Verse 1
The wicked flee, &c. = A lawIess one flees. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:8); Joseph"s brethren (Genesis 50:15); the Jews (Leviticus 26:36); Ahab (1 Kings 21:20); Herod Antipas (Matthew 14:2. Compare Proverbs 20:27); Felix (Acts 24:25). Compare Ephesians 2:13.
the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha".
the righteous = righteous ones.
are bold as a lion. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 32:20); the prophet (1 Kings 13:1-10); Elijah (1 Kings 18:15, 1 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 1:15); Azariah (2 Chronicles 26:17, 2 Chronicles 26:18); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:11); Shadrach, &c. (Dan 3); Peter and John (Acts 4:18, Acts 4:20; Acts 5:41, Acts 5:42); Stephen (Acts 7:51-60); Paul (Acts 20:22-24).
bold = confident. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
Verse 2
many: i.e. changes of dynasty in quick succession.
a man of understanding, &c. or a man knowing a discerning [man] when he sees him, &c. Compare Pharaoh and Joseph; or Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel.
man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.
Verse 3
poor = needy. Same root as in verses: Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 28:27. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:8, Proverbs 28:11, Proverbs 3:15, Proverbs 3:22. Hebrew. rush.
man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.
the poor = weak ones. Hebrew. dal. See noteon "poverty" in Proverbs 6:11. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 28:8, Proverbs 28:11, Proverbs 28:15.
Verse 4
praise the wicked = praise a lawless one. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 23:21); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6); Judah"s nobles (Nehemiah 6:19); false prophets (Jeremiah 5:30, Jeremiah 5:31); Jews (Acts 12:21-23).
contend with them. Illustrations: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:7-11; Nehemiah 13:11); John (Matthew 14:4).
Verse 5
understand not, &c. Illustrations: Israel (Numbers 16:41); Ahab (1 Kings 18:17); the Lord"s enemies (Mark 4:11, Mark 4:12. John 5:44); Pharisees (Luke 11:42; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 16:14). Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.
Verse 6
Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11.
the poor = a poor one.
uprightness = integrity.
Than he . . . ways = Than [he that walketh] in double ways. Hebrew. "akash. See Proverbs 28:18. Compare James 1:8.
ways = double ways. As in Proverbs 28:18.
Verse 7
wise = intelligent. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.
shameth. Compare Proverbs 29:15.
Verse 9
the law = instruction.
Verse 10
the righteous = upright ones.
pit = a slough or clay pit. Hebrew. shehuth.
Verse 11
conceit = eyes.
the poor = a poor one. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11.
Verse 12
righteous = upright ones (pl).
the wicked = lawless ones.
Verse 13
He that covereth, &c. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:12. See Job 31:33); Cain (Genesis 4:9); Saul (1 Samuel 15:19-21).
sins = transgressions. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.
confesseth, &c. Illustrations: David (2 Samuel 12:13. Psalms 51:3); Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13); Nineveh (Jeremiah 18:7, Jeremiah 18:8. Jonah 3:5-10. Matthew 12:41); the lost son (Luke 15:18-24).
Verse 14
Happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13.
that feareth alway, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:9; Genesis 42:18); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:15).
he that hardeneth, &c. Illustrations: Jews (Jeremiah 8:12); Gentiles (Romans 2:3-5); Herod (Matthew 14:1-10).
Verse 15
roaring = growling while devouring his prey, not roaring (as he springs upon it).
Verse 16
oppressor, &c. Supply the Relative Ellipsis, "oppressor [and shall cut short his days]: but", &c, or, it may be the Figure of speech Aposiopesis; and = [what of him].
Verse 17
the blood of any person = the blood of a soul.
person. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
pit = the grave. Hebrew. bor.
no man = none: i.e. A man oppressed with the guilt of murder (compare Genesis 9:4, Genesis 9:5) will flee to the pit [of destruction]: let none lay hold on him; there is no occasion for it; he is his own tormentor, and will probably be his own executioner, or will deliver himself up to justice.
Verse 18
perverse. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) = "perverse [and walketh in double] ways, shall fall in one". See Proverbs 28:6.
fall at once: or fall in one of the two.
Verse 19
vain: or vanities.
poverty. Not the same word as Proverbs 28:22. Hebrew. rush, as in Proverbs 28:3.
Verse 20
not be innocent = not go unpunished.
Verse 21
persons. Hebrew "faces", put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for persons.
that man = [even] a strong man.
transgress. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.
Verse 22
poverty. Not the same word as in Proverbs 28:19. Hebrew. heser = want.
Verse 23
tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what is spoken by it.
Verse 24
destroyer = a destroying man.
Verse 25
hearts soul. Hebrew. nephesh.
trusts = confidence. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
Verse 26
his . . . heart, &c. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for himself. Illustrations: Hazael (2 Kings 8:13); . Johanan (Jeremiah 42:7-22; Jeremiah 43:1-7); Peter (Matthew 26:33, Matthew 26:74); David (2 Samuel 24:2, Compare Proverbs 28:10); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:4), Contrast Solomon (1 Kings 3:7-9).
fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7. Compare Jeremiah 17:9.