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Text -- Proverbs 22:1-17 (NET)

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Context
22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold. 22:2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the creator of them both. 22:3 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. 22:4 The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life. 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them. 22:6 Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 22:8 The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end. 22:9 A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. 22:10 Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease. 22:11 The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious– the king will be his friend. 22:12 The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. 22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!” 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it. 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich– both end up only in poverty.
The Sayings of the Wise
22:17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: TRAIN | THORN IN THE FLESH | SCEPTRE; SCEPTER | REAPING | Poor | PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF | POVERTY | MULCTED | LEND, LOAN | Fowler | FAIL | EYE | EDUCATION | Children | CREDITOR | CEASE | Bastinado | BOUNTIFULNESS; BOUNTY | Associations | APPLY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

Other
Critics Ask , Evidence

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Pro 22:1 - -- A good report among men, especially good men, and that hearty kindness which attends it.

A good report among men, especially good men, and that hearty kindness which attends it.

Wesley: Pro 22:2 - -- They live together, and need one another.

They live together, and need one another.

Wesley: Pro 22:2 - -- Not only as they are men, but as they are poor or rich, which difference comes from God's providence. They have one common creator, and Lord, and judg...

Not only as they are men, but as they are poor or rich, which difference comes from God's providence. They have one common creator, and Lord, and judge, and the one cannot despise nor grudge at the other without reflecting upon God.

Wesley: Pro 22:3 - -- The judgment of God threatened, and approaching.

The judgment of God threatened, and approaching.

Wesley: Pro 22:3 - -- Retires to his strong tower, by prayer and repentance, puts himself under the protection of the almighty.

Retires to his strong tower, by prayer and repentance, puts himself under the protection of the almighty.

Wesley: Pro 22:3 - -- Carefully and securely.

Carefully and securely.

Wesley: Pro 22:6 - -- Not easily and ordinarily.

Not easily and ordinarily.

Wesley: Pro 22:7 - -- Is at his mercy, and forced to comply with his pleasure.

Is at his mercy, and forced to comply with his pleasure.

Wesley: Pro 22:8 - -- That power which he used with fury shall be taken from him.

That power which he used with fury shall be taken from him.

Wesley: Pro 22:9 - -- Who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion.

Who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion.

Wesley: Pro 22:12 - -- God by the watchful eye of his providence maintains and defends.

God by the watchful eye of his providence maintains and defends.

Wesley: Pro 22:12 - -- Men of knowledge, knowing and good men.

Men of knowledge, knowing and good men.

Wesley: Pro 22:12 - -- All his hopes, enterprizes, and concerns.

All his hopes, enterprizes, and concerns.

Wesley: Pro 22:14 - -- Her fair and flattering speeches.

Her fair and flattering speeches.

Wesley: Pro 22:15 - -- Is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature.

Is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature.

Wesley: Pro 22:16 - -- That prodigally casts away his estate upon those who do not need it.

That prodigally casts away his estate upon those who do not need it.

Wesley: Pro 22:17 - -- The knowledge of God, which I am here delivering.

The knowledge of God, which I am here delivering.

JFB: Pro 22:1 - -- (Pro. 22:1-29)

(Pro. 22:1-29)

JFB: Pro 22:1 - -- (Job 30:8, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from Ecc 7:1.

(Job 30:8, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from Ecc 7:1.

JFB: Pro 22:1 - -- Kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.

Kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.

JFB: Pro 22:2 - -- Before God all are on the same footing (Pro 14:31; Pro 17:5).

Before God all are on the same footing (Pro 14:31; Pro 17:5).

JFB: Pro 22:3 - -- That is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.

That is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.

JFB: Pro 22:4 - -- Are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Pro 3:16; Pro 8:18.

Are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Pro 3:16; Pro 8:18.

JFB: Pro 22:5 - -- Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (Pro 16:17).

Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (Pro 16:17).

JFB: Pro 22:6 - -- Initiate, or early instruct.

Initiate, or early instruct.

JFB: Pro 22:6 - -- Literally, "his way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it.

Literally, "his way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it.

JFB: Pro 22:7 - -- The influence of wealth sets aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved (compare Pro 19:6; Pro 21:14, &c.).

The influence of wealth sets aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved (compare Pro 19:6; Pro 21:14, &c.).

JFB: Pro 22:8 - -- (Compare Pro 11:18; Psa 109:16-20; Gal 6:7-8).

JFB: Pro 22:8 - -- His power to do evil will be destroyed.

His power to do evil will be destroyed.

JFB: Pro 22:9 - -- That is, a beneficent disposition.

That is, a beneficent disposition.

JFB: Pro 22:9 - -- His acts prove it.

His acts prove it.

JFB: Pro 22:10 - -- Or drive away. Scorners foster strife by taunts and revilings.

Or drive away. Scorners foster strife by taunts and revilings.

JFB: Pro 22:11 - -- (Compare Margin).

(Compare Margin).

JFB: Pro 22:11 - -- And gentle, kind words win favor, even from kings.

And gentle, kind words win favor, even from kings.

JFB: Pro 22:12 - -- Or guard.

Or guard.

JFB: Pro 22:12 - -- Its principles and possessors.

Its principles and possessors.

JFB: Pro 22:12 - -- Utterly confounds and destroys the wicked.

Utterly confounds and destroys the wicked.

JFB: Pro 22:13 - -- Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.

Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.

JFB: Pro 22:14 - -- Or flattering speeches (Pro 5:3; Pro 7:5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment.

Or flattering speeches (Pro 5:3; Pro 7:5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment.

JFB: Pro 22:15 - -- Or firmly fixed. Chastisement deters from crime and so leads to reformation of principle.

Or firmly fixed. Chastisement deters from crime and so leads to reformation of principle.

JFB: Pro 22:16 - -- These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.

These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.

JFB: Pro 22:17 - -- Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be...

Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be observed that at Pro. 22:22-24:12, the proverbs are generally expressed in two verses instead of one (see Introduction).

Clarke: Pro 22:1 - -- A good name - ×©× shem , a name, put for reputation, credit, fame. Used nearly in the same way that we use it: "He has got a name;""his name stand...

A good name - ×©× shem , a name, put for reputation, credit, fame. Used nearly in the same way that we use it: "He has got a name;""his name stands high;"for "He is a man of credit and reputation." ×˜×‘× toba , καλον, hamood , and bonum , are added by the Chaldee, Septuagint, Arabiac, and Vulgate, all signifying good or excellent

Clarke: Pro 22:1 - -- Is rather to be chosen than great riches - Because character will support a man in many circumstances; and there are many rich men that have no name...

Is rather to be chosen than great riches - Because character will support a man in many circumstances; and there are many rich men that have no name: but the word of the man of character will go farther than all their riches.

Clarke: Pro 22:2 - -- The rich and poor meet together - עשיר ashir the opulent, whether in money, land, or property; רש rash , the man that is destitute of thes...

The rich and poor meet together - עשיר ashir the opulent, whether in money, land, or property; רש rash , the man that is destitute of these, and lives by his labor, whether a handicraftsman, or one that tills the ground. In the order of God, the rich and the poor live together, and are mutually helpful to each other. Without the poor, the rich could not be supplied with the articles which they consume; for the poor include all the laboring classes of society: and without the rich, the poor could get no vent for the produce of their laborer, nor, in many cases, labor itself. The poor have more time to labor than the mere necessaries of life require; their extra time is employed in providing a multitude of things which are called the superfluities of life, and which the rich especially consume. All the poor man’ s time is thus employed; and he is paid for his extra labor by the rich. The rich should not despise the poor, without whom he can neither have his comforts, nor maintain his state. The poor should not envy the rich, without whom he could neither get employment, nor the necessaries of life

Clarke: Pro 22:2 - -- The Lord is the Maker of them all - Both the states are in the order of God’ s providence and both are equally important in his sight. Merely c...

