Bible Commentaries

A false balance = False balances.

abomination. See note on Proverbs 3:32.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

weight = stone. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the weight it represents. This proverb is repeated three times (Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10, Proverbs 20:23). Compare Leviticus 19:36. Deuteronomy 25:13-15, and Micah 6:11. There was a royal standard (2 Samuel 14:26).

When pride cometh, then, &c. Illustrations: Miriam (Numbers 12:10; Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-21); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30); Moab (. Zephaniah 2:8, Zephaniah 2:10); Nineveh (Zephaniah 2:15).

But with the lowly, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 41:16, Genesis 41:38, Genesis 41:39); Daniel (Daniel 2:20, Daniel 2:21. Compare Proverbs 2:6).

wisdom. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

integrity, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:4, Genesis 39:22, Genesis 39:23; Genesis 50:25. Hebrews 11:22).

the upright = upright ones.

perverseness, &c. = slipperiness. Illustrations: Israel (Deuteronomy 1:43, Deuteronomy 1:44); Balaam (Numbers 22:32; Numbers 31:8); Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:25; 1 Samuel 4:11); Saul (1 Samuel 15:23); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:3-6; 2 Samuel 15:18); Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:1-3, 2 Samuel 17:23); Ahab(1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 21:26; 1 Kings 22:34, 1 Kings 22:37); Jews (Jeremiah 34:8-22); Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9:9, Ezekiel 9:10).

trangsressors = traitors. Hebrew. bagad = faithless to covenant. Not the same word as in Proverbs 16:10; Proverbs 26:10; Proverbs 28:21; but the same as in all other passages in this book.

the day, &c. The day of [God's] wrath.

delivereth = rescueth. Hebrew. nazal here and in Proverbs 11:9, but not in verses: Proverbs 11:8, Proverbs 11:9, or 21.

perfect = without blemish or blame. Hebrew. tamim : used of sacrifices.

the wicked . . . wickedness = a lawless one . . . lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha". App-44. Not the same word as in Proverbs 11:21.

naughtiness. See note on Proverbs 6:12. [worthless].

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

expectation shall perish. Illustrations: Balaam's (Numbers 23:10; Numbers 31:8); Absalom's (2Sa 18. Compare Proverbs 20:20). Compare also Job 21:7-13 and Psalms 73:19. Luke 12:16-20.

expectation. Hebrew. kavah. See note on Proverbs 10:28.

The righteous = A righteous one.

delivered = drawn out, liberated with gentle effort. Hebrew. chalaz. The same word as in Proverbs 11:9, but not the same as in verses: Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 11:6; Proverbs 11:21. Illustrations: Mordecai and Haman (Esther 7:9, Esther 7:10); Daniel and his accusers (Daniel 6:23, Daniel 6:24); Israel and Egyptians (Ex. 14, and Isaiah 43:3, Isaiah 43:4).

mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is said by it.

the just = righteous ones.

When it goeth well, &c. Illustrations: Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:3-36; 2 Chronicles 30:26); Nehemiah (Neh 2; Nehemiah 6:15; Nehemiah 8:17); Mordecai (Esther 8:15, Esther 8:16). when the wicked perish, &c. Illustrations: Pharaoh (Ex. 15); Sisera(Jdg 5); Athaliah (2 Kings 11:20). the wicked = wicked ones.

overthrown; or ruined.

wisdom. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for sense.

despiseth = reproacheth: in contrast with the next line.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

A talebearer = He that goes about talebearing: or, a peddler in scandal. Compare Leviticus 19:16. James 1:26. Illustrations: Doeg (1 Samuel 21:7; 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:10. Psalms 52:2, Compare Proverbs 24:28); the nobles of Judah (Nehemiah 6:17-19).

secrets = a secret.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

counsel: or helmsman.

multitude of counsellers. Provided they are really "counsellers".

safety = salvation.

for a stranger, &c. Christ became surety for His People, and they were "strangers" (Ephesians 2:12); and He smarted for it, blessed be His Name! Hebrew. zur, an apostate. See note on Proverbs 5:3.

smart for it = be sore broken. See Psalms 38:8; Psalms 69:20.

is sure = is secure. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

gracious woman. Compare the woman of Folly (Proverbs 9:13).

