THE
PROVERBS

Proverbs 18

Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.


1THROUGH1 desire a man, having 2separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth 3with all wisdom.

1 Hebr. after desire; that is, he commonly intends something that is desirable, which he diligently pursues after, seeking to get it in the solitude. Other, seeketh with or by desire.

2 Namely, from the society of people, being inclined to live in quietness and solitude.

3 The wise man speaks of him whose desire and delight is to involve himself into the search and seeking out of all good knowledge and true wisdom, to have thereof a firm knowledge and apprehension, which he locks up in the cabinet of his heart. This sense is strongly confirmed by the contrast of the following verse. Others understand here an evil separation and withdrawal, whereby a man separates and withdraws himself from the truly wise and right-minded persons, being moved and carried thereunto by a greedy desire after vain glory, whereunto he seeks to attain by insinuating himself through his crafty and cunning acute wit, into all good wisdoms and learning, opposing himself against it, and sucking his venom and poison out of it which he afterward upon all occasions pours out everywhere, with a great show of high and transcendent wisdom.

2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but 4that his heart may discover 5itself.

4 Namely, he will have only delight.

5 Or, in the discovery of his heart, or, that he may discover his heart; namely, by foolish speeches divulging the folly wherewith his heart is filled.

3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also 6contempt, and 7with ignominy reproach.

6 Namely, whereby he not only despises the godly in his heart, but also affronts and disgraces them in words and deeds, or whereby he is despised of the godly.

7 Or, with the ignominious (person), that is, dishonest man, comes also reproach, namely, whereby he reproaches others, or is reproached of others.

4The words of 8a man’s mouth are as 9deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a 10flowing brook.

8 Namely, of the mouth of a man of great understanding and respect.

9 That is, as deep waters which cannot be emptied; as it also never lacks such a man matter of good instruction, when it is desired of him. Compare Prov. 20:5.

10 That is, who has always floods and streams in readiness to give out at pleasure, and is never dried up.

511Ita is not good to accept 12the person of the wicked, to overthrow 13the righteous in judgment.

11 That is, it is bad. See Prov. 17 on verse 26.

a Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; 16:19; Prov. 24:23.

12 See Lev. 19 on verse 15.

13 That is, to cause him, who has a just cause, to lose it, to lie under and to be oppressed in judgment, and to be condemned by the judge. So Amos 5:12.

614A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth 15calleth for strokes.

14 That is, the words and speeches. Thus in the following verse; where also the word mouth is taken in the same sense. See Job 15 on verse 5. A fool by his foolish talk thrusts himself into strife and contention, out of which he might have tarried with better credit.

15 That is, brings contentious persons together and provokes them to fighting. Or, he is not quiet till he has gotten his back full of blows, he calls for them.

7A fool's mouth isb16his destruction, and his lips are thec17snare of his soul.

b Prov. 10:14; 13:3.

16 That is, the cause of his disturbance, that is, of his ruin and destruction.

c Prov. 12:13.

17 Namely, wherein he is caught himself. Compare Prov. 12:13 and the annotation.

8Thed words of a talebearer are 18as wounds, and they go down 19into the innermost parts of the 20belly.

d Prov. 26:22.

18 That is, who behave themselves very mournfully, feigning themselves to have suffered wrong, to move them to pity, whose ears they fill with their whispering, and telling of tales, and to set them on against their neighbor. Other, are as stripes; namely, wherewith they hurt and wound their neighbor in his good name. Compare Prov. 12:18. Or, are as of those that flatter, that is, to flatter and to talk smoothly.

19 Hebr. into the inner chambers.

20 That is, of the mind. See Job 15 on verse 2.

9He also 21that is slothful in his work is 22brother to him that is 23a great waster.

21 Meaning: the sluggard, lazy or slothful person.

22 The meaning is: that he who is slothful in his work or labor, is to be put in equal degree with the waster or spendthrift, or to be compared with him. See of such signification of the word brother Job 30:29 and the annotation.

23 That is, of a great spendthrift. Hebr. waster of the lord, or, of the master of wasting or spending, that is, who is very prone and inclined thereto, and makes it his business or whole employment. See Gen. 14 on verse 13.

1024The name of the LORD ise25a strong tower: the righteous runneth 26into it, and is safe.

24 That is, the Lord Himself, especially for those who know Him aright and call upon Him. See 1 Kings 5 on verse 3.

e 2 Sam. 22:51; Psalm 18:2; 61:3; Prov. 29:25.

25 Hebr. a tower of strength, that is, as a strong tower wherein those, who are in any way distressed, are not only protected and defended, but also freed and delivered from all danger of hurt. Also Psalm 61:3.

26 Namely, unto the Name of the Lord, or to the tower of strength.

1127Thef rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall 28in his own conceit.g

27 Also Prov. 10:15.

f Prov. 10:15.

