CHAPTER XXIV _Do not be envious. Of the house wisely built. Counsel necessary_ _in war. Save life when thou canst. Of honey and the honey-comb._ _Of the just that falleth seven times. We should not rejoice at_ _the misfortune of others. Ruin of the wicked. Fear God and the_ _king. Prepare thy w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:3. _THROUGH WISDOM IS A HOUSE BLINDED_] That is, a family; household affairs. Proverbs 9:1, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:5. _A WISE MAN_ IS _STRONG._] His wisdom enables him to construct a great variety of machines, by which, under his own influence, he can do the labour of a hundred or even a thousand men. But in all cases _wisdom_ gives _power_ and _influence_; and he who _is wise to salvation_ can... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:6. _BY WISE COUNSEL THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAR_] Proverbs 20:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:7. _A FOOL - OPENETH NOT HIS MOUTH IN THE GATE._] Is not put into public offices of trust and responsibility.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:9. _THE THOUGHT OF FOOLISHNESS_ IS _SIN_] זמת אולת חטאת _zimmath ivveleth chattath_. "The device of folly is transgression;" or, "an evil purpose is sinful;" or, perhaps more literally, "the device of the foolish is sin." It has been variously understood by the _versions_. "The cu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:10. IF _THOU FAINT_] If thou give way to discouragement and despair _in the day of adversity_ - time of trial or temptation. _THY STRENGTH_ IS _SMALL._] צר כחכה _tsar cochachah_, thy _strength_ is _contracted_. So the old MS. Bible excellently: _Gif_ _sliden thou dispeire, in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:11. _IF THOU FORBEAR TO DELIVER_] If thou seest the innocent taken by the hand of lawless power or superstitious zeal, and they are about to be put to death, thou shouldst rise up in their behalf, boldly plead for them, testify to their innocence when thou knowest it; and thus thou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:13. _AND THE HONEY-COMB_] I have often had occasion to remark how much finer the flavour of honey is in the honey-comb than it is after it has been _expressed_ from it, and exposed to the action of the air. But it has been asserted that the _honey-comb_ is _never eaten_; it must b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:14. _SO_ SHALL _THE KNOWLEDGE OF WISDOM_ BE _UNTO THY SOUL_] True religion, experimental godliness, shall be to thy soul as the honey-comb is to thy mouth. _THEN THERE SHALL BE A REWARD, AND THY EXPECTATION SHALL NOT BE_ _CUT OFF._] This is precisely the same with that in the pre... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:15. _THE DWELLING OF THE RIGHTEOUS_] צדיק _tsaddik_, the man who is walking unblameably in all the testimonies of God; who is rendering to every man his due.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:16. _FOR A JUST_ MAN] צדיק _tsaddik_, the _righteous_, the same person mentioned above. _FALLETH SEVEN TIMES_] Gets _very often_ into distresses through his _resting place_ being _spoiled_ by the _wicked man_, the robber, the spoiler of the desert, _lying in wait_ for this purpose... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:17. _REJOICE NOT WHEN THINE ENEMY FALLETH_, (into this mischief,) _AND LET NOT THINE HEART BE GLAD WHEN HE STUMBLETH_] When he meets with any thing that injures him; for God will not have thee to avenge thyself, or _feel any disposition_ contrary to love; for if thou do, the Lord w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:18. _AND HE TURN AWAY HIS WRATH FROM HIM._] Wrath is here taken for the effect of wrath, punishment; and the meaning must be as paraphrased above-lest he take the punishment from _him_, and inflict it upon _thee_. And in this way _Coverdale_ understood it: "Lest the Lorde be angry,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:20. _FOR THERE SHALL BE NO REWARD TO THE EVIL MAN_] אחרית _acharith_. There shall not be the _future state_ of _blessedness_ to the wicked. Proverbs 24:14. _His candle shall be put out_; his _prosperity_ shall finally cease, or he shall have no _posterity_. Some have thought that t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:21. _MY SON, FEAR THOU THE LORD AND THE KING_] Pay to each the homage due: to the LORD, Divine honour and adoration; to the _king_, civil respect, civil honour, and political obedience. _MEDDLE NOT WITH THEM THAT ARE GIVEN TO CHANGE_] עם שונים אל תתערב _im shonim al titharab_: "An... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:22. _THE RUIN OF THEM BOTH?_] Of them who do not _fear_ the LORD; and of _them_ that do not _reverence_ the KING.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:23. _THESE_ THINGS _ALSO_ BELONG _TO THE WISE._] גם אלה לחכמים _gam elleh lachachamim_, "These also to wise." This appears to be a _new section_; and perhaps, what follows belongs to _another collection_. Probably fragments of sayings collected by wise men from the Proverbs of Solo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:26. _KISS_ HIS _LIPS_] Shall treat him with affection and respect.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:27. _PREPARE THY WORK WITHOUT_] Do nothing without a _plan_. In _winter_ prepare seed, implements, tackle, geers, c., for _seed-time and harvest_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:28. _BE NOT A WITNESS_] Do not be forward to offer thyself to bear testimony against a neighbour, in a matter which may prejudice him, where the essential claims of justice do not require such interference; and especially do not do this in a spirit of _revenge_, because he has inju... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 24:30. _I WENT BY THE FIELD OF THE SLOTHFUL_] This is a most instructive _parable_; is exemplified every day in a variety of forms; and is powerfully descriptive of the _state_ of many a _blackslider_ and _trifler_ in religion. _Calmet_ has an excellent note on this passage. I shall g... [ Continue Reading ]