The Lord is the Maker of them all - Both the states are in the order of God’ s providence and both are equally important in his sight. Merely considered as men, God loves the simple artificer or laborer as much as he does the king; though the office of the latter, because of its entering into the plan of his government of the world, is of infinitely greatly consequence than the trade of the poor artificer. Neither should despise the other; neither should envy the other. Both are useful; both important; both absolutely necessary to each other’ s welfare and support; and both are accountable to God for the manner in which they acquit themselves in those duties of life which God has respectively assigned them. The abject poor - those who are destitute of health and the means of life - God in effect lays at the rich man’ s door, that by his superfluities they may be supported. How wise is that ordinance which has made the rich and the poor! Pity it were not better understood!

Clarke: Pro 22:3 - -- A prudent man foreseeth the evil - God in mercy has denied man the knowledge of futurity; but in its place he has given him hope and prudence. By ho...

A prudent man foreseeth the evil - God in mercy has denied man the knowledge of futurity; but in its place he has given him hope and prudence. By hope he is continually expecting and anticipating good; by prudence he derives and employs means to secure it. His experience shows him that there are many natural evils in a current state, the course of which he can neither stem nor divert: prudence shows him beforehand the means he may use to step out of their way, and hide himself. The simple - the inexperienced, headstrong, giddy, and foolish - rush on in the career of hope, without prudence to regulate, chastise, and guide it; thus they commit many faults, make many miscarriages, and suffer often in consequence; and the commission of crimes leads to punishment.

Clarke: Pro 22:5 - -- Thorns and snares - Various difficulties, trials, and sufferings.

Thorns and snares - Various difficulties, trials, and sufferings.

Clarke: Pro 22:6 - -- Train up a child in the way he should go - The Hebrew of this clause is curious: חנך לנער על פי דרכו chanoch lannaar al pi darco , "...

Train up a child in the way he should go - The Hebrew of this clause is curious: חנך לנער על פי דרכו chanoch lannaar al pi darco , "Initiate the child at the opening (the mouth) of his path."When he comes to the opening of the way of life, being able to walk alone, and to choose; stop at this entrance, and begin a series of instructions, how he is to conduct himself in every step he takes. Show him the duties, the dangers, and the blessings of the path; give him directions how to perform the duties, how to escape the dangers, and how to secure the blessings, which all lie before him. Fix these on his mind by daily inculcation, till their impression is become indelible; then lead him to practice by slow and almost imperceptible degrees, till each indelible impression becomes a strongly radicated habit. Beg incessantly the blessing of God on all this teaching and discipline; and then you have obeyed the injunction of the wisest of men. Nor is there any likelihood that such impressions shall ever be effaced, or that such habits shall ever be destroyed

חנך chanac , which we translate train up or initiate, signifies also dedicate; and is often used for the consecrating any thing, house, or person, to the service of God. Dedicate, therefore, in the first instance, your child to God; and nurse, teach, and discipline him as God’ s child, whom he has intrusted to your care. These things observed, and illustrated by your own conduct, the child (you have God’ s word for it) will never depart from the path of life. Coverdale translates the passage thus: "Yf thou teachest a childe what waye he shoulde go, he shall not leave it when he is olde."Coverdale’ s Bible, for generally giving the true sense of a passage, and in elegant language for the time, has no equal in any of the translations which have followed since. Horace’ s maxim is nearly like that of Solomon: -

Fingit equum tenera docilem cervice magiste

Ire viam, quam monstrat eques; venaticus, ex qu

Tempore cervinam pellem latravit in aula

Militat in sylvis catulus. Nunc adbibe pur

Pectore verba, puer; nunc te melioribus ofter

Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odore

Testa diu

Hor. Ep. lib. i., ep. 2, ver. 64

"The docile colt is form’ d with gentle skil

To move obedient to his rider’ s will

In the loud hall the hound is taught to ba

The buckskin trail’ d, then challenges his pre

Through the wild woods. Thus, in your hour of yout

From pure instruction quaff the words of truth

The odours of the wine that first shall stai

The virgin vessel, it shall long retain.

Francis.

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Clarke: Pro 22:7 - -- The rich ruieth over the poor - So it is in the order of God, and may be a blessing to both.

The rich ruieth over the poor - So it is in the order of God, and may be a blessing to both.

Clarke: Pro 22:8 - -- He that soweth iniquity - The crop must be according to the seed. If a man sow thistle seed, is it likely he shall reap wheat? If he sow to the fles...

He that soweth iniquity - The crop must be according to the seed. If a man sow thistle seed, is it likely he shall reap wheat? If he sow to the flesh, shall he not of the flesh reap destruction?

Clarke: Pro 22:9 - -- A bountiful eye - One that disposes him to help all that he sees to be in want; the bountiful eye means the bountiful heart; for the heart looks thr...

A bountiful eye - One that disposes him to help all that he sees to be in want; the bountiful eye means the bountiful heart; for the heart looks through the eye. The merciful heart, even when the hand has little or nothing to give, shall be blessed of the Lord.

Clarke: Pro 22:11 - -- He that loveth pureness of heart - Who aims to be what God would have him to be - the King of kings shall be his Friend. There is no class of men th...

He that loveth pureness of heart - Who aims to be what God would have him to be - the King of kings shall be his Friend. There is no class of men that value uprightness more than kings; as none stand so much in need of it in their servants.

Clarke: Pro 22:12 - -- The eyes of the Lord - (the Divine providence) preserve knowledge - This providence has been wonderfully manifested in preserving the sacred oracles...

The eyes of the Lord - (the Divine providence) preserve knowledge - This providence has been wonderfully manifested in preserving the sacred oracles, and in preserving many ancient authors, which have been of great use to the civil interests of man.

Clarke: Pro 22:13 - -- The slothful man saith, There is a lion without - But why does he say so? Because he is a slothful man. Remove his slothfulness, and these imaginary...

The slothful man saith, There is a lion without - But why does he say so? Because he is a slothful man. Remove his slothfulness, and these imaginary difficulties and dangers will be no more. He will not go abroad to work in the fields, because he thinks there is a lion in the way, he will not go out into the town for employment, as he fears to be assassinated in the streets! From both these circumstances he seeks total cessation from activity.

Clarke: Pro 22:14 - -- The mouth of strange women is a deep pit - In Pro 23:27, he says, A whore is a Deep Ditch:, oud a strange woman is a Narrow Pit The allusions in the...

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit - In Pro 23:27, he says, A whore is a Deep Ditch:, oud a strange woman is a Narrow Pit

The allusions in these three places are too plain to be misunderstood

Virgil’ s hell has been adduced in illustration: -

- Sate sanguine Divum

Tros Anchisiade, facilis decensus Averni

Noctes atque dies patet atri janua Ditis

Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras

Hoc Opus, hic Labor est

Pauci quos aequus amavi

Jupiter, aut ardens evexit ad aethera virtus

Dis geniti potuere

Virg. Aen, lib. vi., ver. 125

"O glorious prince of brave Anchises’ line

Great godlike hero! sprung from seed divine

Smooth lies the road to Pluto’ s gloomy shade

And hell’ s black gates for ever stand display’ d

But ‘ tis a long unconquerable pain

To climb to these ethereal realms again

The choice-selected few, whom favoring Jove

Or their own virtue, rais’ d to heaven above

From these dark realms emerged again to day

The mighty sons of gods, and only they

Pitt.

