THE
PROVERBS

Proverbs 21

Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.


1THE king's heart is 1in the hand of the LORD, as the 2rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

1 That is, in His command and power, to direct and guide it according to His wisdom.

2 That is, as water brooks are in the hand of gardeners and husbandmen, to let them in and out at their pleasure and to carry them whithersoever they list for the use and benefit of the land.

23Everya way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the 4hearts.

3 See the exposition of this verse Prov. 16 on verse 2.

a Prov. 16:3.

4 Or, spirits, as Prov. 16:2. In this regard the word hearts signifies here as much as the word spirits does there, namely, the thoughts, affections, inclinations, motions and purposes. So Psalm 7:9; 26:2.

3To do 5justiceb and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

5 See the exposition of this phrase Gen. 18 on verse 19; 1 Kings 10 on verse 9.

b 1 Sam. 15:22; Psalm 50:8, 14; Isa. 1:11, 16; Hosea 6:6.

4An 6high look, and a 7proud heart, and the 8plowing of the wicked, is sin.

6 See Prov. 6 on verse 17.

7 Hebr. breadth of heart, that is, stoutness and pride of heart. See Psalm 101:5 and the annotation.

8 That is, the practice of the wicked. Namely, whatsoever they secretly plot and invent, and do publicly put in practice; thus the word devising is taken; see Prov. 3 on verse 29, where the Hebrew word may likewise be translated plowing. Or thus: Highness of eyes and broadness of heart are the plowing or the practice of the wicked and sin. Other, the lamp of the wicked, that is, their welfare and prosperity, is sin.

5Thec thoughts of the diligent tend 9only 10to plenteousness; but of every one 11that is hasty only to want.

c Prov. 10:4; 13:4.

9 Other, truly, or, certainly. Also in the following clause of this verse.

10 That is, they are so blessed by God that the diligent laborer does not get only his daily necessities supplied thereby, but also somewhat over and above for an extraordinary time of need, and for to give and leave unto his children.

11 That is, who with a rash and improvident or unadvised hastiness seeks to grow rich by all manner of means or ways whatsoever. Compare Prov. 20:21.

6Thed12getting of treasures by a 13lying tongue is a 14vanity tossed to and fro of them 15that seek death.

d Prov. 10:2, 4; 13:11.

12 Hebr. the work of treasures; that is, the labor which is done to gather many goods.

13 Hebr. tongue of falsehood; that is, a tongue that uses falsehood and deceit. Understand hereby all manner of injustice. Compare Prov. 6:17 and the annotation.

14 Understand vanity, which is of no value, exceeding empty and unprofitable, being compared to chaff and dust, that by reason of its lightness is blown and tossed to and fro by a strong wind.

15 That is, of those who rush into danger both of temporal and eternal punishment.

7The 16robbery of the wicked 17shall destroy them; because they refuse to do 18judgment.

16 Namely, whereby they waste and devour their neighbor. Or, as some: whereby they themselves shall be wasted.

17 Or, shall saw them asunder, cast them down; as when a tree is sawn down; that is, shall be an occasion, that by God’s just judgment, they are utterly destroyed. It seems that here respect is had to that kind of punishment, whereby malefactors were cut asunder by the magistrate with the saw, or sawn in pieces. See 2 Sam. 12 on verse 31. Other, shall tarry, or abide with them, namely, until they also shall be destroyed. Other, The robbery of the wicked shall affrighten them.

18 That is, to give everyone his due.

8The way of man is 19froward and 20strange: but as for the pure, 21his work is right.

19 Namely, by the corruption of his nature.

20 Namely, from God, or from true purity and holiness.

21 That is, of him who is cleansed and purified by the Spirit of sanctification.

9Ite is better to dwell in a corner of 22the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide 23house.

e verse 19. Prov. 25:24; 27:15.

22 In the land of Canaan the roofs of the houses were flat, on which it was not convenient to live, because they were exposed to the wind and rain; and especially in the corners where the rain water did gather and ran down. Compare Deut. 22 on verse 8.

23 That is, in a wide or large house, wherein one may easily dwell with a large company of people without being strained for want of room, as in a corner. An house of company may also be understood of an house wherein man and wife live together, being comprehended under one family or housekeeping. Compare verse 19.

10The soul of the wicked desireth 24evil: 25his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

24 Meaning: the evil of guilt, that is, sin.

25 Or, companion, or friend. The sense is: that a wicked man is entirely bent to do everyone mischief; or, that he does not spare his own friend. See of the Hebrew word Prov. 14 on verse 20.

11Whenf the scorner is 26punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is 27instructed, 28he receiveth knowledge.

f Prov. 19:25.

26 Namely, not only reproved or rebuked with words, but also by charging a fine, as the word here used imports, or also with blows, as the text holds forth Prov. 19:25.

27 Namely, with words. See Prov. 19 on verse 25. Other, when he, namely, the simple, understandingly heedeth the wise, etc.

28 That is, he adds unto his former knowledge still other, while he receives the good doctrine and pursues the same. Compare Prov. 1:5.

12The righteous man wisely 29considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked 30for their wickedness.

29 Namely, in order to profit by the observations of God’s judgments which come upon it.

30 Namely, into the evil of punishment. Other, overthroweth the wicked for evil, namely, of sin, that is, consumes and destroys for the sins which they commit daily. Otherwise this verse might thus be translated: He, namely God, instructeth the righteous by the house of the wicked, Who overfloweth the wicked into evil. Or thus: Which (namely, house) subverteth the wicked into evil.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the 31cry of the poor, he also shall 32cry himself, but shall not be heard.

31 Namely, whereby he cries for help and relief in his poverty.

32 Namely, unto God or men, when he is in any straight or distress.

14A giftg33in secret 34pacifieth anger: and a reward 35in the bosom strong wrath.

g Prov. 17:8; 18:16.

