Verse 1

turneth away wrath. Illustrations: Aaron (Leviticus 10:16-20); Reubenites (Joshua 22:15-34); Gideon (Judges 8:1-3. Judges 15:18); Hannah (1 Samuel 1:15, 1 Samuel 1:17); Abigail (1 Samuel 25:23, &c).

grievous = bitter, cutting, violent, &c. Illustrations: the Ephraimites (Judges 12:1-4); men of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 19:41-43. 2 Samuel 30:33); Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:30-34); Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:13-16. 2 Chronicles 26:21); Eliphaz (Job 22:5, &c.); Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39).

Verse 2

the wise, &c. = wise ones will use.

Verse 3

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

in every place. Note the different places in the illustrations following:

Beholding = taking note, or observing. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:8, Genesis 3:9); Hagar (Genesis 16:7, Genesis 16:13); Ethiopian (Acts 8:29); Abraham (Genesis 22:11, Genesis 22:15-18); Jacob (Genesis 28:11-16; Genesis 46:1-4); Joseph (Genesis 39:21); Achan (Joshua 7:10-18); Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1-3, 2 Chronicles 7:12-16); David (Psalms 139:7-13); Asa (2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 14:12); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 18:31); Ahab (1 Kings 22:34, 1 Kings 22:35); Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:5, 2 Kings 20:13-18); Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13); Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:22); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:29, Daniel 4:32); Belshazzar (Daniel 5:5); Jonah (Jonah 2:10); Nathanael (John 1:48); Stephen (Acts 7:55); Peter (Acts 10:9-16); Herod (Acts 12:23); Lydia (Acts 16:13, Acts 16:14); Paul (Acts 27:23, Acts 27:24; 2 Timothy 4:17); the wedding guests (Matthew 22:11-13. 1 Corinthians 11:28).

the evil = evil ones. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

the good = good ones.

Verse 4

A wholesome tongue = Gentleness of tongue.

tree of life. See Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22, Genesis 3:24. Compare Proverbs 3:18. Ezekiel 27:12. Revelation 22:2, and notes there.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Verse 5

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

prudent. Septuagint adds: "In abounding righteousness is great strength, but the ungodly will perish root and branch. "

Verse 6

the righteous = a righteous one.

treasure. Hebrew "strength", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the treasures procured by it.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha". App-44. In Proverbs 15:8 it is plural. Not the same word as in Proverbs 15:26.

Verse 7

foolish. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

Verse 8

the wicked = lawless ones.

is an abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:5. Hebrews 11:4); Saul (1 Samuel 15:22, 1 Samuel 15:23); Jews (Isaiah 1:11-15; Isaiah 66:3).

the upright = upright ones.

Verse 10

is grievous, &c. Illustrations: Asa (2 Chronicles 16:10); Jews (John 7:7; John 8:23, John 8:40).

Verse 11

Hell = the grave. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35.

children = sons.

men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

Verse 12

loveth not, &c. Illustrations: Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:7. 2 Chronicles 17:4); the Jews (Amos 5:10); Pharisees (Luke 7:30); compare Matthew 3:7. Matthew 12:1).

Verse 13

merry = joyful, or glad.

Verse 14

understanding. Hebrew. binah (Proverbs 1:2). Same word as in Proverbs 15:21, but not in Proverbs 15:32.

seeketh knowledge. Illustrations: Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-10. 1 Kings 19:8); Queen of Sheba (1Ki 10. Matthew 12:42); Mary (Luke 10:39); Nicodemus (John 3:1, John 3:2); the Ethiopian (Acts 8:28); the Bereans (Acts 17:11).

Verse 15

afflicted. Hebrew. "anah. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11.

evil = sad. Same word as in Proverbs 15:3.

merry = good.

Verse 16

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11. Illustrations: the shepherds (Luke 2:20. Compare Matthew 2:3); Paul in prison (Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:11, Philippians 1:13, Philippians 1:18; 1 Timothy 6:6). Contrast Ahab in palace (1 Kings 21:4). Jehovah is a substitute for every good thing, but nothing is a substitute for Him.

the fear of the LORD. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

Verse 18

strife = contention, or discord.

Verse 19

the righteous = upright ones.

made plain = a raised road. Illustration: Eleazar (Genesis 24:12, Genesis 24:26, Genesis 24:27, Genesis 24:52. Psalms 37:23).

Verse 21

wisdom. Hebrew. leb = "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the knowledge it should possess. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

Verse 22

counsellors. But they must be "counsellors".

they are. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac read "counsel is".

Verse 23

in due season = in its season.

Verse 24

above = upward.

the wise = a skilful one. Hebrew. sakal. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

Verse 25

border = landmark. Note the contrast with "house".

Verse 26

the wicked = an evil-doer. Hebrew. ra"a same word as "evil" in Proverbs 15:3.

Verse 27

gifts = bribes. Compare Proverbs 18:1; Proverbs 20:21.

Verse 28

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

Verse 29

the righteous = righteous ones.

Verse 31

of = tending or leading to. Genitive of Relation. See App-17(5).

Verse 32

instruction = correction, or discipline. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. Illustrations: Dathan (Numbers 16:12-14, Numbers 16:31-33); Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36:12; Jeremiah 39:1-7); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:27-33); Belshazzar (Daniel 5:22-30); Jews (Matthew 23:34-38).

getteth understanding = possesseth a heart. "Heart" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for "sense". Illustrations: Job"s friends (Job 42:7-9); the woman (John 4:17, &c.); two disciples (Luke 24:25-32); Paul (Acts 9:6-22).

Verse 33

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

before honour, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 41:16, Genesis 41:39, Genesis 41:40. Genesis 22:4); Gideon (Judges 6:15); Hananiah (Nehemiah 7:2); Daniel (Daniel 2:30-48); Centurion (Matthew 8:8, Matthew 8:10); Ephraim (Hosea 13:1); John Baptist (John 1:15, John 1:30; John 3:30).