And strong men, &c. Septuagint and Syriac read, "but the diligent".

merciful man = man of lovingkindness, or grace.

his own soul = his own self. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. Illustrations: the Kenites (1 Samuel 15:6. Ecclesiastes 11:1); David (1 Samuel 30:11-20); Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:7; 2 Samuel 21:7); Job (Job 42:10. Compare Proverbs 13:2); the Centurion (Luke 7:2-10); Cornelius (Acts 10:4. Compare Proverbs 12:14); the Maltese (Acts 28:1-10).

troubleth, &c. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:10-12); Cornelius (Acts 10:4. Compare Proverbs 12:14); the Maltese (Acts 28:1-10).

troubleth, &c. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:10-12); Joseph's brethren (Genesis 37 and Genesis 42:21); Adoni-bezek (Judges 1:6, Judges 1:7); Agag (1 Samuel 15:33); Haman (Esther 9:25); Jonah (Jonah 4:1-3); the miser (Ecclesiastes 4:8).

worketh, &c. Pharaoh (Exodus 1:20. Acts 7:19). Caiaphas(John 11:49, John 11:50). Compare Acts 8:1, Acts 8:4.

deceitful = lie. Hebrew. sheker. The verb, adjective, and noun are the renderings of eight words in Proverbs: (1) sheker = a lie (Proverbs 11:18; Proverbs 20:17; Proverbs 31:30); (2) ramah = cheating (Proverbs 12:5, Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 12:20; Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 14:25; Proverbs 26:19, Proverbs 26:24); (3) shagah = wander, go astray (Proverbs 20:1); (4) kazab = fraud (Proverbs 23:3); (5) pathah = delude (Proverbs 24:28); (6) nashah (Proverbs 26:26); (7) "athar. See note on Proverbs 27:6; (8) tok. See note on Proverbs 29:13.

to him . . . a sure reward. Illustrations: Noah (Genesis 6:22; Genesis 6:7. Hebrews 11:7); Abraham (Hebrews 6:15); Joseph (Gen 37-41. Compare Psalms 37:4-6); Simeon (Luke 2:25-32. Lamentations 3:25, Lamentations 3:26); Paul (2 Corinthians 1:12. 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8).

As righteousness = Thus righteousness. Hebrew. ken. Septuagint and Syriac read Hebrew. ben, A righteous son.

evil. Hebrew. raa". App-44.

abomination. See note on Proverbs 3:32.

hand join in hand. Illustrations: the Babel builders (Genesis 11:1-9); Korah (Num 16); the Canaanite kings (Joshua 9:1, Joshua 9:2 Adoni-zedek (Joshua 10); the Confederacy Isaiah 7:1-16); the Ten Kingdoms (Rev. 19).

wicked. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 11:6, Proverbs 11:23, Proverbs 11:31. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

the righteous = righteous ones.

be delivered = escape. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 11:6, Proverbs 11:8, Proverbs 4:9. Hebrew. malat = to slip away.

jewel = a nose-jewel, worn by women. See Genesis 24:47. Isaiah 3:21.

fair = beautiful.

Illustrated in verses: Proverbs 11:24-31.

poverty = want. Hebrew. heser. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

made fat = enriched. Illustrations: widow (1 Kings 17:10, &c); Shunammite (2 Kings 4:8, 2 Kings 4:37); Publius (Acts 28:7, Acts 28:8). Compare Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:15.

withholdeth. Different from hoarding it in store as in Egypt (Genesis 41:34-36; Genesis 41:53-57).

mischief. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

trusteth = confldeth. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

the wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

fool. Hebrew. "evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

winneth = taketh, or catcheth.

shall be recompensed in the earth. This was the promise for that Dispensation (Psa 37), not for this. See 1 Peter 4:18 and App-63. Rightly divide the Dispensations, and all difficulties are removed.

the sinner = a sinner. Hebrew. chata". App-44.