28 That is, as the rich man persuades himself, and fancies in his own conceit.

g opinion, conception*

12Beforeh29destruction the heart of man is haughty, andi before honour is humility.

h Prov. 11:2; 16:18.

29 That is, adversity, ruin and perdition. See of the Hebrew word Job 31 on verse 29.

i Prov. 15:33.

13He that 30answereth a matter before he heareth it, it 31is folly and shame unto him.

30 Hebr. he that returneth a word, that is, he who answers. Also 1 Kings 12:6, 9; 2 Chron. 10:6, 9.

31 That is, it is justly counted folly unto him, whereby he then gets shame and disgrace.

14The 32spirit of a man will sustain 33his infirmity; but a 34wounded spirit 35who can 36bear?

32 That is, courage, namely, which is manly and bold. See Prov. 15 on verse 13.

33 Namely, either his own infirmity, as grief and fear, or his body’s infirmity, as sickness and pain. All these the courageous spirit is said to uphold or sustain, when it strengthens and comforts a man in them, so that he faints not.

34 Which is cast down by its own or its body’s suffering. Compare Prov. 15:13 and the annotation.

35 As if he had said: None but God is able to do this.

36 Other, lift it up?

15The heart of the 37prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

37 The prudent and wise men here are those who, having received a beginning of understanding and wisdom, seek to increase it, by pondering and keeping in their hearts that which they have already learned and by listening and giving ear unto that which is yet to be learned. Compare Prov. 1:5.

16A man’s gift 38maketh room for him, and bringeth him before 39great men.

38 That is, opens a way unto him to come out of adversity, or to get to the end of a dispute or a trouble.

39 That is, who are great of estate and repute, and consequently can prevail much to further a man’s cause. Compare 2 Kings 5:1; 10:6; 25:9 and the annotations.

1740He that is first in his own cause seemeth 41just; butj42his neighbor 43cometh and 44searcheth 45him.

40 That is, he, who has an outstanding dispute with his neighbor, prevents him at first to open his cause before the judge and fill it with reasons.

41 That is, to be in the right, namely, as long as his adversary has not been heard yet.

j Prov. 25:8.

42 Namely, the defendant.

43 Namely, before the judge, to report to him also his cause.

44 Namely, before the judge, or the adverse party.

45 Namely, his neighbor, that is, the defendant, to hear him likewise, and to examine him about that which the plaintiff had first alleged.

18The 46lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the 47mighty.

46 See Prov. 16 on verse 33.

47 That is, those who harden themselves and make themselves strong and powerful against another in their dispute, or who have strength and power enough to hurt one another, if they are not united and reconciled.

19A brother 48offended is harder to be won than a 49strong city: and their 50contentions 51are like the bars of a castle.

48 Or, more provoked by transgression, namely, against his brother, by whom he thinks himself to be wronged, and therefore is at variance with him.

49 Namely, against her prince or any lord to whom she will not surrender herself, nor making peace with him, relying upon her own strength. Hebr. city of strength.

50 Namely, between brethren and near kindred.

51 That is, they hold very strongly and firmly, and shut or keep out continually the contentious brethren from one another.

20A man’s 52belly shall be satisfied with thek53fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be 54filled.

52 That is, he himself both in body and soul.

k Prov. 12:14; 13:2.

53 Meaning: the speeches or communication which issues forth out of a man’s mouth, and is called in the following words of this verse the increase of the lips. Compare Prov. 12 on verse 14; Prov. 13 on verse 2.

54 That is, be filled, either by the good of blessing by his wise and godly communication, or with the evil of punishment by his foolish and godless discourse. Compare Job 7 on verse 4; Prov. 12 on verse 14.

21Death and life are in 55the power of the tongue:l and they that 56love 57it shall 58eat the 59fruit thereof.

55 Hebr. hand. Compare Gen. 16:6 and see the annotation.

l Prov. 21:23; James 3:2.

56 Namely, to use it, either for good, by wise and virtuous speeches, or for evil, by foolish and vicious communication, but some take it only for a good end.

57 Namely, the tongue.

58 That is, enjoy with gladness, if he loves it so as to use it well, or, suffer with pain and grief, if he loves it so as to abuse it. See Job 21 on verse 25.

59 See Prov. 1 on verse 31.

22Whosom findeth a 60wife findeth a good thing, and 61obtaineth favour of the LORD.

m Prov. 19:14.

60 Namely, a good and godly wife. The word good must be understood from what follows. Also Prov. 22:1 name for good name; likewise Prov. 24:6 counsellers for good counselors, and Prov. 24:20 reward for good reward, and Prov. 29:4 king for a good, wise king.

61 Hebr. bring forth; that is, obtained. See Prov. 8 on verse 35; 12:2.

23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

2462A man that hath friends must shew himself 63friendly: and there is a friend that 64sticketh closer than a brother.

62 Hebr. a man of friends, that is, who has friends.

63 Namely, toward those with whom he has entered into friendship.

64 That is, sticks closer to a man in time of need, and assists him more faithfully.