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Clarke: Pro 22:16 - -- He that oppresseth the poor - He who, in order to obtain the favor of the rich and great, either robs or cheats the poor, to make those men presents...

He that oppresseth the poor - He who, in order to obtain the favor of the rich and great, either robs or cheats the poor, to make those men presents; or gives in presents to them, for the sake of honor and reputation, what he should have given to the poor, shall surely come to want.

Clarke: Pro 22:17 - -- Bow down thine ear - From this to the end of Pro 22:21 are contained, not proverbs, but directions how to profit by that which wisdom has already de...

Bow down thine ear - From this to the end of Pro 22:21 are contained, not proverbs, but directions how to profit by that which wisdom has already delivered; the nature of the instruction, and the end for which it was given

I shall give a paraphrase of this very important passage: -

I.    Solomon addresses his pupils on the use of his past teachings. See on Pro 22:6 (note)

1.    The wise man speaks; and all his words, not merely his sentiments, are to be carefully heard

2.    He speaks knowledge - gives doctrines true in themselves, and confirmed by observation and experience

3.    These are to be heard with humility and deep attention: "Bow down thine ear.

4.    They must not only be heard, but meditated and pondered: "Apply thine heart to my knowledge."

Defender: Pro 22:6 - -- "Train up" is from a Hebrew word normally translated "dedicate" or "consecrate." The phrase "in the way he should go" is, literally, "according to his...

"Train up" is from a Hebrew word normally translated "dedicate" or "consecrate." The phrase "in the way he should go" is, literally, "according to his way" - that is, the "way" intended for him by his God-given abilities and interests. Parents should seek to ascertain this in a child's nature, and then dedicate him or her to that sacred cause, that the child, when grown, may make the optimum contribution to the kingdom of God."

Defender: Pro 22:15 - -- Modern theories of child-raising which allow children full freedom of expression when they are not yet wise or experienced enough to make intelligent ...

Modern theories of child-raising which allow children full freedom of expression when they are not yet wise or experienced enough to make intelligent choices are self-defeating (Pro 13:24)."

TSK: Pro 22:1 - -- name : 1Ki 1:47; Ecc 7:1; Luk 10:20; Phi 4:3; Heb 11:39 loving favour rather than : or, favour is better than, etc. Act 7:10

name : 1Ki 1:47; Ecc 7:1; Luk 10:20; Phi 4:3; Heb 11:39

loving favour rather than : or, favour is better than, etc. Act 7:10

TSK: Pro 22:2 - -- rich : Pro 29:13; 1Sa 2:7; Psa 49:1, Psa 49:2; Luk 16:19, Luk 16:20; 1Co 12:21; Jam 2:2-5 the Lord : Pro 14:31; Job 31:15, Job 34:19

TSK: Pro 22:3 - -- prudent : Pro 14:16, Pro 27:12; Exo 9:20, Exo 9:21; Isa 26:20, Isa 26:21; Mat 24:15-18; 1Th 5:2-6; Heb 6:18, Heb 11:7 the simple : Pro 7:7, Pro 7:22, ...

TSK: Pro 22:4 - -- By : etc. Heb. The reward of humility, etc. Pro 3:16, Pro 21:21; Psa 34:9, Psa 34:10, Psa 112:1-3; Isa 33:6, Isa 57:15; Mat 6:33; 1Ti 4:8; Jam 4:6, Ja...

By : etc. Heb. The reward of humility, etc. Pro 3:16, Pro 21:21; Psa 34:9, Psa 34:10, Psa 112:1-3; Isa 33:6, Isa 57:15; Mat 6:33; 1Ti 4:8; Jam 4:6, Jam 4:10

TSK: Pro 22:5 - -- Thorns : Pro 13:15, Pro 15:19; Jos 23:13; Job 18:8; Psa 11:6, Psa 18:26, Psa 18:27 he : Pro 13:3, Pro 16:17, Pro 19:16; Psa 91:1; 1Jo 5:18; Jud 1:20, ...

TSK: Pro 22:6 - -- Train up : or, Catechize a child : Gen 18:19; Deu 4:9, Deu 6:7; Psa 78:3-6; Eph 6:4; 2Ti 3:15 the way : Heb. his way when : 1Sa 1:28, 1Sa 2:26, 1Sa 12...

Train up : or, Catechize

a child : Gen 18:19; Deu 4:9, Deu 6:7; Psa 78:3-6; Eph 6:4; 2Ti 3:15

the way : Heb. his way

when : 1Sa 1:28, 1Sa 2:26, 1Sa 12:2, 1Sa 12:3

TSK: Pro 22:7 - -- rich : Pro 22:16, Pro 22:22, Pro 14:31, Pro 18:23; Amo 2:6, Amo 4:1, Amo 5:11, Amo 5:12, Amo 8:4, Amo 8:6; Jam 2:6, Jam 5:1, Jam 5:4 the borrower : 2K...

TSK: Pro 22:8 - -- that : Job 4:8; Hos 8:7, Hos 10:13; Gal 6:7, Gal 6:8 the rod of his anger shall fail : or, with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed, Pro 14:3; P...

that : Job 4:8; Hos 8:7, Hos 10:13; Gal 6:7, Gal 6:8

the rod of his anger shall fail : or, with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed, Pro 14:3; Psa 125:3; Isa 9:4, Isa 10:5, Isa 14:29, Isa 30:31

TSK: Pro 22:9 - -- He that hath a bountiful eye : Heb. Good of eye, Pro 11:25, Pro 19:17, Pro 21:13; Deu 15:7-11, Deu 28:56; Job 31:16-20; Psa 41:1-3; Psa 112:9; Ecc 11:...

TSK: Pro 22:10 - -- Pro 21:24, Pro 26:20, Pro 26:21; Gen 21:9, Gen 21:10; Neh 4:1-3, Neh 13:28; Psa 101:5; Mat 18:17; 1Co 5:5, 1Co 5:6, 1Co 5:13

TSK: Pro 22:11 - -- that : Pro 16:13; Psa 101:6; Mat 5:8 for the grace of his lips : or, and hath grace in his lips, Psa 45:2; Luk 4:22 the king : Gen. 41:39-57; Ezr 7:6-...

that : Pro 16:13; Psa 101:6; Mat 5:8

for the grace of his lips : or, and hath grace in his lips, Psa 45:2; Luk 4:22

the king : Gen. 41:39-57; Ezr 7:6-11; Neh 2:4-6; Est 10:3; Dan 2:46-49, Dan 3:30; Dan 6:20-23

TSK: Pro 22:12 - -- eyes : 2Ch 16:9; Isa 59:19-21; Mat 16:16-18; Act 5:39, Act 12:23, Act 12:24; Rev 11:3-11; Rev 12:14-17 he : Job 5:12, Job 5:13; Act 8:9-12, Act 13:8-1...

TSK: Pro 22:13 - -- The slothful : That is, the slothful man uses any pretext, however improbable, to indulge his love of ease and indolence. Pro 15:19, Pro 26:13-16; Num...

