Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. WITHOUT COUNSEL (HEBREW, SOD-LITERALLY, SECRET COUNSEL) PURPOSES ARE DISAPPOINTED: BUT IN THE MULTITUDE OF (GOOD) COUNSELORS THEY ARE (EACH) ESTABLISHED. This is the force of the plural noun with the verb singular. Compare with this verse ....

Verse Proverbs 15:22. _BUT IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELLORS_] Proverbs 11:14. But רב יועצים _rob yoatsim_ might be translated, chief or master of the council, the prime minister....

COUNSELLORS - The Hebrew word, used almost as an official title 1 Chronicles 27:32; Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 19:11, brings before us the picture of the council-chamber of Eastern countries, arranged for a solemn conference of the wise....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 15:1 A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH. Two things are here to be observed: an answer should be given—the injured person should not wrap himself in sullen silence; and that answer should be gentle and conciliatory. This is tersely put in a mediaeval rhyme— "_Frangitur ira gravis_ _Quando est respensio suavis_." "Anger, however great, Is checked by answer sweet." Septuagint, "A submissive (ὑποπίπτουσα)_ _answer averteth wrath." Thus Abigail quelled the excessive anger of David by her judicious submission (1 Samuel 25:24, etc.). BUT GRIEVOUS WORDS STIR UP ANGER. A word that causes vexation makes anger rise the higher. Ὁργῆς ματαίας εἰσὶν

WITHOUT COUNSEL PURPOSES ARE DISAPPOINTED,.... If a man determines and resolves upon a matter, and at once hastily and precipitately goes about it, without mature deliberation, without consulting with himself, and taking the advice of others in forming a scheme to bring about his designs, it generally comes to nothing; see Luke 14:28; or "without a secret" s without keeping one; if a man divulges his intentions, it is much if they are not frustrated; so the Targum, "vain are the thoughts (or designs) where there is no secret;'' if a man makes no secret of what he designs to do, he is easily counterworked, and his purposes disappointed; BUT IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELLORS THEY ARE ESTABLISHED; his purposes are, as in Proverbs 20:18; having the advice

CHAPTER 15 THE BETTER THINGS One can read through the proverbs recorded in this chapter and ask the question, What are the better things? A soft answer which turneth away wrath is better than grievous words Proverbs 15:1. The tongue of the righteous which useth knowledge aright is better than the mouth of fools Proverbs 15:2. Better is the prayer of the upright than the sacrifice of the wicked Proverbs 15:8). Better is he that followeth after righteousness than the way of the wicked, for the one the Lord delights in, the other is an abomination Proverbs 15:9). Better is the heart that seeketh knowledge than to feed on fool

PROVERBS 15. This chapter makes no new departure. Proverbs concerning the moral government of the world again occupy the chief place. One (Proverbs 15:11) is noteworthy as showing an extended conception of the sphere of God's government. Earlier Heb. religion regarded Sheol as outside the kingdom of God; there the dead do not praise or remember Him. We have also some more psychological proverbs dealing with the value of cheerfulness. PROVERBS 15:2. UTTERETH ARIGHT: paraphrase rather than translation, lit. makes good. Read drops (as Deuteronomy 32:2; Job 29:22), a more natural contrast to pours out in...

COUNSELLORS. But they must _be_ "counsellors". THEY ARE. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac read "counsel is"....

TEXT Proverbs 15:12-22 12. A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise. 13. A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. 14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly. 15. All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast. 16. Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17. Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18. A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19. The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is

1. GRIEVOUS] i.e. annoying. 'If one pour in hot water let the other pour in cold.'...