33 Namely, given to the judge or to one who is exceedingly provoked to anger.

34 That is, removes it, crushes it down, or quencheth it.

35 See Prov. 17 on verse 23.

15It is joy to the just to do 36judgment: but 37destruction shall be to the 38workers of iniquity.

36 Namely, either in his private life or in a peculiar office wherein he is placed, to administer right and justice unto others.

37 Or, amazement, trouble, namely, either when he must do justice himself or when it is done by others.

38 Whether he works iniquity as a private person or as one in public.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding 39shall remain in the congregation of the 40dead.

39 Or, shall rest.

40 Meaning: such as are not only dead in body, but also in soul. See of the Hebrew word Prov. 2 on verse 18.

17He that loveth 41pleasure shall be a 42poor man: he that loveth 43wine and oil shall not be rich.

41 Namely, unlawful, wicked and immoderate joy or pleasure.

42 Hebr. shall be a man of want or of need.

43 That is, he who seeks to live a voluptuous and intemperate life. Heretofore, at merry feats, they used, besides the wine, many oils and ointments, wherewith they anointed their bodies, and especially the head, for the preservation of health, and reviving of the spirit. See Ruth 3 on verse 3; Psalm 23:5; Prov. 27:9; Cant. 1:3; Amos 6:6; Mat. 26:7; besides this, oil had yet other uses in the land of the Jews. See verse 20; Judges 9 on verse 9. But here is spoken of the misuse of oil and wine; being comprehended under these two all others which are given for the comfort and cheering of man.

1844Theh wicked shall be a 45ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

44 The sense is: that in many common punishments the godly persons get out of danger which are wont to threaten them most, and wicked men come in their stead by the wise and just Providence of God, as if they were their ransom or redemption money. See Prov. 11 on verse 8.

h Prov. 11:8.

45 By ransom is meant the price which is paid to redeem a person out of any misery, or suffering.

19Iti is better to dwell in 46the wilderness, than with a 47contentious and an angry woman.

i verse 9; Prov. 25:24.

46 Hebr. in the land of the desert.

47 Hebr. a wife of brawlings and of anger. Compare verse 9; Prov. 19:13.

20There is 48treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

48 Serving to the preservation, and cheering of man; under which oil was also comprehended. See the annotation on verse 17.

21He that followeth after 49righteousness and 50mercy findeth life, 51righteousness, and honour.

49 Namely, whereby one gives to everyone what is one’s due, according to the civil law.

50 Namely, whereby one does good unto a person out of love and liberality as the law of God and the law of nature requires. See Prov. 3 on verse 27.

51 That is, God will cause that justice and equity are likewise done him by the people.

2252A wise man 53scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the 54strength of the confidence thereof.

52 The meaning is: that wisdom is to be more esteemed and regarded than strength, Eccl. 9:16, as experience teaches, that oftentimes there is more good done by the wise managing or direction of one commander than by the great multitude of soldiers in the army.

53 Namely, in time of war.

54 That is, the fortress whereon the city relied.

2355Whosoj keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

55 That is, he who takes heed that he provokes not God, nor incense his neighbor against himself, by evil, vain, and contentious words.

j Prov. 18:21.

2456Proud and haughty scorner is 57his name, 58who dealeth in proud wrath.

56 Or, He that is proud and haughty or presumptuous, whose name is scorner, dealeth, etc.

57 That is, as he is indeed and in truth a scorner, so may he likewise be justly so called, because he casts aside all good admonitions, and falls proudly upon his neighbor with scorns. See an example in Haman, Esther 3:5, 6.

58 That is, he does all things with a lofty and soaring spirit, following not the guide or dictates of reason, but his own loose passions and disordered affections.

25The 59desire of the slothful killeth 60him; for his hands refuse to labour.

59 Namely, whereby he desires to have his want or need supplied without endeavoring to attain unto it by honest labor.

60 That is, it shall not only bring him to great poverty, but also to his utter ruin.

26He coveteth 61greedily all the day long: but thek righteous 62giveth and spareth not.

61 Hebr. the desire. Other, he coveteth the covetous, that is, the man who is very covetous or desirous, namely to get wealth. See Job 35 on verse 13.

k Psalm 37:26.

62 Namely, unto the poor and needy, and that according to his ability, and of what God has given him.

27Thel sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a 63wicked mind?

l Prov. 15:8; Isa. 1:13; Jer. 6:20; Amos 5:21.

63 Namely, expressly intending to effect or accomplish some wicked act thereby, and as it were calling upon God to be an help to advance and set forward their villainy. See an example hereof in Balaam, Num. 23:1.

2864Am false witness shall perish: but the man 65that heareth speaketh 66constantly.

64 Hebr. A witness of lies.

m Prov. 19:5, 9.

65 Namely, unto the law of God, and especially to the commandment of bearing no false witness. Or, he who gives diligent attention, and witnesses nothing else, but what he has heard or seen.

66 Other, always, namely, whether he is summoned in judgment to give evidence, or else to relate a thing that he knows according to truth, when it is needful and profitable to edification.

29A wicked man 67hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, 68he directeth his way.

67 Or, stiffeneth himself, that is, hardens his face. The meaning is: that he with great obstinacy and impudence follows his own mind, without giving heed to that which is just and right.

68 Namely, because he orders and directs all actions and affairs according to the Word of God.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel 69against the LORD.

69 That is, which is to be compared with the wisdom or understanding, or counsel of God, and would be able to withstand or resist it.

31Then70horse is prepared against the day of battle: but 71safety 72is of the LORD.

n Psalm 33:17.

70 Understand under this word all outward means which are wont to be used and employed in war and in battle.

71 See 2 Sam. 8 on verse 6.

72 That is, comes from the Lord.