The slothful : That is, the slothful man uses any pretext, however improbable, to indulge his love of ease and indolence. Pro 15:19, Pro 26:13-16; Num 13:32, Num 13:33

TSK: Pro 22:14 - -- mouth : Pro 2:16-19, 5:3-23, Pro 6:24-29, 7:5-27, Pro 23:27; Jdg 16:20, Jdg 16:21; Neh 13:26; Ecc 7:26 a deep pit : That is, it is like a deep pit, or...

mouth : Pro 2:16-19, 5:3-23, Pro 6:24-29, 7:5-27, Pro 23:27; Jdg 16:20, Jdg 16:21; Neh 13:26; Ecc 7:26

a deep pit : That is, it is like a deep pit, or pitfall, in which animals are often taken alive.

abhorred : Deu 32:19; Psa 81:12

TSK: Pro 22:15 - -- Foolishness : Job 14:4; Psa 51:5; Joh 3:6; Eph 2:3 but : Pro 13:24, Pro 19:18, Pro 23:13, Pro 23:14, Pro 29:15, Pro 29:17; Heb 12:10, Heb 12:11

TSK: Pro 22:16 - -- that oppresseth : Pro 22:22, Pro 22:23, Pro 14:31, Pro 28:3; Job 20:19-29; Psa 12:5; Mic 2:2, Mic 2:3; Zec 7:9-14; Jam 2:13, Jam 5:1-5 he that giveth ...

TSK: Pro 22:17 - -- Bow : Pro 2:2-5, Pro 5:1, Pro 5:2 and hear : Pro 1:3, Pro 3:1, Pro 4:4-8, Pro 8:33, Pro 8:34; Isa 55:3; Mat 17:5 apply : Pro 23:12; Psa 90:12; Ecc 7:2...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Pro 22:1 - -- Omit "good."The word is an insertion. To the Hebrew, "name"by itself conveyed the idea of good repute, just as "men without a name"(compare Job 30:8...

Omit "good."The word is an insertion. To the Hebrew, "name"by itself conveyed the idea of good repute, just as "men without a name"(compare Job 30:8 margin) are those sunk in ignominy. The margin gives a preferable rendering of the second clause of this verse.

Barnes: Pro 22:2 - -- Compare the margin reference. Another recognition of the oneness of a common humanity, overriding all distinctions of rank.

Compare the margin reference. Another recognition of the oneness of a common humanity, overriding all distinctions of rank.

Barnes: Pro 22:4 - -- Better, (compare the margin) The reward of humility (is) the fear of the Lord, "riches, and honor, and life.

Better, (compare the margin) The reward of humility (is) the fear of the Lord, "riches, and honor, and life.

Barnes: Pro 22:6 - -- Train - Initiate, and so, educate. The way he should go - Or, according to the tenor of his way, i. e., the path especially belonging to,...

Train - Initiate, and so, educate.

The way he should go - Or, according to the tenor of his way, i. e., the path especially belonging to, especially fitted for, the individual’ s character. The proverb enjoins the closest possible study of each child’ s temperament and the adaptation of "his way of life"to that.

Barnes: Pro 22:8 - -- The rod of his anger - That with which he smites others (compare Isa 14:6). The King James Version describes the final impotence of the wrath o...

The rod of his anger - That with which he smites others (compare Isa 14:6). The King James Version describes the final impotence of the wrath of the wicked.

Barnes: Pro 22:9 - -- He that hath a bountiful eye - literally, as in the margin, contrasted with the "evil eye"of Pro 28:22.

He that hath a bountiful eye - literally, as in the margin, contrasted with the "evil eye"of Pro 28:22.

Barnes: Pro 22:11 - -- More literally, "He that loveth pureness of heart, his lips are gracious, the king is his friend."

More literally, "He that loveth pureness of heart, his lips are gracious, the king is his friend."

Barnes: Pro 22:13 - -- The point of the satire is the ingenuity with which the slothful man devises the most improbable alarms. He hears that "there is a lion without,"i. ...

The point of the satire is the ingenuity with which the slothful man devises the most improbable alarms. He hears that "there is a lion without,"i. e., in the broad open country; he is afraid of being slain in the very streets of the city.

Barnes: Pro 22:14 - -- The fall of the man into the snare of the harlot seems to be the consequence of the abhorrence or wrath of Yahweh. That abhorrence is, however, the ...

The fall of the man into the snare of the harlot seems to be the consequence of the abhorrence or wrath of Yahweh. That abhorrence is, however, the result of previous evil. The man is left to himself, and sin becomes the penalty of sin.

Barnes: Pro 22:16 - -- Better, He who oppresses the poor for his own profit gives. (i. e., will, in the common course of things, be compelled to give) to a rich man, and t...

Better, He who oppresses the poor for his own profit gives. (i. e., will, in the common course of things, be compelled to give) to a rich man, and that only to his own loss. Ill-gotten gains do not prosper, and only expose the oppressor to extortion and violence in his turn.

Barnes: Pro 22:17 - -- This is the commencement of a new and entirely distinct section, opening, after the fashion of Pro 3:1, Pro 3:21; Pro 4:1; Pro 7:1; with a general e...

This is the commencement of a new and entirely distinct section, opening, after the fashion of Pro 3:1, Pro 3:21; Pro 4:1; Pro 7:1; with a general exhortation Pro 22:17-21 and passing on to special precepts. The "words of the wise"may be a title to the section: compare Pro 24:23. The general characteristics of this section appear to be

(1) a less close attention to the laws of parallelism, and

(2) a tendency to longer and more complicated sentences. Compare the Introduction to Proverbs.

Poole: Pro 22:1 - -- A good name Heb. name put for good name , as Ecc 7:1 , the word good being easily understood out of the next clause, in which it is expressed ...

A good name Heb. name put for good name , as Ecc 7:1 , the word good being easily understood out of the next clause, in which it is expressed in the Hebrew text. A good reputation amongst wise and good men.

Is rather to be chosen than great riches partly, because it is a most special blessing from God, being appropriated to worthy persons, whereas God commonly throws away riches upon the basest of men; partly, because it gives a man that tranquillity and satisfaction of mind, and that content and comfort in his condition, which no riches can purchase; and partly, because as it is commonly an evidence of a man’ s virtue and piety, so it is accompanied with God’ s love and favour, whereas riches are oft given by God in wrath, and to the hurt of the owner.

Loving favour or, good grace or favour ; a good report among men, especially among good men, and that hearty love and kindness which attends upon it.

Poole: Pro 22:2 - -- The rich and poor meet together either, 1. In a way of hostility or opposition, as this word is sometimes used; the rich contemning and oppressing t...

The rich and poor meet together either,

1. In a way of hostility or opposition, as this word is sometimes used; the rich contemning and oppressing the poor, and the poor envying and purloining from the rich; and so the following words are a reason why that hostility should cease. Or,

2. In the way of mutual converse; they live together, and need one another.

The Lord is the Maker of them all not only as they are men, but also as they are poor or rich, which difference comes wholly from God’ s providence; they have one common Creator, and Lord, and Judge, and the one cannot despise nor grudge at the other without a reflection upon God.

Poole: Pro 22:3 - -- The evil the calamity or judgment of God threatened and approaching. Hideth himself retireth to his strong tower, mentioned Pro 18:10 ; by prayer a...

The evil the calamity or judgment of God threatened and approaching.

Hideth himself retireth to his strong tower, mentioned Pro 18:10 ; by prayer and repentance putteth himself under the protection of the Almighty. Compare Isa 26:20 .

Pass on in their former road and course of sin, carelessly and securely, as travellers do in a road where they apprehend no danger.

Poole: Pro 22:4 - -- By humility or, because of humility ; or, as many others render it, the reward of humility ; that reward which God hath graciously promised and wil...

By humility or, because of humility ; or, as many others render it, the reward of humility ; that reward which God hath graciously promised and will give to humility; which is a grace of great price in God’ s eyes. See Isa 57:15 Jam 4:6 .

The fear of the Lord by which he distinguisheth true and Christian humility from counterfeit and moral humility, because that ariseth from a deep sense of God’ s greatness, and purity, and perfection, compared with our meanness, and filthiness and manifold imperfections, whereas this is quite of another nature, and from other grounds.

