Verse 1

Boast not, &c. Compare James 4:13-16.

thyself . . . thou. Second person.

thou knowest not. Illustrations: Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:17. Compare Proverbs 31:2); Abner (2 Samuel 3:9, 2 Samuel 3:10. Compare Proverbs 3:27); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:3-31. Compare Proverbs 27:11); Ahab (1 Kings 22:26, 1 Kings 22:27, 1 Kings 22:34-37); Haman (Esther 5:12; Esther 7:1, Esther 7:10); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30, Daniel 4:31-33); the rich fool (Luke 12:20).

Verse 2

Let another man praise thee. Illustrations: Centurion (Matthew 8:10); John (Matthew 11:11. John 5:35); Luke (Co Proverbs 1:4, Proverbs 1:14. 2 Timothy 4:11); Epaphroditus (Philippians 1:2, Philippians 1:25). No Hebrew for "man", here.

thee . . . thine. Second person.

stranger = one unknown. Hebrew. nakar. See note on Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 5:10.

Verse 3

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

them. Should be "they".

Verse 4

envy = jealousy.

Verse 6

Faithful, &c. Illustrations: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:7-13. Compare Nehemiah 6:2); Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:2-11).

deceitful. Hebrew. "athar = effusive (i.e. abundant) and empty (as vapour). See note on Proverbs 11:18. Compare Matthew 26:49.

Verse 9

hearty counsel = counsel of the soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Verse 10

thy father"s friend. Illustrations: Hiram (1 Kings 5:1. Compare Proverbs 27:12); Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:6, 2 Samuel 9:7. Compare Proverbs 21:7); Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:6-8); Joash (2 Chronicles 24:17, 2 Chronicles 24:18; Compare Proverbs 27:22).

better. See note on Proverbs 8:11.

Verse 11

My son. Marking the Structure (p. 899), as being the Words of the Wise, for Solomon.

Verse 12

are punished = pay the penalty.

Verse 13

stranger = an apostate. Hebrew. zur. See note on Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 5:3.

strange = foreign. See note above.

Verse 15

contentious = wrangling.

Verse 16

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

And. Supply the Ellipsis, "And [hideth]", &c.

Verse 18

that waiteth . . . honoured. Illustrations: Deborah (Genesis 35:8); Joseph (Genesis 39:2-6, Genesis 39:22, Genesis 39:23); Elisha (2 Kings 3:11); Centurion"s servant (Luke 7:8); disciples (Luke 12:37); soldier (Acts 10:7).

Verse 19

man . . . man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

Verse 20

Hell = Sheol. App-35.

Verse 21

for . . . for = trieth . . . trieth.

So is, &c. = So doth a man put his praise to the test.

Verse 22

bray = pound, pulverize.

Verse 24

riches. Consisted mainly in flocks and herds.

Verse 26

goats = he goats.

Verse 27

maintenance = life.