THE
PROVERBS

1 Hebr. a man of reproof, that is, who is much and often reproved. Also a man of sorrows, Isa. 53:3, for him who endures many sorrows. A man of desires, Dan. 10 on verse 11, for him who is much desired.

2 See Exod. 32 on verse 9.

3 See Prov. 6 on verse 15.

a Prov. 11:10; 28:12, 28.

4 That is, when they come to great authority and have a seat in government, as may be gathered from the other clause in this verse. Compare 2 Kings 5:1; 10:6; 25:9 with the annotations. Other, become many, or do multiply.

5 Namely, under the burden of tyranny, wherewith they are oppressed by wicked rulers. See an example Exod. 2:23

b Prov. 10:1; 15:20.

6 That is, a follower, nourisher and maintainer of whores. Hebr. feeder, see Prov. 13 on verse 20.

c Prov. 28:7; Luke 15:13.

7 Namely, who is wise and godly. See Prov. 18 on verse 22.

8 That is, by making and maintaining good laws, whereby the good are protected and the wicked punished.

9 That is, the government, or the state of the land, and the prosperity of the inhabitants or subjects.

10 Hebr. a man of heavings or of heave offerings. Of the Hebrew word terumah see Lev. 7:14; Num. 5:9 in the annotations. Here the same is to be understood of the heaving or lifting up of gifts, whereunto a ruler of the land might be prone and inclined to show favor unto someone, without having respect unto law or equity. The word may also be understood of the imposing of taxes, which a prince tyrannically levies and gathers of his subjects, and thereby greatly burdens and oppresses them.

11 Namely, by praising him excessively, by favoring and sparing him in his sins, and by stealthily provoking and encouraging him to the commitment of all manner of wickedness, etc.

12 That is, brings him into danger of destruction, which is hid under flattering words, as a bird is enticed by the bait to be caught in the net, of which it was not aware.

13 Namely, hidden, which brings him into danger of destruction, yea, wherein he shall certainly perish, unless God, by repentance, plucks him out.

14 Namely, because he, taking heed of sin, fears no such snare.

d Job 29:16.

15 Namely, the judge.

16 That is, undertakes to inquire into the dispute of the poor, is careful to understand, to help and assist the poor, as far as may stand with justice and equity. Compare Job 29:16.

17 Namely, whereby he ought to understand, both his duty, which engages him to help and aid the poor, and also the right manner and way to do it well and seasonably.

18 Hebr. men or people of scorning or mocking.

19 Other, set a city on fire, namely, by kindling the fire of Divine vengeance through their abominable sins, or also the fire of dissension, or of mutiny and war by their evil counsel and disloyalty. Or, ensnare a city.

20 Namely, of God, by their pious prayers; of men, by their prudence, meekness, good manners, etc.

21 Namely, the wise man. The meaning is: whether he is displeased, or whether is he well-pleased, it is all in one. Others understand this of the foolish man, who is sometimes angry and sometimes laughs, but all with the same kind of issue, which is difficult.

22 Namely, of the dispute. For, the foolish man will always seek some evasion or other, and will always have something or other still to allege.

23 Hebr. men or people of blood, that is, bloodthirsty people, or they who are prone to commit murder. See Psalm 5 on verse 6.

24 See Gen. 6 on verse 9; Job 1 on verse 1.

25 Namely, to save and to deliver it from destruction. Compare Psalm 142:4. Other, to seek the soul of someone is to seek to take away his life. See Exod. 4 on verse 19; 2 Sam. 4 on verse 8.

e Prov. 14:33.

26 That is, all his thoughts. Compare Prov. 1 on verse 23. Likewise, affections, motions, inclinations. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 7.

27 That is, he restrains and keeps himself in so that he does not reveal and discover all his thoughts, knowledge, mind and intention at once.

28 Understand one who is supreme head and governor over a country and people. See 2 Sam. 23 on verse 3.

29 Namely, so that he is inclined to believe and maintain it.

30 Hebr. the word of falsehood; also Prov. 13:5.

31 Meaning: the greatest part of them, because a wicked ruler desires to have such to wait upon him who are like himself, and by the ordering and managing of those who belong unto him, does commonly get such servants as are like him; or, if so be they are pious and godly whom he gets, then he endeavors to frame and fashion them according to his mind.

f Prov. 22:2.

32 Hebr. the man of deceits, or of usuries or of subtleties. Understand an unrighteous rich man who increases his riches by crafty and unjust dealings or devices. Other, a man of crafty diligences, that is, one who gathers riches by diligence mixed with policy or subtlety.

33 That is, live and trade together. Compare Prov. 22:2 and the annotation.

34 Namely, with the light of the sun, in order that He preserves and keeps them both alive as long as it pleases Him, Mat. 5:45. Some understand it of the enlightening of the natural understanding. Compare John 1:9.

g Prov. 20:28; 25:5.

