Verse 1
Be not thou envious = Do not get excited. Compare Proverbs 23:17.
Verse 2
mischief. Hebrew. "amal. App-44. Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:8 and Proverbs 24:16.
Verse 3
wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.
Verse 4
chambers = inner chambers.
Verse 5
A wise man, &c. = A strong man [if wise] is strong indeed. Aramaean, Syriac, and Septuagint read "[Better] a wise man than a mighty".
man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.
increaseth strength. Aram, and Syriac read "than one who is strong".
Verse 6
multitude, &c. But they must all be "counsellors". Compare Proverbs 11:10 with Proverbs 15:22.
Verse 7
Wisdom. Hebrew, plural = true wisdom. See notes on Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 9:1; and Compare Proverbs 14:1.
is too high = seems to be, or is regarded as coral: i.e. as an ornament costly, and, to him, unattainable. Occurs three times (here, Job 28:18, and Ezekiel 27:16).
fool. Hebrew. "evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.
openeth not his mouth in the gate: i.e. where the judges sit. A fool is not appointed as a judge.
Verse 8
mischievous person = a genius at plots. Hebrew. zimmah = plots. Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:2 and Proverbs 24:16.
Verse 9
thought, &c. Compare Proverbs 4:23. Job 1:5. Jeremiah 4:14. Matthew 9:3, Matthew 9:4; Matthew 15:19, Matthew 15:20.
foolishness = the foolish. Hebrew. "evil (Proverbs 24:7).
sin. Hebrew. chata". App-44.
scorner = scoffer.
men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 24:30.
Verse 10
If thou faint, &c. Adversity is sent to try our strength; and, if we fail, it is proved to be weakness. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 42:36); David (1 Samuel 27:1); Elijah (1 Kings 19:3, 1 Kings 19:4); Jonah (Jonah 4:8).
Verse 11
If thou forbear. This is counsel for a ruler or judge, and is FOR Solomon. See the Structure (p. 891). Illustrations: Doeg (1 Samuel 22:18); Pilate (Luke 23:22-24).
deliver = snatch, or rescue.
drawn, &c. = being taken to execution.
Verse 12
knew it not = we knew not of it.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
Verse 13
My son. Confirming the Structure (p. 891).
Verse 14
cut off. Compare Proverbs 24:20 with Proverbs 23:18.
Verse 15
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44. (singular), Proverbs 24:16 (plural)
the righteous = a just one.
Verse 16
just = righteous.
the wicked = lawless ones.
mischief = calamity. Hebrew. ra"a". Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:2 and Proverbs 24:8.
Verse 17
Rejoice not. Illustrations: Tyre (Ezekiel 26:2-6); Ammon (Ezekiel 25:6); David (2 Samuel 1:11, 2 Samuel 1:12). Compare Psalms 35:13, Psalms 35:14); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1); Edom (Obadiah 1:11-14).
Verse 18
from him. Supply Ellipsis, "from him [to thee]".
Verse 19
Fret not = Chafe not thyself. Compare Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:8.
evil men = evil-doers. Compare Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:8. Same word as in Proverbs 24:8.
envious = excited.
the wicked = lawless ones.
Verse 20
reward = posterity, or future.
candle = lamp. The idiom is used for having no posterity.
Verse 21
meddle not = mingle not, i.e. have nothing to do with.
them that are given to change = with them that make a difference [between a wicked king and a wicked common man].
Verse 22
their: i.e. the king and a common man.
calamity = overthrow.
ruin = catastrophe.
both: i.e. the two who are the subjects of this counsel.
Verse 23
belong to = are [the words of] the wise (plural) See the Structure, p. 891, and note on Proverbs 22:17.
Verse 24
the wicked. Unto a wicked [king]: i.e. as well as to an ordinary man.
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.
people = peoples.
Verse 25
rebuke him: i.e. rebuke a wicked king.
Verse 26
kiss his lips = do homage with his lips to him.
right = straightforward.
Verse 28
deceive. Hebrew. pathah. See note on Proverbs 11:18.
Verse 29
as = according as.
understanding. Hebrew "heart": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the discernment coming from it. See note on Proverbs 1:2.
Verse 32
saw = gazed.
considered it well = set my heart upon it.
Verse 34
poverty = need. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11.
an armed man = a man with a shield.