Proverbs 29:4

The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. HE THAT RECEIVETH GIFTS OVERTHROWETH IT - literally, 'a man of oblations.' Terumoth is elsewhere sacred oblations. So here, 'a man who wishes oblations to be offered him as if he were a priest' (Rabbi Salomon). (.)...

Verse Proverbs 29:4. _HE THAT RECEIVETH GIFTS_] This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the _Magna Charta_, or _great_ _charter of liberties_. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his _right_, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in _presents to the king,_ _queen, and their favourites_, to get the case decided in his favour....

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

THE KING BY JUDGMENT ESTABLISHETH THE LAND,.... By executing, judgment and justice among his subjects, he establishes the laws of the land, and the government of it; he secures its peace and prosperity, and preserves his people in the possession at their properties and privileges; and makes them rich and powerful, and the state stable and flourishing, so that it continues firm to posterity; such a king was Solomon, 2 Chronicles 9:8; BUT HE THAT RECEIVETH GIFTS OVERTHROWETH IT; that, is, a king that does so; Gersom observes that he is not called a king, because such a man is not worthy of the name, who takes gifts and is bribed by them to pervert judgment and justice; whereby the laws of the nation are violated, and the persons and properties of his subjects become the prey of wicked men; and so the state is subverted and falls to ruin: it is in the original text, "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....

HE. a man. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14. RECEIVETH GIFTS. is open to bribes....

_receiveth_ The R.V., _exacteth_, is scarcely an improvement, for it is enough to "overthrow the land" that the king be open to receive gifts. The Heb., _a man of offerings_, will bear either SENSE. The rendering of R.V. marg., _that imposeth tribute_, sacrifices the contrast in the two members of the proverb, between the impartial administration of justice and the venality and corruption which are the curse of Oriental courts....

HE THAT RECEIVETH GIFTS— i.e. _He who rigorously exacteth tribute,_ or requires rich presents to be made to him. Houbigant renders the verse, _The king who judgeth justly establisheth the land, he who exacteth gifts overturneth it._...

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;