Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.
1 AaGOOD 1name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and 2loving favour rather than silver and gold.
a Eccl. 7:1.
1 Meaning: a good name and honest report among men. Name for good name. The word good is here supplied to make up the sense from the following phrase of this verse. Compare Prov. 18 on verse 22.
2 That is, the good opinion which the godly have of a person, and the good affection which they bear unto him. Compare Prov. 3:4 and the annotation on the word favour.
2Theb rich and poor 3meet together: the 4LORD is the maker of them all.
b Prov. 29:13.
3 That is, they live among one another, and have need of one another. Compare Prov. 29:13.
4 Namely, Who forbids the rich to despise the poor, and the poor to envy the rich. The rich are bound to help and relieve the poor in love, and the poor are bound to serve the rich for reward.
3 Ac5prudent man foreseeth the 6evil, and hideth himself: but the simple 7pass on, and are punished.
c Prov. 27:12.
5 That is, who is prudent and of wise understanding. See Prov. 1 on verse 4.
6 Namely, which seems that it shall fall upon men, and he accommodates himself against it to escape the same.
7 Namely, because they do not foresee the evil which hangs over them or because they despise it.
4By humility 8and the fear of the LORD are 9riches, and honour, and life.
8 That is, which is joined with the fear of the Lord. In the same sense the words may also be rendered and of the fear of the LORD.
9 That is, as the fear of God is united and conjoined with true humility, so has also the fear of God the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4:8.
510Thorns and snares are in the way 11of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
10 That is, calamities and plagues, wherein the wicked by his evil and wicked doings is so entangled and ensnared that he cannot deliver himself out of them.
11 That is, the unregenerate man, and he who is estranged from the fear of God.
612Train up a child 13in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart 14from it.
12 The Hebrew word signifies properly to instruct one from one’s childhood up in some knowledge, and especially in the basics and principals of the holy doctrine, to the comfort and salvation of his soul. Compare Gen. 14 on verse 14. It is here as much as catechizing, which is often so used in the New Testament. See Luke 1:4; Acts 18:25; Rom. 2:18; 1 Cor. 14:19; Gal. 6:6.
13 Hebr. according to the mouth, that is, according to the request or opportunity of his way, that is, of his age, apprehension, and tenderness. Other, in the beginning or entrance of his way, that is, in the beginning of his life.
14 Namely, from which you, in his youth, have infused him with the first instruction.
7The 15rich ruleth over the 16poor, and the borrower is 17servant to the lender.
15 Namely, he who lends something to the poor or shows him some kindness or favor.
16 Namely, who has borrowed something of the rich, or has received a kindness or favor at his hand.
17 That is, he must be at his service, and ready to wait upon him. He speaks not properly of that which ought to be done, but of that which for the most part comes to pass in the world.
8Hed that soweth 18iniquity shall reap vanity: and the 19rod of his anger shall fail.
d Job 4:8; Hosea 10:13.
18 See Job 4 on verse 8.
19 That is, the plague or punishment, whereby he has vexed, offended, and oppressed others in his increasing fierce wrath. It seems to be a similitude, borrowed from a staff, wherewith one is wont to thresh seed or grain.
9Hee that hath a 20bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread 21to the poor.
e 2 Cor. 9:6.
20 That is, he who is friendly, liberal, compassionate and bountiful; also Mat. 20:15. The nature and disposition of a man is commonly seen and discovered in the eyes. The good eye is also called a single eye, Mat. 6:22. See of an evil or wicked eye, Deut. 15 on verse 9; Prov. 23:6.
21 Hebr. to the thin ones.
10Cast out the scorner, and 22contention shall go out; yea, strife and 23reproach shall cease.
22 Namely, which he is wont to raise.
23 Namely, which he causes others by his strives.
11Hef that loveth 24pureness of heart, for the 25grace 26of his lips the king shall be his friend.
f Psalm 101:6.
24 That is, sincerity of mind; of which see Gen. 20:5; 1 Kings 9:4; Psalm 51:10; Mat. 5:8.
25 Hebr. pleasantness, that is, gracefulness. See of this Psalm 45:2; Eccl. 10:12.
26 That is, which is so eloquent that he can express his upright thoughts with gracefulness. The translation may also be thus rendered: with or by or because of the grace of his lips the king is his friend.
1227The eyes of the LORD preserve 28knowledge, and he overthroweth the 29words of the 30transgressor.
27 That is, the providence and care of the Lord. See 2 Chron. 16 on verse 9.
28 That is, him who is endowed with true knowledge and godly wisdom, and orders his words and actions accordingly. Compare the phrase with Job 35 on verse 13.
29 Other, affairs.
30 That is, of the wicked man, who in words and deeds willfully depraves himself by not keeping faithfully the covenant of the Lord.
13Theg slothful man 31saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
g Prov. 26:13.
31 Namely, to escape labor. He finds then easily a pretense of this or that danger, which he feigns as if to be at hand.
1432Theh mouth of 33strange women is a deep 34pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
32 Namely, by reason of their flattering, soothing and enticing words.
h Prov. 2:16; 5:3; 7:5; 23:27.
33 See Prov. 2 on verse 16.
34 Namely, of miseries, both for body and soul. Compare Prov. 23:27.
1535Foolishnessiis 36bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of 37correction shall drive it far from him.
35 See Prov. 12 on verse 23.
i Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 23:14; 29:15, 17.
