Verse 1

instruction = discipline, or correction.

Verse 2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14,

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

will He condemn: or will pronounce him guilty, as Job 40:8.

Verse 3

man. Hebrew. adam. App-14.

wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha".

the righteous = righteous ones.

Verse 4

virtuous = worthy. See Proverbs 31:10 and Ruth 31:11.

crown. Always used of a bridal or royal crown.

Verse 5

thoughts = plans.

right = just (as to their character). Illustrations: David (1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 26:8-11); Daniel (Daniel 1:8; Daniel 6:4); Nuthanael (John 1:47).

counsels = steerings, or directions. Illustrations: Korah (Num 16); Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28. Compare Proverbs 12:26); the prophet of Beth-el (1 Kings 13:18. Compare Proverbs 11:9); Sanballat (Nehemiah 6:2); Haman (Esther 3:5, Esther 3:6, Esther 3:8); Ishmael (Jeremiah 40:14); Herod (Matthew 2:8, Matthew 2:16); Pharisees (Matthew 22:15, Matthew 22:16); Judas (John 12:4-6).

the wicked = lawless ones.

deceit = deception. Hebrew. ramah. See note on Proverbs 11:18.

Verse 6

words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73.

the upright = upright ones.

Verse 7

overthrown. Compare Genesis 19:21, Genesis 19:25, Genesis 19:29; 2 Samuel 10:3. 1 Chronicles 19:3, &c.

and are not = there is nothing of them left.

Verse 8

shall be commended. Illustration: Joseph (Genesis 41:39).

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

shall be despised. Illustrations: Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Samuel 2:17, 1 Samuel 2:30); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2, 1 Samuel 25:17. Compare Proverbs 28:6); Judah (Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 4:30. Lamentations 1:8); lost son (Luke 15:15, Luke 15:16).

Verse 9

He that is despised, and hath = Better to be little noticed and have, &c.

better. See note on Proverbs 8:11.

Verse 10

regardeth, &c. = knoweth. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 33:13, Genesis 33:14); David (1 Samuel 17:34, 1 Samuel 17:35).

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

cruel. Illustrations: Nahash (1 Samuel 11:1, 1 Samuel 11:2); Pilate (Luke 23:16).

Verse 11

shall be satisfied. Illustrations: Isaac (Genesis 26:12); Jacob (Genesis 31:40; Genesis 32:10).

he that followeth, &c. Illustrations: Abimelech"s followers (Judges 9. Compare Proverbs 24:21); Theudas (Acts 5:36, Acts 5:37).

understanding. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for sense. Septuagint adds: "He that delighteth himself in the drinking of wine shall leave his own stronghold a disgrace. "

Verse 12

The wicked = a lawless one.

the net. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is caught in it.

of evil men: i.e. which evil men use.

evil. Hebrew. ra"a. App-44: not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 12:13, Proverbs 12:21.

yieldeth = giveth [to others]: i.e. instead of taking them as prey.

Verse 13

The wicked = an evil man. Hebrew. ra"a". Same word as "evil" in Proverbs 12:12.

transgression. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.

lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is spoken by them. Illustrations: Korah (Numbers 16:1-3, Numbers 16:31-35. Psalms 64:8); the Amalekite(2 Samuel 1:2-16); Adonijah (1 Kings 2:23); Daniel"s accusers (Daniel 6:24); Jews (Matthew 27:25).

the just = a righteous one.

shall come out, &c. Illustrations: Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:10, Numbers 14:24, Numbers 14:30); Esther and her People (Esther 7:3; Esther 8:3-17; Esther 9:25); Peter (Acts 11:2-18; Acts 12:3-18).

Verse 15

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

Verse 16

is = letteth itself be.

presently = immediately, at once, the same day. Illustrations: Jehoram (2 Kings 6:31); Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1, 1 Kings 19:2); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:19); synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:28). covereth = concealeth.

shame = public ignominy. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, put for the affront which causes it. Illustrations: Gideon (Judges 8:2, Judges 8:3. Compare Proverbs 8:1); Hezekiah (Isaiah 36:21. Compare Proverbs 26:4); David (1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:30. Compare Proverbs 12:28); Saul (1 Samuel 10:27. Compare Proverbs 20:30-33).

Verse 18

like the piercings, &c. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 20:30; and Proverbs 18:21. Compare Psalms 57:4, and Proverbs 16:27); Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9-19); Jews (John 8:48); Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:14. Hebrews 11:36).

piercings = stabs. Occurs only here.

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

is health. Illustrations: Jethro (Exodus 18:17-26); Abigail (1 Samuel 25:24-33); the woman (2 Samuel 20:16); Stephen (Acts 7:59. Compare Proverbs 22:20).

Verse 19

lip. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is spoken. Illustration: Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:30, Numbers 14:38).

but for a moment. Illustrations: Ahab (1 Kings 22:30, 1 Kings 22:37; Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:2, Jeremiah 28:11. Compare verses: Proverbs 12:15-17); Gehazi (2 Kings 5:22, 2 Kings 5:25, 2 Kings 5:27. 2 Kings 10:9); Ananias (Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10. Acts 21:6).

Verse 21

no evil = nothing in vain. Hebrew. "aven. App-44.

mischief. Hebrew. ra"a". Same word as "evil" in verses: Proverbs 12:12, Proverbs 12:20.

Verse 22

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

they that deal truly are, &c. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "is" (singular) = he that dealeth, &c.

Verse 23

concealeth knowledge. Illustrations: Samuel (1 Samuel 9:27. Compare Proverbs 10:16); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:2, Nehemiah 6:3).

fools. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 12:24

shall bear rule. Illustrations: Eleazar (Genesis 24:2, Genesis 24:10); Joseph (Genesis 39:4, Genesis 39:22); Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28).

Verse 25

Heaviness = Anxiety (feminine)

stoop = bowed down. Illustrations: Ezra (Ezra 9:3, Ezra 10:6); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4); David (Psalms 40:12); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:18).

maketh, &c. = maketh [the man] glad [by driving it (feminine), the anxiety (feminine), away].

Verse 26

the righteous = a righteous one, is more excellent than his neighbour = guideth his neighbour.

seduceth them = leadeth them astray. The clauses are not "unrelated", nor is the text "corrupt beyond restoration", when properly translated.

Verse 27

roasteth not, &c. = starteth not his game (see the Oxford Gesenius).

substance: i.e. that which the diligent man "starts" and obtains is substantial. The proverb is not "humorous".

Verse 28

life: i.e. life eternal. See note on Leviticus 18:5.

no death = immortality. Or take nethebah (as in Judges 5:6. Isaiah 59:8) as denoting, with derek, no devious winding by-path. In this case we must read "el, "to", instead of "al, "no". This avoids the necessity of the italics.