_Through desire_ According to the rendering of A.V. this would mean: A man who is possessed by an intense desire of wisdom separates himself from all other avocations and pursuits and from the society of his fellow men, isolates himself, as we say, that he may "intermeddle with" it, give himself who... [ Continue Reading ]
_but that_ The added word in R.V., BUT ONLY THAT, brings out the force of the Heb.; q.d. so far from having any delight in understanding, his only delight is in blurting out his own ideas and opinions. There is perhaps, as _Speaker's Comm_. suggests, an implied contrast with the "other form of egoti... [ Continue Reading ]
_with ignominy reproach_ Or, WITH IGNOMINY _cometh_ REPROACH. As shame is inseparable from wickedness, so is reproach from ignominy, i.e. ignominious character and conduct ("a shameful deed," Gesen.; "turpi mores, turpiter facta," Maur.). The rendering, however, of A.V. gives a good sense: when the... [ Continue Reading ]
_a man's mouth_ The second clause of the verse limits and interprets the first. It is of a _wise_man's mouth that the proverb speaks. His words are "as deep waters," because they are no mere shallow talk, but are full of depth and meaning, "The well-spring of wisdom," which is their source, does not... [ Continue Reading ]
_to overthrow_ i.e. _so as to_, or _with a view to, overthrow_. See R.V. marg. Better perhaps with R.V. text, _nor_ TO TURN ASIDE.... [ Continue Reading ]
_enter into_ The Heb. may mean either "come into," or "come with," "bring" (R.V. marg.). _strokes_ Or, STRIPES, R.V., as the same Heb. word is rendered in Proverbs 19:29, the only other place in which it occurs. Some, however, take "calleth for" to mean "provokes," "causes." "Os ejus jurgia provoca... [ Continue Reading ]
_talebearer_ Rather, WHISPERER, R.V., secret calumniator, as in Proverbs 16:28; bilinguis, Vulg. _wounds_ Rather, DAINTY MORSELS, R.V.; so greedily do men swallow down and retain them. This proverb occurs again, Proverbs 26:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a great waster_ Lit. A MASTER OF LAYING WASTE, or DESTROYING; a DESTROYER, R.V. Comp. for a similar sentiment, "He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad," Matthew 12:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
_is safe_ "Heb. _is set on high_," R.V. marg.; ὑψοῦνται, LXX.; exaltabitur, Vulg.... [ Continue Reading ]
_his strong city_ There is a sense in which it is really so (Proverbs 10:15); but a sense also in which, in designed contrast to the "strong tower" of the preceding verse, it is only so in his own opinion. _conceit_ i.e., IMAGINATION, as R.V.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 15:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
_answereth a matter_ Rather, GIVETH ANSWER, R.V. "Heb. _returneth a word_," A.V. marg. Compare: "Answer not before thou hast heard; And interrupt not in the midst of speech." Sir 11:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a wounded spirit_ If the sustaining spirit be itself wounded or broken, the burden becomes intolerable. It is the pathetic thought of "the spirit which so long bore a man's infirmity, and then at last broke because it could bear no more, and became itself intolerable," Horton.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the heart … the ear_ While "the heart" within, like some busy workman in his chamber is acquiring knowledge, "the ear" without is no less on the alert in accumulating fresh materials to increase the store.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 19:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
_in his own cause_ i.e. in pleading, or stating it. You must wait to hear the other side, the "neighbour's searching out," if you would come at the truth. _Audi alteram partem_is the gist of the proverb.... [ Continue Reading ]
_offended_ or _injured_, R.V. marg. _like the bars of a castle_ forming an impassable barrier to reconciliation.... [ Continue Reading ]
_love it_ i.e. delight in using it, as an instrument either of "death" or of "life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare: "Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days shall be twofold. A brave woman rejoiceth her husband; And he shall fulfil his years in peace. A good wife is a good portion: She shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord." Sir 26:1-3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man that hath friends_ Lit. A MAN OF FRIENDS, i.e. one who _makes many friends_, R.V.; makes them too easily and indiscriminately. _must shew himself friendly_ Rather, _doeth it_ TO HIS OWN DESTRUCTION, R.V. He will be ruined by extravagance and "evil communications." _and_ Rather, BUT, in cont... [ Continue Reading ]