XXVI. (1) AS RAIN IN HARVEST. — This was very unusual in Palestine (comp. 1 Samuel 12:17, _sqq._)_,_ and of course very unsuitable for carrying on the work of harvest. SO HONOUR IS NOT SEEMLY FOR A FOOL. — _i.e._, for a dull person, confident in his own wisdom (Proverbs 1:22). It only confirms him... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE BIRD BY WANDERING, AS THE SWALLOW BY FLYING. — Rather, _As the bird_ (any small one, especially the sparrow) _is made for wandering, and the swallow for flying_ (where it pleases), _so the curse causeless_ (_i.e.,_ spoken without reason) _shall not come_ (reach its destination). The Hebrew re... [ Continue Reading ]
ANSWER NOT A FOOL. — Comp. Proverbs 1:22. ACCORDING TO HIS FOLLY. — Do not lower yourself by disputing or arguing with him; he will not take in your meaning, and will think he has got the better of you, perhaps will insult you. It is noticeable that our Lord never answered a question which should n... [ Continue Reading ]
ANSWER A FOOL ACCORDING TO HIS FOLLY. — As his folly deserves, sharply and decisively, and in language suited to his comprehension.... [ Continue Reading ]
CUTTETH OFF THE FEET. — He wants his business done, but if he sends a fool to do it, he might as well cut off his messenger’s legs, for the business will not be transacted; nay, worse than this, he will “drink damage,” _i.e.,_ suffer positive mischief from the blundering of his emissary.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LEGS OF THE LAME ARE NOT EQUAL. — Better, perhaps. _The legs hang down from a lame man, and so is a parable_ (_useless_)_ in the mouth of fools;_ they can make no more use of it for the guidance of themselves or others, than can a lame man use his legs. (Comp. Luke 8:10.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE THAT BINDETH A STONE IN A SLING... — _i.e.,_ the stone is soon gone from the sling and seen no more, so honour and a fool soon part company. This seems on the whole the most probable rendering of this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A THORN GOETH UP INTO THE HAND OF A DRUNKARD. — Rather, (_As_)_ a thornbush_ (_which_)_ comes into the hand of a drunkard, so_ (_is_)_ a parable_ (_which comes_)_ into the mouth of fools._ They know not how to use it, and only do themselves and others harm by it. (Comp. 2 Peter 3:16.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GREAT GOD THAT FORMED ALL THINGS BOTH REWARDETH THE FOOL, AND REWARDETH TRANSGRESSORS. — If this rendering of the passage could stand, Matthew 6:2 might be quoted in illustration of it. If fools and transgressors will set their mind upon “husks” (Luke 15:16) instead of the food God has provided... [ Continue Reading ]
SO A FOOL RETURNETH TO HIS FOLLY. — Though he knows it to be folly, and ruinous to him: but vice has become to him a second nature, and he cannot, even if he would, escape from it. This is especially true of those who have given way to drink or impurity of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEST THOU A MAN WISE IN HIS OWN CONCEIT. — Comp. the warnings of Romans 12:16, and Revelation 3:17. THERE IS MORE HOPE OF A FOOL THAN OF HIM. — So the “publicans and harlots,” who had foolishly strayed from God, yet returned to Him at the preaching of the Saviour, while the Pharisees and lawyers “... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SLOTHFUL MAN SAITH, THERE IS A LION IN THE WAY... — See above on Proverbs 22:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SLOTHFUL HIDETH HIS HAND IN HIS BOSOM. — See above on Proverbs 19:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN MEN. — A round number. (Comp. Proverbs 26:25; Proverbs 6:31; Proverbs 24:16.) THAT CAN RENDER A REASON — _i.e._, give a sensible judgment on any matter submitted to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
MEDDLETH WITH STRIFE. — Rather, _that is excited with strife._ If quarrelling and taking revenge on our own account are forbidden (Romans 12:18), how much more is the mixing up of ourselves in the disputes of other persons. LIKE ONE THAT TAKETH A DOG BY THE EARS. — Who deserves to be bitten for his... [ Continue Reading ]
FIREBRANDS. — Arrows to which some blazing material was attached, in order that they might set on fire whatever they touched.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF A TALE-BEARER ARE AS WOUNDS. — See above on Proverbs 18:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
BURNING LIPS — _i.e._, burning with love, while there is an evil heart within. A POTSHERD COVERED WITH SILVER DROSS. — Pottery glazed with dross of silver, a well-known method of ornamentation. For similar proverbs, comp. Matthew 23:27; Luke 11:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN ABOMINATIONS. — See above on Proverbs 26:16, and comp. “seven spirits” (Matthew 12:45) and “seven devils” (Mark 16:9).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE HATRED IS COVERED BY DECEIT. — Rather, _hatred may cover itself by deceit_ (but) _his wickedness_ (_i.e.,_ of _the_ hater, implied in “hatred”) _will be displayed in the congregation, i.e.,_ openly, when a suitable opportunity for indulging his hatred occurs.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO DIGGETH A PIT SHALL FALL THEREIN, — A simile taken from hunters making pits as traps for wild animals. The same doctrine of retribution being brought upon the sinner’s head by God the righteous Judge is taught in Psalms 7:11, _sqq. _... [ Continue Reading ]
A LYING TONGUE HATETH THOSE THAT ARE AFFLICTED BY IT. — As the remembrance of them calls up his own wickedness to the mind of the offender. This is one reason why “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7), as being conscious of having rejected God’s love, and so hating to be reminded of H... [ Continue Reading ]