Verse 1

often reproved, &c. Illustrations: Antediluvians (Genesis 6, 1 Peter 3:20. 2 Peter 2:5. Luke 17:26, Luke 17:27): Pharaoh (Exodus 7:13, Exodus 7:14; Exodus 8:15; Exodus 10:1, Exodus 10:20, Exodus 10:27).

Verse 2

the righteous = righteous ones.

in authority = increase, not necessarily in numbers, but in greatness. Compare Proverbs 29:16, and see note on Proverbs 4:10, and the next clause.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

beareth rule. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read the plural here: "bear rule".

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

he = a man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

receiveth gifts = is open to bribes.

Verse 5

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

Spreadeth a net, &c. Illustrations: woman of Tekoah (2 Samuel 14:3, 2 Samuel 14:19, 2 Samuel 14:20, 2 Samuel 14:28, 2 Samuel 14:29); spies (Luke 20:21).

feet = footsteps.

Verse 6

the righteous = a righteous one.

Verse 7

considereth. Hebrew "knoweth", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the result of knowing. Illustrations: Job (Job 29:13-16. Compare Psalms 37:26; Psalms 112:5. Proverbs 29:31, Proverbs 29:20); Josiah (Jeremiah 22:16).

the poor = weak ones. Hebrew. dal. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11.

regardeth not to know it: i.e. makes no attempt to know it; or, knowing it, does not consider it. Illustrations: Jews (Jeremiah 5:28. Compare Luke 10:31, Luke 10:32).

Verse 8

Scornful men = Scoffers. Hebrew "men of scorning".

bring a city, &c. Illustrations: Judah (2 Chronicles 36:16-21); rulers (Isaiah 28:14-22; and Matthew 27:39-43).

turn away wrath. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 32:10-14) and Aaron (Numbers 16:48); Elijah (James 5:18). Contrast Sodom (Genesis 18:32); and Jeremiah 5:1. Ezekiel 22:30.

Verse 9

foolish. Hebrew. "evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 29:20.

Verse 10

The bloodthirsty = men of bloods. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

hate the upright. Illustrations: Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:7); Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4; 1 Kings 19:2); Jews (Acts 23:12); Cain (Genesis 4:8. Compare 1 John 3:12).

the upright = upright ones.

the just = an honest one.

seek his soul: i.e. to preserve it. Illustrations: Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:2); Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4); believers (Acts 12:5); Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:4).

soul = life. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Verse 11

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

mind = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the feeling manifested by it.

keepeth it. Illustrations: Abraham (Gen 22); Joseph (Proverbs 42:7; Proverbs 44:18-34); Moses (Exodus 3:10. Compare Proverbs 4:18); Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-6, 2 Samuel 12:7-13).

Verse 13

The poor = a needy man. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

the deceitful = a crafty, or an oppressive man, especially a creditor or usurer. Occurs in plural only here, for emphasis. Compare Psalms 10:7 ("fraud"); Proverbs 55:11, and Proverbs 72:14 ("deceit"). Hebrew. tok. See note on Proverbs 11:18.

meet together: i.e. unexpectedly; first occurrence Genesis 32:17. Compare Proverbs 33:8.

Verse 14

the poor = weak ones.

Verse 16

the wicked = wicked ones.

multiplied = increased in authority or position. Not necessarily in number. Compare Proverbs 29:2, and see note on Proverbs 4:10.

transgression. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.

see their fall = see into (the symptoms and causes of) their fall: i.e. fall caused by external circumstances.

Verse 18

no vision, &c. Illustration: Israel (1 Samuel 3:1. 1 Kings 12:28-32; 1 Kings 14:14-16).

the = a.

happy, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:13. Illustrations: Hezekiah (2Ch 29); Josiah(Proverbs 34:33; Proverbs 35:18. Jeremiah 22:16).

Verse 20

Seest thou, &c? Note Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), for emphasis.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

Verse 21

child = youth.

become. Some render "aspire to be"; others = become [insolent] like a son.

son = offspring.

Verse 22

furious man = a master or lord of wrath. Hebrew. ba"al = lord.

Verse 23

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

shall bring him low. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:5, Genesis 3:6); Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:16-18); angels (2 Peter 2:4. Jude 1:7).

uphold the humble. Illustrations: Solomon (1 Kings 3:7, 1 Kings 3:9); John (John 1:26, John 1:27; John 3:29, John 3:31); Mary (Luke 1:38); angels (Isaiah 6:2).

the humble = a humble one.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Verse 25

The fear of man. Refers to the inward feeling of timidity. See note on "fear", 2 Timothy 1:7.

The fear . . . a snare. One of the two great snares. The other is "the praise of man": (John 12:43. Compare Romans 2:29. John 5:44). Illustrations: parents (John 9:22); rulers (John 12:42); Nicodemus (John 3:2; John 7:50. Contrast Proverbs 19:39); Joseph (John 19:38); David (1 Samuel 16:12, 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 27:1); Elijah (1 Kings 19:3, &c.); Peter (Matthew 26:69-74).

putteth his trust = confideth. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

safe = set on high.

Verse 27

the just = just ones

the wicked = a lawless one.