Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. ; ; , notes....

EXPOSITION This chapter reinforces many precept given previously. PROVERBS 29:1 HE THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK; literally, _a man of reproofs—_one_ _who has had a long experience of rebukes and warnings. Compare "a man of sorrows" (Isaiah 53:3). The hardening of the neck is a metaphor derived from obstinate draught animals who will not submit to the yoke (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 27:8). Christ calls his yoke easy, and bids his followers

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN AUTHORITY,.... Or "are increased" g; either in number or in riches, or in power and dominion; are set in high places, and have the exercise of civil government and the execution of the laws in their hands; for the protection of good men in their civil and religious privileges, and for the punishment of evil men; for the encouraging of all that is good, and for the discouraging of everything that is bad; THE PEOPLE REJOICE; the whole body of the people, because of the public good; a state is happy under such an administration; everyone feels and enjoys the advantage of it; see 1 Kings 4:20; BUT WHEN THE WICKED BEARETH RULE, THE PEOPLE MOURN; or "groan" h, or "will groan", under their tyranny and oppression, and because of the sad state of things; the number of good men is lessened, being cut off, or obliged to flee; wicked men a

CHAPTER 29 THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous Chapter s. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb shows that the author is not Solomon but He who is perfect in knowledge. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Scripture abounds with examples of cases of hardening the neck and the heart, like Pharaoh, Ahab and others. This proverb will be finally proven to be the truth when an ungodly age will end with judgment for those who were often reproved and continue in sin. Once more the sin of flattery is mentioned. “A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet” Proverbs 29:5. Flattery is akin to lying and can never be right, but is always a mistake, which results in the gravest consequences. More servants

PROVERBS 29:2. _cf._ Proverbs 11:10 f., Proverbs 28:12. Proverbs 29:4. he that exacteth gifts: lit. a man of presents. Proverbs 29:9 b. Who is the subject? If it is the wise man, the meaning is that however he treats his opponent, seriously or lightly, he cannot end the matter. If it is the fool, the thought will be that he shows no decorum of manner. The proverb seems directed against a wise man's going to law with a fool....

THE RIGHTEOUS. righteous ones. IN AUTHORITY. increase, not necessarily in numbers, but in greatness. Compare Proverbs 29:16, and see note on Proverbs 4:10, and the next clause. THE WICKED. a lawless one. Hebrew. _rasha'._ App-44. BEARETH RULE. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read the plural here: "bear rule"....

_in authority_ This rendering is supported by the parallelism, but it is relegated to the margin in R.V. The rendering, _increased_, R.V. text, A.V. marg., gives the more usual meaning of the Heb. word, See Proverbs 28:28, and Proverbs 29:16 below. _the wicked_ Or, _a wicked man_, R.V. The word is singular, but may be taken with A.V. collectively, ἀρχόντων δὲ ἀσεβῶν, LXX.; cum impii sumserint principatum, Vulg....

CHAPTER 29 TEXT Proverbs 29:1-9 1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 2. When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh. 3. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance. 4. The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it. 5. A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps. 6. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. 7. The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know it. 8. Scoffers set a city in a flame;

KINGS AND FATHERS 3. Cp. the prodigal son (Luke 15)....

LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 29 V1 A man might refuse to change his behaviour, even if many people try to correct him. A terrible trouble will suddenly ruin that man’s life. No remedy can save him. V2 When good people succeed, everybody is happy. When wicked people rule, everybody suffers. V3 A man’s wisdom brings joy to his father....