THE
PROVERBS

1 The meaning is: wine and other strong drink, being misused by excess and intemperance, makes those men, who do misuse them to become mockers and outrageous or raging persons.

2 The word rendered here strong drink is in Hebrew schechar. See of this word Lev. 10 on verse 9.

3 Or, a disturber, or causer of trouble and raging, that is, that provokes a man to cry, roar, make a noise, to chide, brawl, scold, fight, squabble, etc. See Prov. 23:29. Likewise Hosea 4:11, 18, and of the Hebrew word, Prov. 7:11.

4 That is, exceeds measure in drinking thereof. See the same phrase taken in a bad sense, Isa. 28:7; and in a good sense, Prov. 5:19 on the word erreth.

5 That is, shall not learn true wisdom, as being unfit for it. Or, shall not be wise, that is, is not prudent, not well advised, not godly, not virtuous.

a Prov. 16:14; 19:12.

6 Namely, which a king, in his wrath, causes or produces in a man. Understand also the fear of you and the dread of you, (that is, of the people), Gen. 9:2; the terror of God, Gen. 35:5; the dread of thee and the fear of thee (that is, of the Israelites), Deut. 2:25.

7 See Prov. 19 on verse 12.

8 That is, he who uses harsh and angry language against the king.

9 Namely, the king.

10 That is, against his own life, which he brings into great danger. Compare Num. 16:38; 1 Kings 2:23; Prov. 8:36, together with the annotations.

b Prov. 17:14.

11 Hebr. to sit still. Sitting for ceasing, see 2 Chron. 32 on verse 10.

12 Namely, which is nigh at hand in seed time; that is, by reason of the cold that then begins to come, or because of the badness of the weather. Other, the sluggard will not plow in harvest. But the Hebrew word choreph is opposite to summer, Gen. 8:22; Psalm 74:17; Amos 3:15; Zech. 14:8. And winter is so called, because it is, as it were, the reproach of the earth, taking away all the beauty, greenness and loveliness of it.

13 The Hebrew word is so taken, Psalm 109:10.

14 Namely, for him to reap, as there is for others, who have plowed and sown.

15 That is, wisdom, whereby one is able to give oneself and others good advice in all things that happen.

c Prov. 18:4.

16 Namely, who is wise, understanding and prudent.

17 See Prov. 18 on verse 4.

18 That is, a man who is wise and understanding. Also Prov. 10:23; 11:12.

19 That is, draw it out and pluck it out, namely, by moving questions to wise men, and hearing what they can say to them, and so learning of them. Compare Prov. 1:5. Or, the meaning is: that the inclination and purpose of a deep witted and solitary man may yet in a manner be searched, sifted out and discovered by a wise and understanding man.

20 Namely, counsel.

21 That is, boasts himself about his good works and benevolences, which he shows to others, yet often untruthfully, by mere ambition.

22 Hebr. a man of faithfulnesses. The question intimates here that there are but few such men to be found. See the like manner of asking Prov. 31:10.

23 See Gen. 20 on verse 5.

24 Namely, who is wise, godly and righteous.

25 To pronounce judgment, or to give sentence amongst his people.

26 That is, causes all wickedness and wicked doers to remove from him and from his people, yea to be destroyed and rooted out of his land, as the sun by its beams and shining dispels and drives away the thick mists and vapors. Compare Psalm 101:4.

d verse 26.

27 Namely, by summoning malefactors or wicked doers before him, by taking knowledge of their offences, by convincing them of their wicked crimes, by sentencing and condemning them. Yea, he knows how to frighten them and to chase them away with a very look or cast of his eye.

e 1 Kings 8:46; Job 14:4; Psalm 51:5; Eccl. 7:20; 1 John 1:8.

28 Namely, in truth. It is a question which implies a strong denial. See Gen. 18 on verse 17.

29 Hebr. a stone and a stone. See Lev. 19 on verse 36.

f verse 23. Deut. 25:13; Prov. 11:1.

30 That is, a twofold stone and a twofold ephah or measure, namely, a large one with which to buy and a small one with which to sell. Also Deut. 25:13. See the annotation there. Likewise below verse 23.

31 Hebr. an ephah and an ephah. What kind of measure the ephah was properly; see Exod. 16 on verse 36.

32 Hebr. is the Lord’s abomination. See Prov. 3 on verse 32.

33 See the same manner of speech verse 12; Prov. 17:15.

34 That is, by his childish manners, which discover themselves in his first years.

35 Meaning: his life, which he shall lead hereafter, in time to come.

36 The sense is: that the instruments and work tools of the outward senses do not only proceed from God, but also the power and faculty to use them and the gifts to use them well. Some understand this in particular of the obedience and loyalty which subjects owe unto their prince, or sovereign, and of the wise and prudent government, whereby princes and magistrates ought to have faithful eyes upon, and a tender care of the welfare and prosperity of their subjects.

g Exod. 4:11; Psalm 94:9.

h Prov. 19:15.

37 Namely, what is immoderate, and which proceeds from idleness or laziness, Prov. 19:15.

38 Namely, after that nature has had her necessary sleep; then apply yourself to honest labor in your lawful calling to get your living.

39 It is a commandment, containing in it a promise that we shall be satisfied. See of such kind of phrase, Prov. 3 on verse 25.

