Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY: BUT FOOLS DIE FOR WANT OF WISDOM. "Feed" with instruction, guidance, and consolation () "But fools" not only do not spiritually feed others, but themselves "die for want of wisdom?" "The lips of the righteous," full of wisdom, are opposed to the fool's "want of wisdom" in heart, and therefore in speech. "Feed" is opposed to "die." The righteous feed others, and therefore shall live eternally (). 'Fools want wisdom,' and therefore shall "die" eternally....

1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties. Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 10:3. Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Proverbs 10:4. Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Proverbs 10:5. Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Proverbs 10:6. Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings....

FEED - The Hebrew word, like ποιμαίνειν _poimainein_, includes the idea of guiding as well as nourishing; doing a shepherd’s work in both. FOR WANT OF WISDOM - Some prefer, through him who wanteth understanding, referring to a person. The wise guides others to safety; the fool, empty-headed, and empty-hearted, involves others like himself in destruction....

EXPOSITION VERSE 1-22:16 PART III. FIRST GREAT COLLECTION (375) OF SOLOMONIC PROVERBS. VERSE 1-12:28 First section. The sections are noted by their commencing usually with the words, "a wise son." PROVERBS 10:1 THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. This is the title of the new part of the book; it is omitted in the Septuagint. There is some kind of loose connection in the grouping of these proverbs, but it is difficult to follow. "Ordo frustra quaeritur ubi nullus fuit observatus," says Mart. Geier. Wordsworth considers the present chapter to contain exemplifications of the principles and results of the two ways of life displayed in the preceding nine chapters. The antitheti

THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY,.... Not their bodies; words are but wind, and will not feed; it is not enough to say to the distressed, "be ye warmed and filled", and give nothing; unless this can be understood of obtaining food for others by their prayers, as Jarchi interprets it: but the souls of many; these the righteous feed, by communicating the spiritual knowledge and understanding of divine things they are partakers of; by setting before them the bread of life, the honey and milk of the Gospel, they have under their tongue; and by the good counsel and advice, comforts and admonitions, they give them; see Jeremiah 3:15; BUT FOOLS DIE FOR WANT OF WISDOM: not a corporeal death, which is common to men of every rank and quality; wise men die even as fools; but they continue under the power of a spiritual death, for want of enlightening and quickening grace, and so

II. THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON: CHAPTER S 10--19:19 Beginning with the tenth chapter we have the collection of proverbs given by inspiration through Solomon. In this section the personal address, “My son,” and the personal exhortations are missing. It will be noticed that each verse in this section contains a proverb, consisting each of two lines, mostly of an antithetic character, except Proverbs 19:7, which has three lines instead of two (a tristich). It is impossible to give a detailed analysis of these Chapter s, nor can we take up each proverb separately for meditation. This must be left to each reader. By comparing Scripture with Scripture, and a prayerful study of these terse sayings, the heavenly wisdom given in these Chapter s can readily be found. There is no end to practical application. Yet even in these Chapter s a certain order is maintained. The contrast in each chap

PROVERBS 10:2 (_cf._ Psalms 3:7). RIGHTEOUSNESS: the growth of the conception of righteousness is an important subject. As in the Pss., there is a specific class the righteous opposed to the wicked. The righteous are generally synonymous with the poor and afflicted remnant, sometimes equivalent to the Hasidim of the Greek period. In general the tendency of the conception of righteousness is towards a specific moral character, rather than towards the fulfilment of legal duties. This is important in view of the implied contrast in the Synoptic Gospels between the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and such a righteousness as our Lord taught to be the condition of entrance into the kingdom of God (_cf._ Matthe

FEED. shepherd: i.e. instruct. Illustrations: Job (Proverbs 4:3; Proverbs 4:4; Proverbs 29:21; Proverbs 29:22); David (Psalms 78:70); Peter (Acts 4:1); Philip (Acts 8:5); Paul and Barnabas (Acts 11:26; Acts 14:22); Judas and Silas

_feed_ In the wider sense perhaps which the word commonly has, _supply the wants of, as a shepherd does_....

THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY— i.e. _Instruct many:_ and so it is rendered in several of the versions....