PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:1 Proverbs 1:1 of Solomon. Here begins what may be called the “proverbs proper.” They are short, individual sayings, in contrast to the longer wisdom poems of chs. Proverbs 1:1. Often, however, individual proverbs are grouped together into small collections which give th... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:4 MAKES RICH. See v. Proverbs 10:22. The DILIGENT is another name applied to the wise (see Introduction: Reading Proverbs). The gift of persistence is the Lord’s primary means of providing for his people’s material needs (see v. Proverbs 10:3). The contrasts of vv. Prove... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:6 Neither the BLESSINGS... ON THE HEAD OF THE RIGHTEOUS nor the VIOLENCE that is hidden by the MOUTH OF THE WICKED are necessarily obvious to an observer who sees only external facts (v. Proverbs 10:6). However, the one who is WISE OF HEART (v. Proverbs 10:8) will walk S... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:12 The wicked are described as concealing violence (vv. Proverbs 10:6, Proverbs 10:11) or HATRED (vv. Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 10:18). They deceive others for their own sinful purposes. The one who is wise seeks the good of others even when he or she is the offended part... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:15 The proverb reflects on the benefit of WEALTH and the harmful effect of POVERTY. Wealth can be like a STRONG CITY, providing safety, resources, and protection against misfortune. Poverty leads to difficulty and thus should not be embraced out of laziness or romanticis... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:22 This verse, at the center of vv. Proverbs 10:12, teaches an important truth about both the source and the nature of wealth. Since it is the BLESSING OF THE LORD that MAKES RICH, one must seek wealth through righteous means. A person’s hope should come not from materia... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:27 As a general rule, THE FEAR OF THE LORD PROLONGS LIFE because of the Lord’s blessing (compare Proverbs 9:11; Deuteronomy 5:16). Likewise, as a general rule, THE YEARS OF THE WICKED WILL BE SHORT, whether because the Lord brings about premature death as a judgment or b... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:30 The phrases WILL NEVER BE REMOVED and WILL NOT DWELL indicate that the LAND here refers to the promised end of the righteous path (see note on 2:21–22). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 10:31 The repetition of the MOUTH OF THE RIGHTEOUS (see v. Proverbs 10:11) and the MOUTH OF THE WICKED (see vv. Proverbs 10:6, Proverbs 10:11) acts as a frame around vv. Proverbs 10:6. Verses Proverbs 10:31 conclude the chapter by drawing t [ Continue Reading ]