40 By bread is meant here: all bodily necessities. See Gen. 3:19; 18:5, together with the annotations.

41 Namely, the goods or the commodity which the buyer bargains to buy; blaming equally and selfishly in the search that which he eagerly had.

i worthless, bad*

42 That is, when he has made the bargain for his own advantage, he goes his way and commends himself that by his craft and subtlety he has bought the commodity below its worth.

43 See Job 28 on verse 18.

j Prov. 3:14, 15.

44 That is, which brings forth knowledge. Understand wise and virtuous speeches. Also Prov. 14:7. Compare Prov. 12:19, and see the annotation.

45 Hebr. vessel or instrument. See Job 28 on verse 17.

46 Namely, you, for whose security the surety stands bound.

k Prov. 11:15; 27:13.

47 Namely, the garment of him, that is become surety for one whom he does not know, and that for a pledge and security, that he will pay the debt for the stranger, in case he comes to fall into want.

48 This word is here inserted from the following clause of this verse. Compare Prov. 11:15; 27:13.

49 That is, who is unknown to you, and of whose estate you have no certain knowledge or assurance, so as to be out of fear for his payment.

50 Or, for the unkown. Other, for an outlandish woman. Also Prov. 27:13. Understand by a strange woman, an harlot, or, she who is unknown to you. See Prov. 2 on verse 16.

l Prov. 9:17.

51 That is, the goods gotten by false and deceitful means. See Prov. 4 on verse 17. Likewise compare Prov. 9:17 and the annotations.

52 The sense is: that such goods will prove hurtful to him in the end, and procure much sorrow and grief unto him.

53 Or, little sharp stones, or, flint stones. See the Hebrew word also Lam. 3:16.

m Prov. 11:13.

54 See Lev. 19 on verse 16.

55 That is, the secret of another, with that he is entrusted.

56 Or, sootheth, flattereth, seduceth; that is, who comes upon a man with fair enticing flattering words to catch somewhat out of his mouth, which afterwards he goes and carries to others. See of the Hebrew word entice Judges 14:15.

n Exod. 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Deut. 27:16; Mat. 15:4.

57 That is, his welfare, prosperity and happiness shall perish. See Job 18 on verse 6.

58 Hebr. in the blackness of darkness, that is, when darkness is so great, that it is very black and thick. Compare Prov. 7:9 and the annotation. Understand thereby a very sad and miserable estate, wherein the curser shall be forsaken by God. See Gen. 15 on verse 12.

59 Meaning: all manner of wealth and riches which might befall a man, and which he might leave behind for his heirs when he dies.

60 That is, is obtained and heaped up in a short time with much stirring and moving to and again by all manner of ways and means. Compare Prov. 21:5.

o Prov. 13:11; 28:20.

61 Namely, within yourself, or also to your neighbor.

p Deut. 32:35; Prov. 17:13; 24:29; Rom. 12:17; 1 Thes. 5:15. 1 Peter 3:9.

62 Hebr. stone and stone. See on verse 10.

q verse 10.

63 Hebr. the balance of deceit, that is, wherewith a man deceives and wrongs his neighbor by not allowing him his full weight, and by taking for one’s self more than is one’s due.

64 That is, they are very bad. See Prov. 17 on verse 26.

r Job 31:4; Psalm 37:23; 139:2, 3.

65 That is, his thoughts, purposes, words and works, commissions and omissions.

66 Namely, not only in regard of the work of creation, but also in regard of the works of preservation, and government.

s Jer. 10:23.

67 That is, know what shall befall him in his life time.

68 Namely, wherein he himself is taken; that is, it is a dangerous and hurtful thing for a man.

69 Namely, by eating or drinking it, which was against the law, Lev. 27:9; Deut. 23:21.

70 That is, that which by vows was consecrated to God.

71 Namely, whether you shall keep your vows or not.

72 See the annotation verse 8.

73 That is, he causes a grievous punishment to be inflicted upon them. In former time evil doers were thus punished, namely, that a cart with sharp iron wheels was drawn over them. See 2 Sam. 12 on verse 31. Understand under this punishment here mentioned, all kinds of hard and severe punishments.

74 Meaning: the rational or reasonable soul, which is endowed with the natural light of understanding and distinction between good and evil, or also with the supernatural light of regeneration, whereby a man is in a capacity to apprehend and understand what he ought to believe, and how he ought to live.

75 That is, it is a clear and bright shining light or candle of knowledge, given and lighted by God Himself, whereby a man knows himself both without and within, and is guided by God's discretion in all his actions and inactions. Compare Mat. 6:22, 23; Luke 11:34, 35; 1 Cor. 2:11.

76 That is, all the most inward parts of the thoughts, inclinations, affections, and of the most secret and hidden conscience. See Job 15 on verse 2.

77 See Psalm 101:1; Prov. 25:5.

78 Namely, because old age is oftentimes a blessing, wherewith God honors those who are godly; and because that for the most part there is with it also wisdom, experience and advise or counsel.

t Prov. 16:31.

79 The sense is: that no amendment can be expected in a man who is entirely given over to sin and wickedness, but by grievous bodily punishments.

u Prov. 10:13.

80 That is, which pierce through into the innermost parts both of body and soul.