Life the comforts of this life, and the happiness of the next, both which are promised to godliness, 1Th 4:8 .

Poole: Pro 22:5 - -- Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward the wicked by their evil courses expose themselves to many dangers and occasions both of sin and misc...

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward the wicked by their evil courses expose themselves to many dangers and occasions both of sin and mischief.

He that doth keep his soul that taketh heed to himself, and to his actions, and to the saving of his life and soul,

shall be far from them either,

1. Will avoid the society of such froward persons. Or,

2. Shall by that circumspection preserve himself from those thorns , &c., with which the pronoun them agrees in number.

Poole: Pro 22:6 - -- Train up or, initiate or instruct, a child in the way he should go , Heb. in or according to his way , i.e. either, 1. According to his capacity...

Train up or, initiate or instruct, a child in the way he should go , Heb. in or according to his way , i.e. either,

1. According to his capacity. Or rather,

2. In that course or manner of life which thou wouldst have him choose and follow. Or, as one learned man renders it, in the beginning of his way , i.e. in his tender years, as soon as he is capable of instruction. Heb. in the mouth , &c. The mouth is oft put for the beginning or entrance of any place, as Gen 29:2 Jos 10:18 Pro 8:3 Dan 6:17 . Will not depart from it , to wit, not easily and ordinarily. The impressions made in childish years will remain, as hath been observed by all sorts of learned writers. But this, as many proverbs of like nature, are not to be understood as if they were universally and necessarily true, which experience confutes, but because it is so for the most part, except some extraordinary cause hinder it.

Poole: Pro 22:7 - -- Ruleth over the poor to wit, with rigour and tyranny, taking advantage of his necessities. Is servant to the lender is at his mercy, and therefore ...

Ruleth over the poor to wit, with rigour and tyranny, taking advantage of his necessities.

Is servant to the lender is at his mercy, and therefore forced to comply with his pleasure. The design of the proverb is partly to correct this miscarriage of the rich, and partly to oblige all men to diligence, whereby they may deliver themselves from this servitude.

Poole: Pro 22:8 - -- He that soweth iniquity or unrighteousness , whose common practice it is to wrong or oppress others, shall reap vanity or, trouble or misery , ...

He that soweth iniquity or unrighteousness , whose common practice it is to wrong or oppress others,

shall reap vanity or, trouble or misery , as this word is commonly used, and as divers here render it. The mischief which he hath done to others shall be returned to him by God’ s righteous sentence.

The rod of his anger shall fail that power which he used with fury and cruelty shall be taken away from him.

Poole: Pro 22:9 - -- He that hath a bountiful eye Heb. a good eye , he who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion and kindness, as this phrase is us...

He that hath a bountiful eye Heb. a good eye , he who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion and kindness, as this phrase is used, Mat 20:15 ; as an evil eye is put for one that beholds others with envy and unmercifulness, Deu 15:9 Pro 23:6 28:22

Shall be blessed both by God and men.

Poole: Pro 22:10 - -- Cast out of your society avoid conversation with, the scorner; who neither fears God, nor reverences man, but scorns all admonitions, and minds only ...

Cast out of your society avoid conversation with, the scorner; who neither fears God, nor reverences man, but scorns all admonitions, and minds only the pleasing of himself, and the gratifying of his own lusts, which is the chief cause of most contentions.

Strife and reproach wherewith he loads those that either oppose or admonish him.

Poole: Pro 22:11 - -- That loveth pureness of heart who is plain-hearted or sincere, and abhors dissimulation. For the grace of his lips; for those gracious speeches which...

That loveth pureness of heart who is plain-hearted or sincere, and abhors dissimulation. For the grace of his lips; for those gracious speeches which naturally and commonly flow from a pure heart. Or, and (understand, loveth , out of the former clause) grace of his lips ; whose discourse is gracious and sincere.

The king shall be his friend the greatest men will, or should, desire and highly prize the acquaintance and advice of such persons, rather than of dissemblers and flatterers, wherewith they are most commonly pestered.

Poole: Pro 22:12 - -- The eyes of the Lord preserve God by the watchful eye of his providence maintains and defends, knowledge to wit, men of knowledge; the abstract bei...

The eyes of the Lord preserve God by the watchful eye of his providence maintains and defends,

knowledge to wit, men of knowledge; the abstract being put for the concrete, as pride is put for a proud man , Psa 36:11 , deceit for the deceitful , as Pro 12:17 : so here knowledge for knowing and good men, such as the last verse spoke of, whose hearts are pure, and speeches gracious; not only the king shall be their friend, as he said there, but God also, which he adds here,

The words their false and flattering speeches, whereby they designed and expected to gain the favour and friendship of great men, which are opposed to the sincere and gracious speeches of good men, implied in the first cause of this verse, and expressed in the foregoing verse; or, as others render it, and the word is very commonly used, the matters; all his counsels, hopes, enterprises, and concerns.

Poole: Pro 22:13 - -- Saith allegeth as his excuse to them who upbraid him with idleness, or persuade him to diligence, There is a lion without there are extreme dangers...

Saith allegeth as his excuse to them who upbraid him with idleness, or persuade him to diligence,

There is a lion without there are extreme dangers and invincible difficulties in my way.

I shall be slain by that lion, or some other way.

In the streets which is added to show the ridiculousness of his excuse; for lions abide in the woods or fields, not in the streets of towns or cities.

Poole: Pro 22:14 - -- The mouth her fair and flattering speeches, wherewith she enticeth him to gross filthiness, as it is noted, Pro 7:21 . A deep pit into which it is ...

The mouth her fair and flattering speeches, wherewith she enticeth him to gross filthiness, as it is noted, Pro 7:21 .

A deep pit into which it is easy to fall, but hard, if not impossible, to get out of it. It is a rare thing for any person, once entered into the course of whoredom, sincerely to repent of it, and turn from it. See Pro 2:19 .

That is abhorred of the Lord to wit, in a high and singular manner; who by his former impieties, and contempt of God and of his grace, hath provoked God to leave and loathe him, and to punish one sin with another; for otherwise all sinners, as such, are abhorred by God.

Poole: Pro 22:15 - -- Is bound is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature, and not plucked up without great difficulty and diligence...

Is bound is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature, and not plucked up without great difficulty and diligence.

The rod of correction shall drive it far from him the smart of punishment makes him weary of his sin, and watchful against it.

Poole: Pro 22:16 - -- That giveth to the rich that vainly and prodigally casts away his estate upon those who do not need it, or gives it to them with evil design, as that...

That giveth to the rich that vainly and prodigally casts away his estate upon those who do not need it, or gives it to them with evil design, as that they may assist him in oppressing the poor, or at least not hinder him in it.

Poole: Pro 22:17 - -- Of the wise of wise and holy men of God. Apply thine heart thirst after it, and give of thyself to the diligent study of it. My knowledge the kno...

Of the wise of wise and holy men of God.

Apply thine heart thirst after it, and give of thyself to the diligent study of it.

My knowledge the knowledge of God, and of thy several duties, which I am here delivering to thee.

Haydock: Pro 22:1 - -- Good. Hebrew, "a name," or reputation. (Haydock) --- It is preferable to riches, but not to be compared with virtue, which is the only solid good;...

Good. Hebrew, "a name," or reputation. (Haydock) ---

It is preferable to riches, but not to be compared with virtue, which is the only solid good; and even to be placed above riches, it must be well grounded. (Calmet) ---

Favour with all. (Haydock)

Haydock: Pro 22:2 - -- Another. They stand in need of one another. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xxxiv. in 1 Corinthians.) --- They are equal in God's sight, who only values rea...

