Bible Commentaries

Wine. Hebrew. yayin. See App-27.

is. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6.

mocker = scoffer.

strong drink. Hebrew. shekar. App-27. IV

raging = a brawler.

is deceived = erreth. Hebrew. shagah = to go astray. See note on Proverbs 11:18. Not the same word as in Proverbs 20:17.

is not wise. Illustrations: Noah (Genesis 7:1. Compare Proverbs 9:20, Proverbs 9:21); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:36); Elah (1 Kings 16:8-10); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:16-21); Ephraim (Isaiah 28:7); Belshazzar, &c. (Dan 5. Jeremiah 51:39, Jeremiah 51:57); Nineveh (Nahum 1:10); and probably Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:8, Leviticus 10:9),

sinneth = erreth. Hebrew. chata". App-44.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

to cease from strife. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 13:7-9. Compare Proverbs 17:14); David (1 Samuel 25:32-34).

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

meddling = breaking out. See notes on Proverbs 17:14; Proverbs 18:1. The only other occurrences of gala". Not the same word as in Proverbs 20:19.

plow. Plowing always done during the early rains.

cold = autumn. Put by Figure of speech Metalepsis, "cold" put for Autumn, and "Autumn" put for abundance of fruits possessed at that time.

Therefore. This word is read in the text in some codices, with five early printed editions.

men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

every one. Hebrew. "Ish "ish. App-14.

his own goodness. Illustrations: Absalom (2 Samuel 15:4); Jehu (2 Kings 10:16, 2 Kings 10:31); Scribes, &c. (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 23:5); the rich young man (Matthew 19:20, Matthew 19:22).

children = sons.

blessed = happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13.

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

can = is able to.

I am pure, &c. Illustrations: Job before he learned his lesson (Job 9:17; Job 10:7; Job 11:4; Job 16:17; Job 23:10, Job 23:11; Job 27:5; Job 29:14; Job 31:1; Compare Proverbs 33:9. But not after, See Proverbs 42:5, Proverbs 42:6). None of God's own people say this. Not David. (2 Samuel 12:13. Compare Psalms 51:1-7); not Psalmist (Proverbs 119:176); not Ezra (Ezra 9:6); not Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:33, Nehemiah 9:34); not Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah 6:6); not Daniel (Daniel 9:8); not Peter (Luke 5:8); not John (1 John 1:8); not James (James 3:2); not Paul (Romans 7:18. 1 Timothy 1:15).

weights . . . measures. Hebrew "a stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah". Ephah put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, for all kinds of weights and measures. There is no word for "divers" = diverse.

abomination, &c. Compare Proverbs 20:23, and Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 16:11, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32, and compare Deuteronomy 25:13, &c.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

pure = accurate.

right = correct.

hearing ear, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 4:11); Hagar (Genesis 21:19); Elisha's servant (2 Kings 6:17); Lydia (Acts 16:14).

come to poverty = become dispossessed. Hebrew. yarash. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

naught . . . naught = very bad. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis.

stranger = apostate. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 5:3.

pledge of him. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6), "[Who has become security for] a foreign woman. "

strange woman = foreign woman. Hebrew. nakar. See notes on Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 5:3.

Bread of deceit = Bread gained by deceit. Genitive of Origin. See App-17(2).

Bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for all kinds of food.

deceit = lying. Hebrew. sheker. See note on Proverbs 11:18.

filled with gravel: or grit. See note on Genesis 3:14, implying utmost disappointment. See App-19.

meddle = mingle, mix thyself up. Not the same word as in Proverbs 20:3.

lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the flattery spoken by them.

curseth = revileth.

lamp shall be put out. A Figure of speech Hypocatastasis (App-6), denoting that he shall die childless.

blessed = happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13.

on = for.

abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32.

Man"s = A strong man"s. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

man = an ordinary man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

devoureth = rashly promises.

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

scattereth = winnoweth out.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha".

the wheel: i.e. of the threshing instrument. Compare Isaiah 28:27.

spirit = breath. Hebrew. neshamah. See App-16.

candle = lamp or light. Same word as in Proverbs 20:20.

the belly. Put by Figure of speech Metalepsis (App-6) for the heart, and the heart for its thoughts.

Mercy = lovingkindness, grace, or favour.

cleanseth away = is cleansing. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6), "[though it be] an evil".

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

belly. Supply the Ellipsis from preceding clause, "[though they be an evil]"