Verse 1

My son. See note on Proverbs 1:8.

if. This word should be supplied at the beginning of each line in Proverbs 6:2, as well as in Proverbs 6:1.

friend = neighbour.

stricken thy hand. Idiom for making a contract. Compare Job 17:3.

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

Verse 2

words = sayings. Hebrew. "imrah. App-73.

Verse 3

deliver = rescue.

Verse 5

hand. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac read "snare".

Verse 8

in the summer. True of Eastern ants.

Verse 11

poverty = need. There are six words rendered poor or poverty in Proverbs: (1) rush = in want of necessaries of life (Proverbs 6:11; Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 13:7, Proverbs 13:8, Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 13:23; Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 18:23; Proverbs 19:1, Proverbs 19:7, Proverbs 19:22; Proverbs 22:2, Proverbs 22:7; Proverbs 24:34; Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:13; Proverbs 30:8; Proverbs 31:7). (2) dal = impoverished, reduced (Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 19:4, Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 22:22; Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 8:11, Proverbs 8:15; Proverbs 29:7, Proverbs 29:14). (3) heser = in want (Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 21:17; Proverbs 28:22). (4) "anah = wretched (Proverbs 14:21). (5) "ebyon = destitute, helpless; deficient in will and wealth (Proverbs 14:31). (6) yarash = dispossessed (Proverbs 20:13; Proverbs 23:21; Proverbs 30:9).

as one that travelleth = as a highwayman.

as an armed man = as a man with a shield. Compare Proverbs 21:33, Proverbs 21:34.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

Verse 12

naughty person. Hebrew a man of Belial = a worthless person. Like Anglo-Saxon na (= no, or not) and wiht (= a thing) = a thing of naught: i.e. worthless.

wicked. Hebrew. "aven. App-44.

froward = perverse. Same word as in Proverbs 4:24; Proverbs 11:20; Proverbs 17:20; Proverbs 22:5. Not the same as elsewhere in Proverbs.

Verse 14

Frowardness = Deceitfulness. See note on Proverbs 2:12. The same word as in Proverbs 2:12, Proverbs 2:14; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 10:31, Proverbs 10:32; Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 16:30. Not the same as elsewhere in Proverbs.

soweth = casteth forth [as seed].

Verse 16

six things. Epitomising verses: Proverbs 6:12-14 (App-10).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Yea, seven. Figure of speech Epanorthosis. App-6. To imply that the list is not exhausted.

abomination. See note on Proverbs 3:32.

unto Him = unto His soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Verse 17

A proud look = eyes lifted up. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, put for pride, which is indicated by this act. This is the first, and the others proceed downward; "eyes", "tongue", "hands", "heart", "feet", and then the whole man.

Verse 21

them. This is masculine, and cannot refer to the two, above. Does it refer to the "words" and "sayings" of Proverbs 4:20?

Verse 22

it = she: referring to the "commandment" or "law" of Proverbs 6:20, which are feminine.

sleepest = liest down.

talk = commune. Three, the number of Divine completeness (App-10). Not four (as some suppose) and one "dropped out"!

Verse 23

law is light. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6), v. torah "or. In Latin it would be similar: Lex est lux.

reproofs of instruction = what is directed. Compare Proverbs 6:20.

way of life = way to life: i.e. life eternal. See note on Leviticus 18:5.

Verse 24

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

strange woman = alien, or foreign woman. Hebrew. nakar. See note on Proverbs 5:3.

Verse 26

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

Verse 27

Can a man . . . ? Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6.

take = shovel up.

Verse 30

despise. Hebrew. buz (from bazah), is here followed by (-L) = for. Render it therefore: "Men will not think it a trifle (or a light matter) for a thief that he should steal: [even] to satisfy", &c. . . . So if he be found, &c.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Verse 32

But whoso = How much more he who.

understanding. Hebrew = heart: put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for understanding.

Verse 34

a man = a strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14. Here, it is used of the jealous husband.