Another. They stand in need of one another. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xxxiv. in 1 Corinthians.) ---

They are equal in God's sight, who only values real virtue. He disposes of riches, so that the poor may one day become rich. (Calmet)

Haydock: Pro 22:4 - -- Fruit. Literally, "the end of modesty, (Haydock) or moderation, which must accompany every virtue.

Fruit. Literally, "the end of modesty, (Haydock) or moderation, which must accompany every virtue.

Haydock: Pro 22:5 - -- Perverse. They are always in danger and in trouble.

Perverse. They are always in danger and in trouble.

Haydock: Pro 22:6 - -- It is a proverb, is added by St. Jerome, to make the sentence more striking. --- It. He is like a tender plant, (Calmet) or wax, or a new vessel. ...

It is a proverb, is added by St. Jerome, to make the sentence more striking. ---

It. He is like a tender plant, (Calmet) or wax, or a new vessel. Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem

Testa diu. (Horace, ep. i. ad Lol.)

--- "Shall wool regain its whiteness after it has been dyed purple?" (St. Jerome, ad Lætam.) ---

Hebrew, "initiate a young," &c. Proportion your lessons to his capacity, and make him relish them.

Haydock: Pro 22:7 - -- Servant. He might be sold, &c., Exodus xxii. 3., and Matthew xviii. 25. (Gell. xx. 1.) Plato (Leg. viii.) would have nothing sold on credit. Thes...

Servant. He might be sold, &c., Exodus xxii. 3., and Matthew xviii. 25. (Gell. xx. 1.) Plato (Leg. viii.) would have nothing sold on credit. These laws appear to be severe; but they are founded on wisdom, as nothing impoverishes more than the facility of borrowing.

Haydock: Pro 22:8 - -- Consumed. Or beaten with the flail of God's anger.

Consumed. Or beaten with the flail of God's anger.

Haydock: Pro 22:9 - -- Is. Hebrew, "has a good eye," in opposition to the evil, or malicious one, Matthew xx. 15. --- He, &c., is not in Hebrew, or in the Latin editio...

Is. Hebrew, "has a good eye," in opposition to the evil, or malicious one, Matthew xx. 15. ---

He, &c., is not in Hebrew, or in the Latin edition of Comp. and St. Jerome.

Haydock: Pro 22:11 - -- He. Septuagint, "the Lord loveth pious hearts. All the irreproachable are acceptable to him. The king feeds with lips," by his just ordinances. (...

He. Septuagint, "the Lord loveth pious hearts. All the irreproachable are acceptable to him. The king feeds with lips," by his just ordinances. (Haydock) ---

Kings hate duplicity; but require that the truth should be disclosed to them in a suitable manner.

Haydock: Pro 22:13 - -- Streets. Vain excuses of sloth!

Streets. Vain excuses of sloth!

Haydock: Pro 22:14 - -- It. Debauchery resembles hell, chap. xxiii. 23. (Calmet) --- Facilis descensus Averni, &c. (Virgil, Æneid vi.)

It. Debauchery resembles hell, chap. xxiii. 23. (Calmet) ---

Facilis descensus Averni, &c. (Virgil, Æneid vi.)

Haydock: Pro 22:15 - -- Folly. Ignorance and innate corruption are corrected by a good education.

Folly. Ignorance and innate corruption are corrected by a good education.

Haydock: Pro 22:17 - -- Incline. Thus Solomon concludes his discourse, (chap. xxiv. 23.) in the same manner as he began it, to chap. x. Some commence the third book of Pro...

Incline. Thus Solomon concludes his discourse, (chap. xxiv. 23.) in the same manner as he began it, to chap. x. Some commence the third book of Proverbs in this place; others, chap. xxv. (Calmet)

Gill: Pro 22:1 - -- A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,.... The word "good" is not in the text, but is rightly supplied, as it is by the Targum, Septu...

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,.... The word "good" is not in the text, but is rightly supplied, as it is by the Targum, Septuagint, and Vulgate Latin versions; for it is not any name that is more eligible than riches; nor is it a need name among any sort of persons; for to have a good name with some turns to a man's reproach rather than to his credit; but a good name among good men, a name in the house of God, which is better than sons and daughters; a new name, the name of the children of God, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it; this is to be preferred to a multitude of riches: it is not to be procured by them, and is where they are not, or are lost, but this continues; see Ecc 7:1;

and loving favour rather them silver and gold; favour with God and man, especially with God, whose loving kindness is better than life, and all the enjoyments of it: or, as it may be rendered, "grace is better than silver and gold" p; the grace of God through Christ, the grace of Christ, in whom all fulness of it dwells, the grace of the Spirit of Christ; faith is more precious than gold that perisheth; and if a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would be contemned; the Spirit and his grace are not to be purchased for money.

Gill: Pro 22:2 - -- The rich and poor meet together,.... In an hostile way, as some; they rush upon one another; the rich despise the poor, and the poor envy the rich; th...

The rich and poor meet together,.... In an hostile way, as some; they rush upon one another; the rich despise the poor, and the poor envy the rich; they cannot speak well one of another, as the Arabic version; or they are dependent on one another, they cannot do without each other; as in the natural body one member cannot say to another, I have no need of thee; so, in the body politic, the rich and the poor cannot say they have no need of one another; the rich stand in need of the poor to till their land, to plough and sow, and do all other servile works for them; and the poor have need of the rich to employ them; have need of their money as their wages for their work, to support themselves and families with: or they sometimes change conditions, and so meet; the poor grow rich, and the rich become poor; the one goes uphill and the other downhill, and so meet in their passage. They meet together in all places of the earth; go where you will, there are rich and poor. The godly rich and poor meet together in one place to worship God; they meet together in a Gospel church state, enjoying the same privileges and ordinances; and will all meet the Lord, and all meet together at his judgment seat; and they will meet in heaven, and be together to all eternity, where the distinction will cease: and the wicked rich and poor meet together to commit sin; and they meet together in the grave q, where there is no difference; and they will meet at the bar of God at the last day, and in hell, where they will be together for evermore;

the Lord is the Maker of them all: not only as men, but as rich men and poor men; God gives riches to whom he pleases, and poverty to whom he pleases; riches and poverty are according to the order of divine Providence; and he can and does change scenes at his pleasure; wherefore the rich should consider themselves as dependent on him, and not despise and crush the poor; and the poor should be content with their state, as being allotted to them by the Lord, who can alter it when he thinks fit.

Gill: Pro 22:3 - -- A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself,.... A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious...

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself,.... A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious and careful of his conduct and behaviour; he foresees the evil of sin he is liable to be drawn into by such and such company, snares, and temptations; and therefore he keeps from them, and abstains from all appearance of evil, or what would lead him to it; and he foresees the evil of punishment, or the judgments of God that are coming on for sin; and he betakes himself to the Lord, to those hiding places and chambers of retreat and protection he has provided for his people, till the indignation be overpast; see Isa 26:20;

but the simple pass on, and are punished: foolish persons, devoid of the grace of God and the fear of him, go on careless and unconcerned in their sinful course of life, transgressing the law of God; they proceed from evil to evil, from lesser to greater sins; they go on in the broad road to destruction, and are punished with temporal judgments here, and with everlasting destruction hereafter.

Gill: Pro 22:4 - -- By humility and the fear of the Lord,.... Some render it, "the reward of humility, which is the fear of the Lord" r; so the Targum; an humble man is...

