Verse 1
When = Forasmuch as. Taking the act for granted.
thou. The second person is continued down to Proverbs 23:24.
Consider = Discern.
what: or, who.
Verse 2
And put = Then thou wilt put.
a man given, &c. Illustrations: Esau (Genesis 25:30); Isaac (Genesis 25:28; Genesis 27:4); those referred to in Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:18, Philippians 1:19.
appetite = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
Verse 3
dainties = dainty meals.
deceitful meat = meat that deceives. Hebrew. kazah. See note on Proverbs 11:18.
Verse 4
Labour not, &c. Illustrations: Lot (Genesis 13:10, Genesis 13:13); the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20. Compare Proverbs 10:16). See Jeremiah"s advice (Jeremiah 45:5).
wisdom. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 23:9, Proverbs 23:23.
Verse 5
For. This is the reason why "it is gone".
Verse 7
thinketh, &c. = estimates himself.
heart = soul. Hebrew. nephesh.
Verse 9
fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.
he will despise. Illustration: Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:1, 2 Chronicles 25:16).
wisdom = intelligence. Hebrew. sekel. See note on Proverbs 1:2. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 23:4, Proverbs 23:23.
words = sayings. Hebrew. millah = discourse.
Verse 10
old landmark = ancient boundary. Compare Proverbs 22:28.
fields. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "field" (singular)
fatherless. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), for all bereaved ones.
Verse 11
Redeemer = kinsman-redeemer. Hebrew. ga"al. See note on Exodus 6:6; Exodus 13:13.
Verse 13
child = youth.
Verse 14
deliver = rescue.
hell = hades. See App-35.
Verse 16
reins = kidneys. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for affections and impulses.
Verse 17
sinners. Hebrew. chata". App-44.
the fear of the LORD. See note on Proverbs 1:7.
Verse 18
an end = a hereafter, or latter end.
expectation. Hebrew. tikvah. See note on Proverbs 10:28.
Verse 19
my son. Note the characteristic of this member (p 891).
Verse 20
winebibbers. Hebrew. yayin (App-27.) and saba" = drinkers to excess.
eaters of flesh = selfish eaters.
Verse 21
poverty = dispossession. Hebrew. yarash. See note on Proverbs 6:11.
Verse 22
Hearken. This determines the Structure (p. 891).
thy father. Note this mark of "Proverbs FOR Solomon".
Verse 23
wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 23:4, Proverbs 23:8.
Verse 24
the righteous = a just one.
Verse 26
heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for attention.
observe = delight in.
Verse 27
strange = foreign. Hebrew. nakar. See note on Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 5:3. Not the same word as in Proverbs 23:33.
Verse 28
transgressors = traitors.
Verse 30
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.
mixed wine. Hebrew. mimsak. App-27.
Verse 31
his colour = its sparkle.
Verse 33
strange = apostate. Hebrew. zur. See note on Proverbs 2:16, Proverbs 5:3. Not the same word as in Proverbs 23:27.
Verse 34
midst. Hebrew "heart".
top = basket: i.e. the look-out basket or cradle on the mast.
Verse 35
felt = knew.