Proverbs 17 - Introduction
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Better is a dry morsel_ “Bread with pulse, or husks,” as Bochart and Houbigant interpret it; which was the food of meaner persons; _and quietness therewith_ Peace, love, and concord among the members of a family; _than a house full of sacrifices_ Of the remainder of sacrifices, of which they used t... [ Continue Reading ]
_A wise servant shall have rule_, &c. “Probity and prudence are so much better than mere riches and noble birth, that a wise and faithful servant sometimes arrives at the honour of being appointed the governor of a son, whose folly and wickedness make him a discredit to his family;” _and shall have... [ Continue Reading ]
_A wicked doer_ A malicious and mischievous man, whose practice and delight it is to bring trouble upon others; _giveth heed to false lips_ Hebrew, שׂפת און, _the lip of iniquity_, to any wicked counsels or speeches; to false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso mocketh the poor_ See on Proverbs 14:31; _and he that is glad at calamities_ At the miseries of other men; _shall not be unpunished_ The cup shall be put into his hands, Ezekiel 25:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children's children are the crown of old men_ It is an honour to parents, when they are old, to leave children, and children's children growing up, that tread in the steps of their virtues, and are likely to maintain and advance the reputation of their families, and to serve their generation accord... [ Continue Reading ]
_Excellent speech_ Either, 1st, Discourse concerning difficult, high, and excellent things, far above his capacity: or, 2d, Lofty, eloquent speech, which fools often affect: or, 3d, Virtuous and godly discourse; _becometh not a fool_ Either one properly so called, or, as the word _fool_ is most comm... [ Continue Reading ]
_A gift is as a precious stone_, &c. “A gift is so tempting that it can no more be refused than a lovely jewel can, by him to whom it is presented; and such is its power, that it commonly prevails over all men, despatches all business, carries all causes; and, in a word, effects whatsoever a man des... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that covereth a transgression_ That passes by and buries in oblivion a transgression that hath been committed against himself; or that concealeth, as far as he may, other men's faults against their friends or neighbours; _seeketh love_ Takes the best course to preserve friendships and to make hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_A reproof entereth more into a wise man_ Penetrates deeper into the mind of an ingenuous person, and produces a greater reformation in him, than a hundred stripes will do for the amendment of an obstinate fool.... [ Continue Reading ]
_An evil man seeketh only rebellion_ Seeketh nothing but his own will; and being so refractory that he hath shaken off all reverence for God and his governors, he is wholly bent upon mischief, and cannot be reclaimed; _therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him_ Some dreadful judgment or... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let a bear robbed of her whelps_ When she is most cruel and fierce; _meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly_ That is, in the heat of his lust or passion, because the danger is greater, all things considered, and more unavoidable. A man may more easily stop, escape from, or guard against, an en... [ Continue Reading ]
_The beginning of strife_, &c. “Those who begin a quarrel are like those who make a breach in a bank, and give an opening to the waters of a rapid river; which they can never be sure to stop before it produces the most fatal and calamitous events. This painting admirably represents the effects of ly... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that justifieth the wicked_ That acquitteth him as innocent by a judicial sentence, or otherwise approveth or commendeth his evil practices; _and he that condemneth the just_ Or, contributes to his condemnation, defeats the end of government, which is to protect the good, and punish the bad; and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool_, &c. The Hebrew is literally, _Wherefore is this? A price in the hand of a fool to procure wisdom, and not a heart?_ The question implies, that the _price_ is unworthily placed, and that it is to no purpose, or benefit of the possessor. All the anci... [ Continue Reading ]
_A friend loveth at all times_ A sincere and hearty friend not only loves in prosperity, but also in adversity, when false friends forsake us; _and a brother_ Who is so, not only by name and blood, but by brotherly affection; _is born for adversity_ Was sent into the world for this among other ends,... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man, &c., striketh hands_ In token of his becoming surety; of which phrase, and the thing intended by it, see notes on Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15. This proverb is fitly placed after that in Proverbs 17:17, to intimate that although the laws of friendship oblige us to love and help our friends i... [ Continue Reading ]
_He loveth transgression that loveth strife_ Because contention is in itself a sin, and is commonly accompanied or followed with many sins, as detraction, malice, hatred, pride, &c.; _and he that exalteth his gate_ Namely, the gate of his house, that maketh it, and consequently his house, lofty and... [ Continue Reading ]
_A merry heart_ Cheerfullness of mind, especially that which is solid, and ariseth from the testimony of a good conscience; _doeth good like a medicine_ Even to the body; it contributes very much to the restoration or preservation of bodily health and vigour, as physicians observe and experience sho... [ Continue Reading ]
_A wicked man_ Whether judge or witness; _taketh a gift out of the bosom_ In secret, as this phrase is expounded Proverbs 21:14, being privily conveyed from the bosom of the giver into his own bosom; _to pervert the ways of judgment_ To give or procure an unjust sentence. Bishop Patrick's paraphrase... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wisdom is before him_ Hebrew, את פני, _in the face_, or _countenance, of him that hath understanding_ His wisdom appears in his very countenance, or in his gestures, or looks, which are modest, composed, and grave. Or, rather, wisdom is _before him_, or in his eye, he never loses sight of it; it is... [ Continue Reading ]
_A foolish son_, &c. This was said before, Proverbs 15:20, and elsewhere; but he here repeats it, as a point of great moment and constant use, and as a powerful motive to oblige both children to conduct themselves wisely and dutifully toward their parents, as they would not be thought to be unnatura... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hath knowledge spareth_ Hebrew, חושׂךְ, _restraineth, his words_ As at other times, so especially when he is under a provocation to anger or any other passion, in which case fools utter all their minds. _And a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit_ Which he shows, as in various oth... [ Continue Reading ]