By humility and the fear of the Lord,.... Some render it, "the reward of humility, which is the fear of the Lord" r; so the Targum; an humble man is blessed with it. Jarchi's note is,

"because of humility, the fear of the Lord comes;''

humility leads on to the fear of the Lord; he that behaves humbly towards man comes at length to fear the Lord, and be truly religious: though these are rather to be considered as the graces of the Spirit of God, which go together where there is one, there is the other; he that is humbled under a sense of sin, and his own unworthiness, fears the Lord; and he that fears the Lord, and his goodness, will walk humbly before him; they both flow from the grace of God, are very ornamental, and attended with the following happy consequences;

are riches, and honour, and life; spiritual riches, the riches of grace and glory; honour with God and men now, and everlasting life in the world to come.

Gill: Pro 22:5 - -- Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward,.... Who walks contrary to the will and law of God; such a man meets with troubles, which are as tho...

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward,.... Who walks contrary to the will and law of God; such a man meets with troubles, which are as thorns, grieving and distressing to him; and is taken in snares, and brought into difficulties, out of which he is not easily extricated; the thorns of affliction, and the snares of Satan: by the one his way is hedged up, and in the other his feet are taken;

he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them; he that is concerned for the good of his soul, is careful for the welfare of that, and takes heed to his ways where and how he walks, will be far both from the way of the froward, and from the thorns and snares which are in his way.

Gill: Pro 22:6 - -- Train up a child in the way he should go,.... As Abraham trained up his children, and those born in his house, in the way of the Lord, in the paths of...

Train up a child in the way he should go,.... As Abraham trained up his children, and those born in his house, in the way of the Lord, in the paths of justice and judgment; which are the ways in which they should go, and which will be to their profit and advantage; see Gen 14:14; and which is the duty of parents and masters in all ages, and under the present Gospel dispensation, even to bring such who are under their care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Eph 6:4; by praying with them and for them, by bringing them under the means of grace, the ministry of the word, by instructing them in the principles of religion, teaching them their duty to God and man, and setting them good examples of a holy life and conversation; and this is to be done according to their capacity, and as they are able to understand and receive the instructions given them: "according to the mouth of his way" s, as it may be literally rendered; as soon as he is able to speak or go, even from his infancy; or as children are fed by little bits, or a little at a time, as their mouths can receive it;

and when he is old he will not depart from it; not easily, nor ordinarily; there are exceptions to this observation; but generally, where there is a good education, the impressions of it do not easily wear off, nor do men ordinarily forsake a good way they have been brought up in t; and, however, when, being come to years of maturity and understanding, their hearts are seasoned with the grace of God, they are then enabled to put that in practice which before they had only in theory, and so continue in the paths of truth and holiness.

Gill: Pro 22:7 - -- The rich ruleth over the poor,.... Usurps a dominion over them, and exercises it in a rigorous, oppressive, and tyrannical manner; otherwise they are ...

The rich ruleth over the poor,.... Usurps a dominion over them, and exercises it in a rigorous, oppressive, and tyrannical manner; otherwise they are generally the rich that rule, and if they rule well, in a lawful, gentle, and righteous manner, it is commendable;

and the borrower is servant to the lender; being under obligation to him, he is forced to be subject to him, and comply with his humours, and do and say as he would have him; it was a happiness promised to the Israelites, that they should lend to many nations, but not borrow, Deu 15:6; compare with this Neh 5:4.

Gill: Pro 22:8 - -- He that soweth iniquity u shall reap vanity,.... He that practises sin, and is frequent in the commission of it; indulges to it in a profuse way, as t...

He that soweth iniquity u shall reap vanity,.... He that practises sin, and is frequent in the commission of it; indulges to it in a profuse way, as the sower plentifully scatters his seed; such shall reaper possess nothing but sin and wickedness; for, what a man sows, that shall he reap; he shall eat the fruit of his doings, and have the reward of his works; see Job 4:8; or "nothing" w, mere emptiness; it shall not answer; he shall have in the end neither pleasure nor profit, but the contrary; "shall reap evil things", as the Septuagint, Arabic, and Vulgate Latin versions render it;

and the rod of his anger shall fail; with which he has ruled and smitten others in an angry and cruel manner; this shall be taken from him; his authority shall fail, and he shall become subject to others, and be used in like manner; see Isa 14:4. R. Joseph Kimchi interprets it of "the rod of the increase" of the earth, or the rod or flail with which the fruits of the earth are threshed or beaten out, which should fail before they were reaped; and Schultens x has reference to the same, and gives the sense, that a wicked man that sows iniquity, when he thinks his harvest is ripe, shall be beaten with the flail, by which he shall be consumed; and he that threshed others shall be threshed himself.

Gill: Pro 22:9 - -- He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed,.... Or "a good eye" y; who looks about him for proper objects to do good unto; looks pleasantly on them...

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed,.... Or "a good eye" y; who looks about him for proper objects to do good unto; looks pleasantly on them, and deals out cheerfully and bountifully to them; he shall be blessed with an increase of temporal good things, with spiritual blessings, and with eternal glory and happiness; when he does what he does from principles of grace, with a view to the glory of God, not depending on what he does, but upon the grace of God, and the righteousness of Christ;

for he giveth of his bread to the poor; what is his own and a part of it; not all, for he reserves some as he ought for himself and his; but he does not eat his morsel alone, he gives of it to the necessitous; his beneficent hand is a proof of his bountiful eye and liberal heart.

Gill: Pro 22:10 - -- Cast out the scorner,.... That makes a mock at sin, a jest at religion, and scoffs at all good men, and everything serious and spiritual; cast such an...

Cast out the scorner,.... That makes a mock at sin, a jest at religion, and scoffs at all good men, and everything serious and spiritual; cast such an one out of all company and conversation; out of the family, as mocking Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's family; and out of the church, and all religious societies. Jarchi interprets it of the evil imagination or corruption of nature; but this will continue with a man as long as he lives, and, though it may be weakened and subdued, it is not cast out;

and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease; which are caused by the scorner, who stirs up contention and strife in all company where he is, in families, and churches; and is continually casting reproach on good men and things; but, when he is cast out, everything of this nature ceases, and peace and love take place.

Gill: Pro 22:11 - -- He that loveth pureness of heart,.... Though man's heart is naturally impure, and all that is in it, the thoughts, affections, mind, conscience, under...

He that loveth pureness of heart,.... Though man's heart is naturally impure, and all that is in it, the thoughts, affections, mind, conscience, understanding, and will; yet there is such a thing as pureness of heart; as where the grace of God is; where there it pure love to God, Christ, and to holy and heavenly things and persons; where there is pure and unfeigned faith in Christ, and a purifying hope of eternal life by him; where the Holy Spirit dwells as a sanctifier, and Christ dwells by faith; where there is sincerity and integrity; and where the heart is sprinkled by the blood of Christ from an evil conscience: and, though none are entirely free from impurity of flesh and spirit, yet every good man hates the impurity that is in him, and loves purity, and is desirous of it, and makes use of all means for it; and he loves a man of a pure heart, as Aben Ezra interprets it; he loves pureness of heart in himself and others. Some versions understand this of God: the Septuagint and Arabic versions are, "God loveth holy hearts"; and so the Targum,

"God loveth the pure in heart:''

the Syriac version differs,

"he loves God that is pure in heart;''

but all wrong; the sense is as before given;

for the grace of his lips; or, "grace is in his lips"; or, "his lips are grace" z, or gracious; as the lips of Christ, though in a greater measure and degree, Psa 45:2; as is a man's heart, so are his lips, A man of a pure heart will speak a pure language; a good man will talk of good things; a wise man of wisdom, and a gracious man of the grace of God; of the doctrines of grace he has received; of the blessings of grace bestowed on him; of the promises of grace applied unto him; of the experiences of grace he has been favoured with; of things grateful and acceptable to others, which minister grace, and are to the use of edifying;

the king shall be his friend; carry himself friendly to him, admit him to familiarity with him, take him into his court, and make him of his privy council; this is what a king should do, and what a wise and good king will do, and it is his interest so to do: a man of an upright heart, and of a graceful speech, is or should be regarded by princes; as Hushai the Archite by David; and Daniel even by Nebuchadnezzar, a Heathen king. Jarchi's note is,

"the holy blessed God loves and embraces him;''

and this sense may very well be received: the Lord loves purity of heart; he is good to them that are of a clean heart; he loves graceful lips, or lips speaking grace, in prayer, praise, or Christian conversation: he is a friend to such; to the pure he shows himself pure; the pure in heart shall see him, and ever dwell with him: Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, loves purity and righteousness, and hates iniquity; the lips of his people are pleasing to him, they are like a thread of scarlet; he loves to hear their voice, especially speaking of his own grace; he is a friend unto them, one that loves at all times, and sticks closer than a brother.