36 It is a similitude, signifying that sin is tied as fast unto youth, as things which are bound fast together with cords and ropes.
37 That is, whereby a child is chastised.
16Hej that 38oppresseth the poor to 39increase his riches, and he that 40giveth to the rich, shall 41surely come to want.
j Prov. 14:31; 17:5.
38 Namely, by deceit or violence. Compare Prov. 14 on verse 31.
39 Or, to increase himself.
40 Namely, to get his favor, help, and assistance against the poor.
41 Other, only or to nothing but want. Compare Prov. 21:5 and the annotation.
1742Bow down thine ear, and hear the words 43of the wise, and apply thine heart unto 44my knowledge.
42 This exhortation is here inserted to stir up the reader to the due and right consideration of these proverbs, yea of all the commandments of God.
43 Solomon calls these proverbs not only his proverbs, but also the proverbs of all other truly wise, who consented thereunto, and joined in the making and publishing of them, of which some are named in chapters 30; 31.
44 That is, my doctrine, and commandments, which you need to know. See Prov. 15 on verse 7. Other, to know me; me, namely, wisdom.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep 45them 46within thee; they shall withal be 47fitted in thy lips.
45 Namely, the words of the wise.
46 Hebr. in thy belly, that is, in the innermost parts of your heart. See Job 15 on verse 2; Prov. 18 on verse 8; Prov. 20 on verse 30.
47 Namely, that you may utter them conveniently and profitably unto the people.
1948That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, 49even to thee.
48 Compare Prov. 3:5, 6. Hereby is shown the end of these proverbs, which is, to believe in God, and to expect all good things from Him, on condition that we also obey Him.
49 Namely, who seeks after wisdom, hearing, or reading these proverbs. Other, do thou them also. Compare the phrase with Prov. 23:15.
20Have not I written to thee 50excellent things 51in counsels and knowledge,
50 That is, which are serviceable to the lords themselves and the governors or rulers, to be considered, to be discussed and to set to work by them. Compare Prov. 8 on verse 6. Other, have I not written thrice, that is, often?
51 That is, of all manner of good instruction and admonition, to order oneself aright according to the Word of God, both in public and in private life.
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; 52that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that 53send unto thee?
52 That is, that you may not only know the truth yourself, but also that you may make it known to others, according to the occasion and condition of your calling.
53 Namely, to do some business for them in particular, or to perform some office for all in general. Other, that send unto thee, namely, to have some good counsel and instruction from you.
22Robk not the poor, because he is 54poor: neither oppressl the afflicted 55in the gate:
k Zech. 7:10.
54 The rich and mighty are not excluded; but the poor are specially mentioned, because they could easily be oppressed, Job 31:21, and because we are bound to do them most good. See Prov. 3 on verse 27.
l Exod. 23:6; Job 31:13; Psalm 82:3, 4.
55 That is, in judgment. See Gen. 22 on verse 17.
23Form the LORD will plead their 56cause, and 57spoil the soul of those 58that spoiled them.
m Exod. 22:22, 23; Psalm 10:18.
56 That is, defend and maintain their causes. See the same phrase 1 Sam. 25:39; Prov. 23:11; Jer. 51:36.
57 That is, take away the life.
58 That is, those who take away the goods and means, from them who are afflicted.
24Make no friendship with an 59angry man; and with a 60furious man thou shalt not go:
59 Hebr. lord or possessor of anger, that is, one who is by nature and by habit very prone to anger. Also Prov. 29:22 a lord of wrath. Compare Gen. 14 on verse 13.
60 Hebr. man of furies or of burning anger, that is, who is soon kindled with great anger. Compare Job 11 on verse 11; Psalm 5 on verse 6.
25Lest thou learn his 61ways, and get 62a snare to thy soul.
61 Or, paths. See Gen. 6 on verse 12.
62 That is, bring mischief and destruction upon yourself, which you shall not be able to escape. Compare Prov. 18 on verse 7.
26Ben not thou one of them that strike 63hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
n Prov. 6:1; 11:15.
63 Namely, with the creditor, for a sign that one is surety for the debtor. See Job 17 on verse 3; Prov. 6 on verse 1.
27If thou hast nothing 64to pay, whyo should he 65take away thy bed from under thee?
64 Namely, the creditor, for whose security you have become surety for the debtor.
o Prov. 20:16.
65 Namely, if there were nothing else in your house with which to satisfy the creditor but that. Understand this of him who undertook to be surety for another man’s debt; for thereby he declared that he was rich and able to pay, so that he himself may not have recourse to that law Exod. 22:26, 27; Deut. 24:6. Although the law of charity commanded that the poor man’s necessary goods should not be pawned or taken to pledge, nevertheless the civil law permitted it in some cases, yea even to make the debtor himself a slave for some certain time, 2 Kings 4:1. See also Prov. 20:16.
28Removep not 66the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
p Deut. 19:14; 27:17; Prov. 23:10.
66 Hebr. borders of eternity. See of these borders, Deut. 19:14; 27:17; Prov. 15 on verse 25; 23:10, and of the word eternity, which is here taken for a long and unlimited time, 1 Kings 1 on verse 31.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand 67before kings; he shall not stand before 68mean men.q
67To be set or to stand before a man’s face, is to minister to him, or to be advanced and called to that office. See Deut. 1 on verse 38; 1 Kings 1 on verse 2.
68 Hebr. obscure, namely, people or men, that is, common, unknown, of no repute or respect.
q obscure, low, inferior men*