Proverbs 1:9

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. FOR THEY (SHALL BE) AN ORNAMENT OF GRACE UNTO THY HEAD, AND CHAINS ABOUT THY NECK - "an ornament" ( liwªyat (H3880)) - literally, an addition, an ornamental accession. As the young are attracted by ornaments on the head and neck, the badges of distinction, so he tells them, This heavenly instruction will grace both your head and your whole outward bearing (cf. Proverbs 3:22; Isaiah 61:10). As the crown on the head, and the chains on the neck, are ever present, and cannot easily be forgotten (cf. Jeremiah 2:32), so the young a...

7-9 Fools are persons who have no true wisdom, who follow their own devices, without regard to reason, or reverence for God. Children are reasonable creatures, and when we tell them what they must do, we must tell them why. But they are corrupt and wilful, therefore with the instruction there is need of a law. Let Divine truths and commands be to us most honourable; let us value them, and then they shall be so to us....

Verse Proverbs 1:9. _AN ORNAMENT OF GRACE UNTO THY HEAD, AND CHAINS_] That is, filial respect and obedience will be as ornamental to thee as _crowns, diadems_, and golden chains and pearls are to others. Political dignity has been distinguished in many nations by a _chain of gold about the neck_. Solomon seems here to intimate, if we follow the metaphor, that the surest way of coming to distinguished eminence, in civil matters, is to act according to the principles of _true wisdom_, proceeding from the _fear of God_....

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....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 1:1 PART I. THE TITLE AND SUPERSCRIPTION. The superscription of the Proverbs, which extends from verse 1 to verse 6, furnishes us with an epitome in short and concise language of the general scope and bearing of the book, and points out its specific utility, both to the inexperienced and to those already wise. Thus (1) in Proverbs 1:1 it gives the name of the author to whom the proverbs are attributed; (2) in Proverbs 1:2 it declares the aim, object, or design of the collection, which is to lead to the acquirement of wisdom genera

FOR THEY [SHALL BE] AN ORNAMENT OF GRACE UNTO THY HEAD,.... The instructions and laws of parents being attended unto and obeyed by children, render them more lovely and amiable than any beautiful ornament whatever that can be put upon their heads; AND CHAINS ABOUT THY NECK; be that unto them as chains of gold are to the neck, beautify and adorn them; so good works, done in obedience to God and parents, are ornaments of great price, and preferable to any outward adorning whatever; see 1 Timothy 2:9. The allusions are unto, and the metaphors taken from, those things which are most pleasing and acceptable to children, as fine top knots and golden chains....

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS A detailed analysis, as we have made it in other books, cannot be fully made in this collection of proverbs. Most of them are detached and each has a message by itself. To interpret each separately, to point out the many spiritual lessons, as well as prophetic application, to show their relation to other portions of the Word of God and to explain them by incidents taken from the Bible, would require volumes; and even then the spiritual meaning would not be exhausted. All we can do is to hint at their meaning and give some annotations which, under God, may be helpful in the closer study of this book I. INSTRUCTIONS OF WISDOM GIVEN TO SOLOMON CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The Introduction (Proverbs 1:1)_ 2. Warning against evil companions and covetousness (Pro

PROVERBS 1-9. FIRST SECTION. THE PRAISE OF WISDOM. Proverbs 1:1. Title, either of the whole book, or of this particular collection. The word for PROVERB, _mâ shâ l,_ has a wide significance _in Heb. (see BDB)._ Probably it originally expressed a comparison or allusion, drawn from history or nature, and employed to convey a taunt or satire, hence the rendering taunt-song. For different meanings _cf._ Numbers 21:27; Deuteronomy 28:37; Job 13:12; Isaiah 14:4;...

THEY: i.e. instruction and law. ORNAMENT. garland. NECK. Showing cheerful and willing obedience, in contrast with stiffneckedness (Exodus 32:9) and pride (Isaiah 3:16). See also Genesis 41:42....

First Address. Chap. Proverbs 1:8-19 Proverbs 1:8. In these two verses the writer passes to direct appeal. The form of appeal, _My son_, which is continually repeated throughout these opening Chapter s, strikes the key-note of the strain in which all the succeeding exhortations and counsels are cast. It indicates not only the fatherly relation which the Teacher assumes towards the young and inexperienced whom he has undertaken to instruct, but also the true source and authority of the teaching he will give them. The Law, though not clothed, as we have seen (_Introd_. pp. 12, 13) in this Book in its Jewish garb, is recognised in its eternal principles. "The instruction of the father," and "the law of the mother" are to be accepted with childlike submission and unquestioning obedience, and will