CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 23:1. WHEN THOU SITTEST, etc. Miller here translates “_Forasmuch as thou sittest_,” and applying the word _ruler_ to God gives to the proverb a meaning entirely different from that generally attached to it. See his remarks in the Suggestive Comments. WHAT IS BEFORE THEE? R... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 23:5. WILT THOU SET THINE EYES? etc. Rather “_Wilt thou look eagerly after it, and it is gone?_” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 23:4_ THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES In order to get the true meaning of this proverb it is necessary to define what Solomon understands by labourin... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 23:6. HIM THAT HATH AN EVIL EYE—_i.e._, the jealous man. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Proverbs 23:6_ FEIGNED GENEROSITY I. MEN’S INWARD LIFE AND FEELINGS ARE OFTEN DIRECTLY OPPOSED TO THEIR OUTWARD LIFE AND ACTIONS. A man is here pictured as manifesting a large ho... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 23:9_ THE MORALLY INCURABLE I. A MAN MAY BECOME MORALLY INCURABLE BY HUMAN INSTRUCTORS. There are cases of bodily disease which it would be quite useless for the most skilful physician to attempt to cure; such an attempt would only be a throwing away of time and energy... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 23:11. THEIR REDEEMER. Their _Goel_, or Avenger. In the Hebrew law this word is applied to the nearest kinsman. (See Ruth 3:12.) _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 23:10_ THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY I. IN THE COMMUNITY FORMED UNDER DIVINE DIRECTION THERE WAS A POSSESSION OF... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 23:17. LET NOT THINE HEART ENVY, etc. The verb translated _envy_ refers to both objects in the verse, and is better translated “_strive after_.” Miller renders it “_be aglow_.” “It is,” he says, “a verb expressive of all emotion.” (See Numbers 25:11.) PROVERBS 23:18. SURE... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 23:30. MIXED WINE—_i.e._, wine mixed with strong spices. PROVERBS 23:31. WHEN IT GIVETH HIS COLOUR, etc., literally, “When it showeth its eye.” This may refer to its _brightness_, or to the _head_, or _pearl_ of the wine. “WHEN IT MOVETH ITSELF,” etc., rather “when it gli... [ Continue Reading ]