Proverbs 21:27

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED IS ABOMINATION (UNDER AN CIRCUMSTANCES; ); HOW MUCH MORE (WHEN) HE BRINGETH IT WITH A WICKED MIND? - harbouring some wicked purpose at the very time. As Balak and Balaam offered their sacrifices with a view to induce God to curse His people Israel (Numbers 23:1; ); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:7) and Jezebel, as a cloak for treachery (1 Kings 21:9); the adulteress, to lull her dupe ...

Verse Proverbs 21:27. WHEN _HE BRINGETH IT WITH A WICKED MIND?_] If such a person even bring the _sacrifices_ and _offerings_ which God _requires,_ they are an abomination to him, because the man is _wicked_; and if such offerings be _imperfect_ in themselves, or of goods _ill-gotten_, or offered by _constraint of custom_, c., they are doubly abominable....

A lower depth even than Proverbs 15:8. The wicked man may connect his devotion with his guilt, offer his sacrifice and vow his vow (as men have done under paganism or corrupted Christianity) for success in the perpetration of a crime....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 21:1 THE KING'S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD, AS THE RIVERS OF WATER. We are to think of the little channels used for irrigation. As these are altogether under the gardener's control, so the heart of the king, who might seem to have no superior, is directed by God. HE TURNETH IT WHITHERSOEVER HE WILL. By hidden influences and providential arrangements God disposes the monarch to order his government so as to carry out his designs, to spread around joy and plenty. The system of irrigation signified in this passage is still to be seen in Eastern lands. "Flower beds and gardens of herbs are always made at a little lower level than the surrounding ground, and are divided into small squares, a slight edging of earth banking the whole round on each side. Water is then let in, and floods the entire sur

THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED [IS] ABOMINATION,.... That is, to the Lord, as in Proverbs 15:8; and as it is here added in the Septuagint and Arabic versions; HOW MUCH MORE, [WHEN] HE BRINGETH IT WITH A WICKED MIND? the Arabic version is, "with a mind alien from the law"; or when it is not brought according to law; when it is a corrupt thing, that which is torn, lame, or sick, or robbery for burnt sacrifice; when it is done with an evil intention, to cover sin, to atone for without repenting of it or forsaking it; that they may go on in sin with impunity, and be allowed to commit it; for which cause Balak and Balsam offered sacrifices, which is the instance Jarchi produces; and indeed every religious action not done in faith, and love, and sincerity, and with a view to the glory of God, but in hypocrisy and with selfish views, in order to procure acceptance with God and jus

CHAPTER 21 PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS AS TO LIFE AND CONDUCT In the proverbs of this chapter the Lord is mentioned five times. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” Proverbs 21:1). The rivers of water are “water-courses,” the irrigation system known to the ancients, opening and shutting sluices directed the flow of the waters. Thus the Lord governs the king's heart as He directs the affairs of men. The Lord pondereth the hearts Proverbs 21:2). The same truth is stated in Proverbs 16:2; self-justification suits the natural man but the Lord testeth all hearts. How well it is to remember in all our conduct, that truth, so comforting to the believer, expr

PROVERBS 21:1. WATERCOURSES: not the natural brooks and wadys of Palestine, but the artificial irrigation canals of Egypt or Babylonia, which could be diverted in any direction at will. Proverbs 21:4. Apparently two unconnected lines belonging to different couplets. A connexion can be established only by forced exegesis. The Heb. is lit. lofty of look and arrogant of heart, the tillage of the wicked is sin. RV lamp for tillage depends on a different pointing, but does not improve the sense. Proverbs 21:6. Lit. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue (is) a driven breath, seekers of death. RV clearly inserts more than the text warrants to make sense of...

MIND. purpose....

_with a wicked mind_ In any case _the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination_, even when he brings it in a mere formal spirit, because of the moral character of the offerer (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:13-15). But _when he bringeth it with a wicked mind_, or intent, to purchase immunity by it from the punishment of sin (_to atone for wickedness_, R.V. marg.) it is _much more_so. The sacrifice of Cain was _an abomination_, because he was _wicked_(Genesis 4:5; 1 John 3:12). How much more hateful would it have been, if he had brought it with the wicked intention of atoning by it for the murder of his brother? Comp.

TEXT Proverbs 21:21-31 21. He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor. 22. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles. 24. The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride. 25. The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor. 26. There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. 27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind! 28. A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as t