The long exhortation Proverbs 1–9, characterized by the frequent recurrence of the words “my son,” is of the nature of a preface to the collection of the “Proverbs of Solomon” Proverbs 10:1. On Proverbs 1:1, see the introduction to Proverbs.... [ Continue Reading ]
The writer’s purpose is to educate. He is writing what might be called an ethical handbook for the young, though not for the young only. Of all books in the Old Testament, this is the one which we may think of as most distinctively educational. A comparison of it with a similar manual, the “sayings... [ Continue Reading ]
WISDOM - Not the same word as in Proverbs 1:2; better, perhaps, thoughtfulness. JUSTICE - Rather, righteousness. The word in the Hebrew includes the ideas of truth and beneficence as well as “justice.” JUDGMENT - The teaching of the Proverbs is to lead us to pass a right sentence upon human action... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse points out the two classes for which the book will be useful: (1) the “simple,” literally the “open,” the open-hearted, the minds ready to receive impressions for good or evil Proverbs 1:22; and (2) the “young,” who need both knowledge and discipline. To these the teacher offers the “su... [ Continue Reading ]
But it is not for the young only that he writes. The “man of understanding” may gain “wise counsels,” literally, the power to “steer” his course rightly on the dangerous seas of life. This “steersmanship,” it may be noted, is a word almost unique to Proverbs (compare “counsel” in Proverbs 11:14; Pro... [ Continue Reading ]
The book has yet a further scope; these proverbs are to form a habit of mind. To gain through them the power of entering into the deeper meaning of other proverbs, is the end kept in view. Compare Matthew 13. The rendering “interpretation” spoils the parallelism of the two clauses, and fails to exp... [ Continue Reading ]
The beginning of wisdom is found in the temper of reverence and awe. The fear of the finite in the presence of the Infinite, of the sinful in the presence of the Holy (compare Job 42:5), this for the Israelite was the starting-point of all true wisdom. In the Book of Job 28:28 it appears as an oracl... [ Continue Reading ]
To the Israelite’s mind no signs or badges of joy or glory were higher in worth than the garland around the head, the gold chain around the neck, worn by kings and the favorites of kings Genesis 41:42; Daniel 5:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first great danger which besets the simple and the young is that of evil companionship. The only safety is to be found in the power of saying “No,” to all such invitations.... [ Continue Reading ]
The temptation against which the teacher seeks to guard his disciple is that of joining a band of highway robbers. The “vain men” who gathered around Jephthah Judges 11:3, the lawless or discontented who came to David in Adullam 1 Samuel 22:2, the bands of robbers who infested every part of the coun... [ Continue Reading ]
i. e., “We will be as all-devouring as Sheol. The destruction of those we attack shall be as sudden as that of those who go down quickly into the pit.” Some render the latter clause, and upright men as those that go down to the pit. “Pit” here is a synonym for Sheol, the great cavernous depth, the s... [ Continue Reading ]
The second form of temptation (see Proverbs 1:10 note) appeals to the main attraction of the robber-life, its wild communism, the sense of equal hazards and equal hopes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Strictly speaking, this is the first proverb (i. e., similitude) in the book; a proverb which has received a variety of interpretations. The true meaning seems to be as follows: “For in vain, to no purpose, is the net spread out openly. Clear as the warning is, it is in vain. The birds still fly in.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not robbery only, but all forms of covetousness are destructive of true life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom is personified. In the Hebrew the noun is a feminine plural, as though this Wisdom were the queen of all wisdoms, uniting in herself all their excellences. She lifts up her voice, not in solitude, but in the haunts of men “without,” i. e., outside the walls, in the streets, at the highest poi... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the Psalms 1:1 note. (1) The “simple,” literally, “open,” i. e. fatally open to evil; (2) the “scorners,” mocking at all good; (3) lastly, the “fools” in the sense of being hardened, obstinate, perverse, hating the knowledge they have rejected.... [ Continue Reading ]
The teaching of Divine Wisdom is essentially the same as that of the Divine Word John 7:38. “Turning,” repentance and conversion, this is what she calls the simple to. The promise of the Spirit is also like His John 14:26. And with the spirit there are to be also the “words” of Wisdom. Not the “spir... [ Continue Reading ]
The threats and warnings of Wisdom are also foreshadowings of the teaching of Jesus. There will come a time when “too late” shall be written on all efforts, on all remorse. Compare Matthew 25:10, Matthew 25:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the marginal reference. The scorn and derision with which men look on pride and malice, baffled and put to shame, has something that answers to it in the Divine Judgment. It is, however, significant that in the fuller revelation of the mind and will of the Father in the person of the Son no... [ Continue Reading ]
DESOLATION - Better, tempest. The rapid gathering of the clouds, the rushing of the mighty winds, are the fittest types of the suddenness with which in the end the judgment of God shall fall on those who look not for it. Compare Matthew 24:29 etc.; Luke 17:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is no arbitrary sentence. The fault was all along their own. The fruit of their own ways is death.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURNING - Wisdom had called the simple to “turn,” and they had turned, but it was “away” from her. For “prosperity” read carelessness. Not outward prosperity, but the temper which it too often produces, the easy-going indifference to higher truths, is that which destroys.... [ Continue Reading ]