Proverbs 24:12

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? IF [ kiy (H3588 ), BUT IF: FOR IF] THOU SAYEST, BEHOLD, WE KNEW IT NOT (I:E., THE PARTICULARS OF HIS CASE; OR ANY WAY TO DELIVER HIM); DOTH NOT HE THAT PONDERETH THE HEART (Proverbs 16:2; Proverbs 21:2) consider (it)?-whether thy excuse be a valid or feigned one? whether thy reason for not delivering thy neighbour was selfish love of personal ease and safety, unconcern about others, fear of man, or real ignorance and inability And...

As Proverbs 24:11 warned men against acquiescing in an unrighteous tyranny, so this denounces the tendency to hush up a wrong with the false plea of ignorance. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:8. Proverbs 24:10 thus forms a complete and connected whole....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 24:1 We return here to the more usual form, the tetrastich. BE NOT THOU ENVIOUS AGAINST EVIL MEN (see on Proverbs 23:17, where a similar warning is given, and comp. Proverbs 23:19 below). "Men of wickedness," wholly given over to evil. NEITHER DESIRE TO BE WITH THEM. Their company is pollution, and association with them makes you a partner in their sinful doings. The Septuagint prefaces the paragraph with the personal address, υἱέ_ _"son." PROVERBS 24:2 For their heart studie

IF THOU SAYEST, BEHOLD, WE KNEW IT NOT,.... The danger the person was in; or the innocency of his cause; or what method to take to deliver him; or that it was in our power to do anything for him; so the Vulgate Latin version, "if thou sayest, strength is not sufficient": or "we knew him not" k, who he was or what he was; had no knowledge of him, or acquaintance with him, and so did not think ourselves under any obligation to regard his case; such excuses will not do; DOTH NOT HE THAT PONDERETH THE HEART CONSIDER [IT]? he that searches the heart and tries it, and weighs every thought of it, and excuse it makes, considers and understands whether it is a mere excuse or not; though such excuses may appear plausible to men, yet to God that knows the heart they are of no avail; for he knows it to be a mere shift, and that it was unwillingness to help the distressed, and a neglect of their cas...

CHAPTER 24 INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED In the final instructions of this chapter we find first a description of the evil men. Their heart studieth destruction; their lips talk mischief. This theme is repeatedly referred to in this chapter. In Proverbs 24:15 the evil man is addressed not to lay wait for the righteous and not to spoil his resting place. The Lord takes care of the righteous; he may be overcome by misfortunes seven times, yet will he rise again. Different it is with the wicked when he falls into mischief. Yet there must be no rejoicing over the fall of the enemy, nor gladness when he stumbled. This displeaseth the Lord. Still higher is the command of the New Testament, “Love your enemies; ... recompense no man evil for evil; ... overcome evil with good.” There is to be no fretting because of evil men nor envy ...

PROVERBS 24:7 A. Lit. Wisdom is corals to the fool. RV involves a change m the text, which gives perhaps the best sense that can be made of an obviously corrupt stanza. Proverbs 24:9. thought: the word means plan or device, and is used in both a good and a bad sense in Pr. Here the meaning is that sin is the kind of plan which folly engages in, sin is folly's plan. Proverbs 24:10. An incomplete aphorism. As it stands its probable meaning is, If thou art slack, thy strength will be narrow (_i.e._ restricted) in the day of trouble. Proverbs 24:11 f. The Heb. is not unambiguous and shows

KNEW IT NOT. we knew not of it. SOUL. Hebrew. _nephesh._ App-13....

_knew it not_ Lit. KNEW NOT THIS (_thing_, or _man_)....

DISCOURSE: 807 THE FOLLY OF VAIN EXCUSES Proverbs 24:11. _If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his works?_ OFFICIAL influence is a valuable talent: but to use it aright is often very difficult, and painful to the feelings. Hence those who are possessed of it, are apt to shrink back, when the exercise of it is likely to involve them in much trouble; and they will connive at abuses, which they cannot easily prevent. For such connivance they have excuses ever ready at hand; “They were not aware of the circumstances;” or, “They thought their interposition would be to no purpose.” But power and responsibility are inseparabl

CHAPTER 24 TEXT Proverbs 24:1-12 1. Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them: 2. For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief. 3. Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; 4. And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 5. A wise man is strong; Yes, a man of knowledge increaseth might. 6. For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8. He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker. 9. The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.