35 That is, takes notice of their cause, judges rightly thereof, without respect of persons, and if he finds them to be in the right, maintains and defends them against their oppressors, both by sentence and execution, without growing weary or fainting therein, by reason of the smallness and poverty of the one, or being subverted and turned about by reason of the greatness and riches of the other. Thus Psalm 82:3; Isa. 1:17, etc.

36 Namely, who may easily be oppressed by the injustice and violence of others, and do hardly find help or aid, by reason of their own impotence and poverty.

h Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13.

37 Meaning: the punishment which is done by blows. See Prov. 10 on verse 13.

38 Namely, which is done by words; although the word in the original sometimes also signifies the punishment which is done actually by blows. See Prov. 3 on verse 11.

i Prov. 10:1; 17:21, 25.

39 That is, who is permitted to be his own master, who is under no man’s supervision, instruction, restraints.

40 Yea, also his father; but especially the mother, because she has been most busy in his upbringing; as also the female sex is commonly most subject to the reproach and scorn of wicked and rebellious children, and do least take it to heart.

41 Hebr. do multiply, or grow great. Compare verse 2.

j Psalm 37:36; 58:10; 91:8.

42 Compare Psalm 37:34.

43 Namely, with words and stripes, as the cause requires. See Prov. 9 on verse 7.

k Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13, 14.

44 Or, prophecy. Hebr. vision, meaning: no preaching of the Word of God whereby the will of God to us and our duty to Him is shown and explained to us. Thus is the word vision taken, 1 Sam. 3:1; 1 Chron. 17:15.

45 Namely, of the grace, blessing and protection of God, and consequently of their temporal and eternal welfare. Compare Exod. 32:25 and the annotation. Other, are forsaken, or, cast off, or, rejected, or, turn back.

46 That is, who keeps the way of the Lord. See Gen. 18 on verse 19.

47 Understand: all those who are of a servile and slavish spirit or disposition, they cannot be brought or won to the performance of their duty by soft words, by good instructions and admonitions, but have need to be compelled and forced thereto by hard and heavy blows.

48 Namely, to do that which his master commands him and whereunto he is also engaged.

49 Or, when he understandeth thee and answereth not.

50 Namely, neither with unfeigned words, nor with obedient deeds.

51 Compare Prov. 26:12.

52 Or, works, and deeds.

53 Namely, of speaking prudently and seasonably, or of doing things with good advice and counsel.

l Prov. 26:12.

54 A son of the family, who will draw unto himself the right of sonship and of inheritance. Compare the examples of Abner, 2 Sam. 3:7, 8; of Jeroboam, 1 Kings 11:26, 27, 28; of Zimri, 1 Kings 16:9.

m Prov. 15:18; 26:21.

55 Hebr. a man of anger, that is, who is prone to anger. See Job 11 on verse 11.

56 Hebr. a lord of wrath. Compare Prov. 22 on verse 24.

n Job 22:29; Prov. 15:33; 18:12; Isa. 66:2; Mat. 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:5.

57 That is, shall surely obtain and constantly keep, namely, in the sight of God, in the presence of the godly and in the testimony of his own conscience. See the similar phrase Prov. 11:16. Other, but the humble in spirit shall hold honour fast.

58 That is, is his own enemy, bringing great shame and harm upon himself. See similar phrase Prov. 8:36 and in the annotation.

59 The sense is: that he, being required by the judge upon his corporal oath and with a curse announced against him who is privy to the theft and discloses it not, notwithstanding knowing thereof, he utterly denies to have any knowledge of it. Other, so he that heareth a curse, and bewrayeth it not (as it is in Lev. 5:1), he hateth also his own soul.

o Lev. 5:1.

p reveals

60 Namely, which is too great and immoderate, whereby one does not trust in God in dangers and threatened difficulties, as one ought to do.

61 That is, brings the fearful person into great danger of sinning more against God, and of being more punished by God by many unhappy disasters and sad accidents.

62 Namely, where he shall surely be safe and free from all dangers.

q Prov. 19:6.

63 Namely, to require something that may tend to the advancing and promoting of the cause, and of the dispute, which they have against another.

64 Namely, Who absolutely loves righteousness and has also the hearts of rulers in His hand, Prov. 21:1, and therefore must first of all and before all others be sought. See examples hereof, Neh. 1:4; Esther 4:16.

65 Hebr. a man of injustice, that is, who loves injustice. Compare Prov. 6 on verse 12.

66 That is, he who is wise and godly. Compare Psalm 37:14; 119:1.

67 Hebr. an abomination of the wicked. See Prov. 3 on verse 32.