Bible Commentaries

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11.

sacrifices = slain beasts. Hebrew. zebach. App-43.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

trieth the hearts. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 22:1); Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2); Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:31); Martha and Mary (John 11:5, John 11:6); young man (Matthew 19:16-22); woman (Matthew 15:23-28).

wicked = mischief maker. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

liar. Hebrew "lie". Text not "corrupt"; but "lie "is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for the man who habitually lies: i.e. a liar is always ready to believe a lie. Illustrations: Ahab (1 Kings 22:6); Jews (Isaiah 30:9-11. Jeremiah 5:30, Jeremiah 5:31. Micah 2:11).

mocketh. Illustrations: princes of Judah (Isaiah 3:14, Isaiah 3:15; Isaiah 10:1, Isaiah 10:2. Jeremiah 34:10, Jeremiah 34:11); rich (James 5:4).

the poor = a needy one. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

Maker. See note on Proverbs 14:31.

unpunished = held guiltless. Illustrations: Tyrians (Ezekiel 26:2-6); Edom (Obadiah 1:10-15).

Children"s = Sons".

speech. Hebrew "lip", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is spoken by it.

fool. Hebrew. nabal. See note on Proverbs 1:7. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 17:12, Proverbs 17:16, Proverbs 10:24, Proverbs 10:25.

lips. See above note.

him that hath it = its owner (the bribed, not the briber).

prospereth = it sparkles. And he loves to look at it and keep it. Compare "gift", Proverbs 17:23.

transgression. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.

very friends = true friends.

wise man. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

evil = evil worker. Same word as "wicked", Proverbs 17:4.

a bear = a he-bear (masculine because it is always construed with a masculine verb).

her whelps = his mate.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

folly. Hebrew. "evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

beginning of strife. Illustrations: Ephraimites (Judges 12:1-6); Abner (2 Samuel 2:14-17); Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:1-16); Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:17); the Twelve (Matthew 20:24).

when one letteth out = the letting loose (as by making a breach in a dam).

be meddled with = gathereth volume.

justifieth the wicked, &c. Illustrations: the counsellors (Ezra 4:1-16); Tertullus (Acts 24:1-9); Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21:5-24). Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Mazdik rasha" umarshia" zadik, which may be Englished, "he who wrongs the right and rights the wrong".

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

the just = a just one.

abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32.

Wherefore is there a price, &c. = Why is this ready money in the hand of a fool to get wisdom when he has no sense? Illustrations: Israel (2 Chronicles 30:10); the Jews (Luke 4:28); Herod Antipas (Luke 23:11); Jews (John 5:40; John 8:45); Athenians (Acts 17:32, Acts 17:33); Felix (Acts 24:25-27); Agrippa (Acts 26:28).

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for the sense in it.

loveth at all times. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 14:14. Compare Proverbs 13:11); Joseph (Genesis 45:5; Genesis 50:21); Moses (Exodus 32:11-13. Deuteronomy 9:18, Deuteronomy 9:25-29. Compare Acts 7:40); Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:33); Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:32); Ahikam (Jeremiah 26:24); Ebed-melech (Jeremiah 38:7); Paul (Philemon 1:12, Philemon 1:20); Barnabas (Acts 9:27); Aristarchus (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2. Philemon 1:24. Colossians 4:10); Luke (2 Timothy 4:11); Epaphroditus (Philippians 1:2, Philippians 1:26).

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

understanding. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the understanding in it. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

he that exalteth his gate, &c. : i.e. a rich man, who thus proclaimed his wealth (Eastern doors being generally low-pitched and uninviting),

courted destruction. This explains 2 Kings 25:9, where "every great man's house he (Nebuchadnezzar) burnt with fire".

fool. Hebrew. nabal, as in Proverbs 17:1.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

gift = bribe. Compare Proverbs 17:8. This is the act of the briber, not the bribed.

bosom = lap. See note on Proverbs 16:33.

before = is the goal of.

spareth his words. Illustrations: Aaron (Leviticus 10:3); Moses (Numbers 16:4; Numbers 20:6); Samuel (1 Samuel 8:6-8); Christ (1 Peter 2:23).

understandings discerning. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

excellent = quiet.

fool. Hebrew. "evil, as in verses: Proverbs 17:16, Proverbs 17:22. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

understandings = wisdom (i.e. a wise man).