Bible Commentaries

Be not thou envious = Do not get excited. Compare Proverbs 23:17.

mischief. Hebrew. "amal. App-44. Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:8 and Proverbs 24:16.

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

chambers = inner chambers.

A wise man, &c. = A strong man [if wise] is strong indeed. Aramaean, Syriac, and Septuagint read "[Better] a wise man than a mighty".

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

increaseth strength. Aram, and Syriac read "than one who is strong".

multitude, &c. But they must all be "counsellors". Compare Proverbs 11:10 with Proverbs 15:22.

Wisdom. Hebrew, plural = true wisdom. See notes on Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 9:1; and Compare Proverbs 14:1.

is too high = seems to be, or is regarded as coral: i.e. as an ornament costly, and, to him, unattainable. Occurs three times (here, Job 28:18, and Ezekiel 27:16).

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

openeth not his mouth in the gate: i.e. where the judges sit. A fool is not appointed as a judge.

mischievous person = a genius at plots. Hebrew. zimmah = plots. Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:2 and Proverbs 24:16.

thought, &c. Compare Proverbs 4:23. Job 1:5. Jeremiah 4:14. Matthew 9:3, Matthew 9:4; Matthew 15:19, Matthew 15:20.

foolishness = the foolish. Hebrew. "evil (Proverbs 24:7).

sin. Hebrew. chata". App-44.

scorner = scoffer.

men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 24:30.

If thou faint, &c. Adversity is sent to try our strength; and, if we fail, it is proved to be weakness. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 42:36); David (1 Samuel 27:1); Elijah (1 Kings 19:3, 1 Kings 19:4); Jonah (Jonah 4:8).

If thou forbear. This is counsel for a ruler or judge, and is FOR Solomon. See the Structure (p. 891). Illustrations: Doeg (1 Samuel 22:18); Pilate (Luke 23:22-24).

deliver = snatch, or rescue.

drawn, &c. = being taken to execution.

knew it not = we knew not of it.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

My son. Confirming the Structure (p. 891).

cut off. Compare Proverbs 24:20 with Proverbs 23:18.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44. (singular), Proverbs 24:16 (plural)

the righteous = a just one.

just = righteous.

the wicked = lawless ones.

mischief = calamity. Hebrew. ra"a". Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:2 and Proverbs 24:8.

Rejoice not. Illustrations: Tyre (Ezekiel 26:2-6); Ammon (Ezekiel 25:6); David (2 Samuel 1:11, 2 Samuel 1:12). Compare Psalms 35:13, Psalms 35:14); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1); Edom (Obadiah 1:11-14).

from him. Supply Ellipsis, "from him [to thee]".

Fret not = Chafe not thyself. Compare Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:8.

evil men = evil-doers. Compare Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:8. Same word as in Proverbs 24:8.

envious = excited.

the wicked = lawless ones.

reward = posterity, or future.

candle = lamp. The idiom is used for having no posterity.

meddle not = mingle not, i.e. have nothing to do with.

them that are given to change = with them that make a difference [between a wicked king and a wicked common man].

their: i.e. the king and a common man.

calamity = overthrow.

ruin = catastrophe.

both: i.e. the two who are the subjects of this counsel.

belong to = are [the words of] the wise (plural) See the Structure, p. 891, and note on Proverbs 22:17.

the wicked. Unto a wicked [king]: i.e. as well as to an ordinary man.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

people = peoples.

rebuke him: i.e. rebuke a wicked king.

kiss his lips = do homage with his lips to him.

right = straightforward.

deceive. Hebrew. pathah. See note on Proverbs 11:18.

as = according as.

understanding. Hebrew "heart": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the discernment coming from it. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

saw = gazed.

considered it well = set my heart upon it.

poverty = need. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

an armed man = a man with a shield.