Verse 1

The wicked flee, &c. = A lawIess one flees. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:8); Joseph"s brethren (Genesis 50:15); the Jews (Leviticus 26:36); Ahab (1 Kings 21:20); Herod Antipas (Matthew 14:2. Compare Proverbs 20:27); Felix (Acts 24:25). Compare Ephesians 2:13.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha".

the righteous = righteous ones.

are bold as a lion. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 32:20); the prophet (1 Kings 13:1-10); Elijah (1 Kings 18:15, 1 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 1:15); Azariah (2 Chronicles 26:17, 2 Chronicles 26:18); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:11); Shadrach, &c. (Dan 3); Peter and John (Acts 4:18, Acts 4:20; Acts 5:41, Acts 5:42); Stephen (Acts 7:51-60); Paul (Acts 20:22-24).

bold = confident. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

Verse 2

many: i.e. changes of dynasty in quick succession.

a man of understanding, &c. or a man knowing a discerning [man] when he sees him, &c. Compare Pharaoh and Joseph; or Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel.

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

Verse 3

poor = needy. Same root as in verses: Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 28:27. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:8, Proverbs 28:11, Proverbs 3:15, Proverbs 3:22. Hebrew. rush.

man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

the poor = weak ones. Hebrew. dal. See noteon "poverty" in Proverbs 6:11. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 28:8, Proverbs 28:11, Proverbs 28:15.

Verse 4

praise the wicked = praise a lawless one. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 23:21); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6); Judah"s nobles (Nehemiah 6:19); false prophets (Jeremiah 5:30, Jeremiah 5:31); Jews (Acts 12:21-23).

contend with them. Illustrations: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:7-11; Nehemiah 13:11); John (Matthew 14:4).

Verse 5

understand not, &c. Illustrations: Israel (Numbers 16:41); Ahab (1 Kings 18:17); the Lord"s enemies (Mark 4:11, Mark 4:12. John 5:44); Pharisees (Luke 11:42; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 16:14). Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

Verse 6

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11.

the poor = a poor one.

uprightness = integrity.

Than he . . . ways = Than [he that walketh] in double ways. Hebrew. "akash. See Proverbs 28:18. Compare James 1:8.

ways = double ways. As in Proverbs 28:18.

Verse 7

wise = intelligent. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

shameth. Compare Proverbs 29:15.

Verse 9

the law = instruction.

Verse 10

the righteous = upright ones.

pit = a slough or clay pit. Hebrew. shehuth.

Verse 11

conceit = eyes.

the poor = a poor one. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

Verse 12

righteous = upright ones (pl).

the wicked = lawless ones.

Verse 13

He that covereth, &c. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:12. See Job 31:33); Cain (Genesis 4:9); Saul (1 Samuel 15:19-21).

sins = transgressions. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.

confesseth, &c. Illustrations: David (2 Samuel 12:13. Psalms 51:3); Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13); Nineveh (Jeremiah 18:7, Jeremiah 18:8. Jonah 3:5-10. Matthew 12:41); the lost son (Luke 15:18-24).

Verse 14

Happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13.

that feareth alway, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:9; Genesis 42:18); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:15).

he that hardeneth, &c. Illustrations: Jews (Jeremiah 8:12); Gentiles (Romans 2:3-5); Herod (Matthew 14:1-10).

Verse 15

roaring = growling while devouring his prey, not roaring (as he springs upon it).

Verse 16

oppressor, &c. Supply the Relative Ellipsis, "oppressor [and shall cut short his days]: but", &c, or, it may be the Figure of speech Aposiopesis; and = [what of him].

Verse 17

the blood of any person = the blood of a soul.

person. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

pit = the grave. Hebrew. bor.

no man = none: i.e. A man oppressed with the guilt of murder (compare Genesis 9:4, Genesis 9:5) will flee to the pit [of destruction]: let none lay hold on him; there is no occasion for it; he is his own tormentor, and will probably be his own executioner, or will deliver himself up to justice.

Verse 18

perverse. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) = "perverse [and walketh in double] ways, shall fall in one". See Proverbs 28:6.

fall at once: or fall in one of the two.

Verse 19

vain: or vanities.

poverty. Not the same word as Proverbs 28:22. Hebrew. rush, as in Proverbs 28:3.

Verse 20

not be innocent = not go unpunished.

Verse 21

persons. Hebrew "faces", put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for persons.

that man = [even] a strong man.

transgress. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.

Verse 22

poverty. Not the same word as in Proverbs 28:19. Hebrew. heser = want.

Verse 23

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

Verse 24

destroyer = a destroying man.

Verse 25

hearts soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

trusts = confidence. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

Verse 26

his . . . heart, &c. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for himself. Illustrations: Hazael (2 Kings 8:13); . Johanan (Jeremiah 42:7-22; Jeremiah 43:1-7); Peter (Matthew 26:33, Matthew 26:74); David (2 Samuel 24:2, Compare Proverbs 28:10); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:4), Contrast Solomon (1 Kings 3:7-9).

fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7. Compare Jeremiah 17:9.