Bible Commentaries

Proverbs 10:1-32. Here begins the second part of the book, Proverbs 10:1-22:16, which, with the third, Proverbs 22:16-25:28, contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit of no analysis. The parallelisms of Proverbs 10:1-15:33 are mostly antithetic; and those of Proverbs 16:1-22:16, synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the labor of memorizing.

wise [and] foolish — as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.

maketh … father — or, “gladdens a father.”

heaviness — or, “grief.”

nothing — that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Proverbs 4:17; Matthew 6:19).

righteousness — especially beneficence (Psalm 112:9).

death — the greatest of all evils.

(Compare Psalm 37:16-20). The last clause is better: “He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked.”

slack — literally, “deceitful,” failing of its purpose (compare Hosea 7:16).

maketh rich — (compare Proverbs 10:22).

son — as Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 1:10, and often.

sleepeth — in indolence, and not for rest.

causeth shame — literally, “is base” (compare Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 17:2).

Blessings — literally, “Praises.” The last clause is better: “The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)” to be executed in due time (Psalm 5:9; Psalm 10:7; Romans 3:14), and hence has no praises (compare Proverbs 10:11).

blessed — literally, “for a blessing,” or praise.

shall rot — literally, “be worm-eaten,” useless and disgusting.

wise, etc. — (compare Proverbs 9:8, Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 9:16), opposed to

prating fool — or, “fool of lips of wicked language.”

fall — headlong, suddenly.

perverteth his ways — acts deceitfully.

known — discovered and punished.

Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Proverbs 6:13; Psalm 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.

a well — or, “source” of good to himself and others (John 7:37, John 7:38). On last clause, see on Proverbs 10:6.

strifes — or, “litigations.”

covereth — by forgiveness and forbearance.

found — hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.

void of understanding — (Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 7:7).

lay up knowledge — that is, as treasures for good use.

mouth … destruction — or, “as to the mouth,” etc., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.

Both by trusting in “uncertain riches” (1 Timothy 6:17), or by the evils of poverty (Proverbs 30:9), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.

The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.

keepeth — observes (Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 4:22).

refuseth — or, “turns from reproof,” which might direct him aright.

Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.

Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psalm 39:1; James 1:26).

Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.

Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Proverbs 10:11, Proverbs 10:17; Hosea 4:6).

it maketh, etc. — “it” is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare Ecclesiastes 2:21-23; 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:17).

Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.

it — the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.

(Compare Psalm 1:4; Psalm 37:9, Psalm 37:10, Psalm 37:36).

righteous … foundation — well laid and firm (Matthew 7:24, Matthew 7:25).

that is, causes vexation.

(Compare Proverbs 9:11; Psalm 55:23).

gladness — in confidence of realizing it.

expectation … perish — in disappointment.

The way, etc. — that is, God‘s providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked (Hosea 14:9).

(Compare Proverbs 12:3; Psalm 37:9-11; Psalm 102:28).

earth — or, “land of promise.”

bringeth forth — literally, “germinates” as a plant.

froward — (Compare Proverbs 2:12, Proverbs 2:14).

cut off — as an unproductive plant.

know — regard and provide for (Psalm 1:6).

frowardness — all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.