some other way by God Himself.
41 Hebr. of all lord of the wing, that is, of all manner of fowl, or, all that has wings. See Gen. 14 on verse 13.
18And 42they lay wait for their own blood; they 43lurk privily for their own lives.
42 Namely, of whom is spoken in verses 15 and 16. The meaning is: they bring their own lives to ruin and destruction by seeking after the lives of others. Compare Prov. 8:36 and the annotations.
43 See on verse 11.
19So are the 44ways of every one that is 45greedy of gain; 46which 47taketh away the life 48of the owners thereof.
44 That is, intentions, purposes, deeds and practices. Compare Gen. 6 on verse 12. Likewise Prov. 2:15; 22:25.
45 Hebr. that coveteth covetousness, or, coveteth with covetousness. So Prov. 15:27; Jer. 6:13; Ezek. 22:27; Hab. 2:9. The Hebrew word is for the most part taken in a bad sense, for filthy, covetous and dishonest lucre or gain. See Gen. 37:26; Exod. 18:21; 1 Sam. 8:3; Psalm 119:36; Prov. 28:16; Isa. 56:11.
46 Namely, covetousness.
47 That is, bring to destruction, as a bird is caught and comes to its death by the bait, to which it has flown.
48 That is, of those who study or practice covetousness. See of the word Baal, Gen. 14 on verse 13 and the 29th annotation.
20 ¶ 49Wisdom 50crieth without; she 51uttereth her voice in the streets:
49 Hebr. wisdoms, in the plural, that is, the highest, most excellent or supreme Wisdom. Also Psalm 49:3; Prov. 9:1. Thus in Job 40:15, a great beast is called behemoth that is, beasts in the plural number. This is done to increase or to multiply things. Other, every wisdom, or, manifold wisdom, or, wisdom of wisdoms. By this wisdom may be understood, either the essential Wisdom of the Father, Which is the Son of God, whereof see chapter 8, or the wisdom contained in the Holy Scripture, which far exceeds all the wisdom of men. Some understand the wisdom, which is revealed by the Word of God and by the works of Divine Providence.
50 Namely, by the preachers of the Word of God, or also by the works of creation, and upholding and governing of all things.
51 Hebr. giveth, that is, She lifts up Her voice and causes it to be heard. So Gen. 45:2; Prov. 2:3; 8:1.
21She crieth 52in the chief place of concourse,e in the openings 53of the gates: in the 54city she uttereth her words, saying,
52 Hebr. in the head of the stirs. Understand the places where there is great concourse or assembling of people and wherein is also much bustle and noise.
e assembly of people, crowd, gathering
53 Where judgment was kept. And consequently where were great meetings and gatherings of people together. See Gen. 22 on verse 17.
54 Understand every city in the land of Israel.
22How long, 55ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and 56the scorners delight in their scorning, and 57fools hate knowledge?
55 These are the words of Wisdom, Which Solomon brings in, speaking after this manner. Of the word simple see on verse 4.
56 See Psalm 1 on verse 1.
57 Do not understand jesters and senseless persons, who do not have the reasonable use of people’s understanding, but who are deprived of true wisdom, leading to everlasting life, neither are inclined to seek after it, but only trouble themselves about the things pertaining to this temporal life.
2358Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will 59pour out 60my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
58 Namely, to hear and to obey it, or to follow after it. Other, Turn you unto my reproof, that is, repent and amend your lives by virtue of My reproof. Understand such a reproof as is done by words of instruction and exhortation. Also verses 25 and 30.
59 A phrase borrowed or taken from fountains out of which water issues or gushes forth in great abundance. See of the Hebrew word Psalm 19 on verse 2. It is sometimes used in a good sense, as here, and so in the aforementioned place, and sometimes in a bad sense as Prov. 15:2, 28
60 That is, the knowledge of My mind and will. See the word spirit often taken in the same sense, that is, for the gift of understanding, Psalm 76:12; Prov. 29:11; Joel 2:28.
24¶Because I have called,f and ye refused; I have 61stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
f Isa. 65:12; 66:4; Jer. 13:10.
61 Namely, to invite you to repentance. See the like phrase, Isa. 65:2.
25But ye have 62set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
62 The Hebrew word is taken in the like sense in Prov. 4:15; 8:33; 13:18; 15:32. Other, have withdrawn yourselves from, or, bereaved yourselves of my counsel. Other, have caused my counsel to cease.
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your 63fear cometh;
63 That is, the evil and misfortune, whereat ye shall be sore afraid and astonished, or, which ye exceedingly fear. So in the following verse. See Job 39 on verse 22.
27When your fear comethg as 64desolation, and your destruction cometh 65as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
g Job 27:9; 35:12; Isa. 1:15; Jer. 11:11; 14:12; Ezek. 8:18; Micah 3:4.
64 Which spreads itself far and near with a great sound or noise, and does exceeding much harm. See of this similitude also in Psalm 35:8, and the annotations at Prov. 3:25; Isa. 10:3; 47:11.
65 That is, very swiftly, terribly and violently. See of such a similitude also Job 9 on verse 17.
28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me 66early, but they shall not find me:
66 That is, seek with great care and diligence. See Job 8 on verse 5.
29For that they hated 67knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
67 See on verse 4.
30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
3168Therefore shall they 69eat of the 70fruit of their own way, and 71be filled with their own devices.
68 Or, So shall they eat, etc.
69 That is, receive and obtain the punishment or recompense for their wicked works. See Job 21 on verse 25.
70 The word fruit, here used, is taken for all manner of evil or good that issues or proceeds from anything. It is taken for evil, as here, Isa. 10:12; Jer. 6:19; Micah 7:13; Luke 6:43. For good, Prov. 8:19; 31:31; Amos 6:12; Gal. 5:22; Philip. 1:11.
71 That is, bring a sad inundation of plagues upon themselves, occasioned by their obstinate and insubordinate minds. See of this phrase Job 7 on verse 4 and the 12th annotation.
32For the 72turning away of the simple 73shall slay them, and the 74prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
72 Namely, whereby they turn away themselves from the teachings and instruction of Wisdom.
73 Namely, the simple, which is done by means of the authorities or other means, yea by God Himself.
74 Meaning: which they or other wicked men oftentimes have in this life, whereby they are hardened in their backsliding and course of sinning.
33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell 75safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
75 Hebr. in or with safety, that is, not only without ill treatment, but also without fear of it. The same phrase is also found Lev. 25:18; Deut. 33:12; Isa. 47:8 Jer. 23:6; Ezek. 39:26, etc.