Gill: Pro 22:12 - -- The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,.... That is, the providence of God, whose eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth; these preserve the ...

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,.... That is, the providence of God, whose eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth; these preserve the knowledge of himself, even among the Heathens in some measure; for what may be known of God is manifest in them, and showed to them: more particularly his providence has preserved the Scriptures, the means of knowledge, which men would have destroyed; and preserves men of knowledge, as Aben Ezra interprets it, the ministers of the word, the stars he holds in his right hand; and he preserves spiritual and experimental knowledge in the hearts of his people, and causes it to increase; and continues his Gospel and a Gospel ministry in the world, till they all come to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God. Or his eyes observe, look unto with delight and pleasure, knowledge and men of knowledge, that know him, and do his will;

and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor; the perfidious, treacherous man; the false teacher, that corrupts the word of God, and handles it deceitfully: the doctrines of such he overthrows, and confutes, and brings to nothing, by his Spirit in his faithful ministers; and causes truth to prevail, and all iniquity to stop its mouth: particularly the words and doctrines of the great transgressor, the lawless and wicked one, the man of sin, antichrist; these have been exposed and overthrown already, and will be more and more so in God's due time.

Gill: Pro 22:13 - -- The slothful man saith, there is a lion without,.... Or, "in the street". This he says within himself; or to those who call out to him, and put him ...

The slothful man saith, there is a lion without,.... Or, "in the street". This he says within himself; or to those who call out to him, and put him on doing the business of his proper calling, whether in the field or elsewhere, which, through his slothfulness, he has a disinclination to; and therefore frames excuses, and suggests this and that difficulty or danger in the way, expressed by a "lion without"; and which shows the folly and weakness of his excuses, since lions do not usually walk in cities, towns, and villages, and in the streets of them, but in woods and mountains;

I shall be slain in the streets; by the lion there; or I shall never be able to get over the difficulties, and through the dangers, which attending to business will expose me to. Some apply this to the difficulties that slothful persons imagine in the learning of languages, arts, and sciences; as Jarchi applies it to the learning of the law.

Gill: Pro 22:14 - -- The mouth of strange women is a deep pit,.... The mouth of harlots; the kisses of their mouth, their fair speech and flattering words, their amorous ...

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit,.... The mouth of harlots; the kisses of their mouth, their fair speech and flattering words, their amorous talk, and lascivious and wanton language, ensnare and draw unwary persons to commit lewdness with them, which bring them into a pit of ruin and destruction; a filthy one, and very deep, out of which it is not easy nor usual to be extricated: the allusion is to beasts taken in a pit dug for them; and these are as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed;

he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein; who has been guilty of other sins, and such as have caused the Lord to abhor him, and therefore leaves him to fall into this: one sin not only leads on to another, but is the punishment of another; men are seldom guilty of this sin of whoredom, but who have been first abandoned to other vices very provoking to. God; see Ecc 7:26. Jarchi interprets all this of idolatry; and it may be very well applied to the whore of Rome, and the harlots she is mother of; who, by her fair words and false doctrines, by her mouth speaking blasphemies and lies in hypocrisy, by her golden cup in her hand full of abomination and filthiness of fornication, and by her sorceries, have deceived many, and brought them into the pit of perdition and ruin: and these are such whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life; but are rejected of God, and given up to believe a lie, that they might be damned, Rev 17:4.

Gill: Pro 22:15 - -- Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child,.... That is, sin, the greatest of all folly; this is naturally in the heart of man; it is in the heart ...

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child,.... That is, sin, the greatest of all folly; this is naturally in the heart of man; it is in the heart of a child, it is in him from his infancy; it is bound in his heart, it is rooted and riveted in him, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity; it is what cleaves close to him, and he has a strong affection for and desire after: the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, Gen 8:21; so that he is not easily brought off of sin, or becomes wise;

but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him; the rod used by parents, for the correction of sin and folly, is a means of making children wise, and of restraining the folly that is bound up in them; and of reclaiming them from those sinful ways, which the folly of their hearts leads them to, and so in some measure of driving it far from them.

Gill: Pro 22:16 - -- He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches,.... By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of...

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches,.... By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of the just wages of their labours; or by usury and extortion, or any other unjust method, whereby they distress the poor, and enrich themselves;

and he that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want: that gives to those that are richer than he; or that are in greater power and authority, that they may protect him in the possession of his ill gotten riches; yet, after all, it shall not thrive and prosper with him, it will all issue in poverty and want: or, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "he shall give to one more rich, and shall want"; he shall be forced to give it to another richer than he, and of greater power, and so shall get nothing by his oppression of the poor; but as he has served the poor, so shall he be served himself, and be brought to beggary and want; see Pro 21:13.

Gill: Pro 22:17 - -- Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,.... Here begins a new part or division of this book. According to some, the "third"; the "first" e...

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,.... Here begins a new part or division of this book. According to some, the "third"; the "first" ending with Pro 9:18, the "second" at Pro 22:16, and a "third", beginning here, and ending with Pro 24:34. It is certain that what follows from hence to the end of that is written in another style, by way of exhortation, caution; and instruction, and is directed to particular persons: as here an exhortation is made to Solomon's son, or to those that attended his instruction; or rather to the children of Wisdom, that is, Christ; to listen attentively to "the words of the wise"; of Solomon, and other wise men before him, or contemporary with him; or rather of Wisdom and her maidens, Christ, and the wise men sent by him; who are made wise to salvation, and furnished for every good work by him, from whom the words of the wise come; and who speak the wisdom of God in a mystery; and whose doctrines are to be heard and received, not as the word of men, but as the word of God;

and apply thine heart unto my knowledge; the knowledge of divine and spiritual things Christ instructs in, and the knowledge of himself; which is preferable to all other knowledge, and to thousands of gold and silver; and in comparison of which all things are but loss and dung; and therefore should be applied unto with intenseness of mind, and cordially received.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Pro 22:1 Heb “favor of goodness.” This is a somewhat difficult expression. Some English versions render the phrase “favor is better than silv...

NET Notes: Pro 22:2 Heb “all.” The Lord is sovereign over both groups, that is, he has had the final say whether a person is rich or poor. People would do wel...

NET Notes: Pro 22:3 The verb עָנַשׁ (’anash) means “to fine” specifically. In the Niphal stem it means “to be ...

NET Notes: Pro 22:4 Heb “the fear of the Lord.” This is an objective genitive; the Lord is the object of the fear.

NET Notes: Pro 22:5 “Thorns and snares” represent the dangers and threats to life. They would be implied comparisons (hypocatastasis): As a path strewn with t...

NET Notes: Pro 22:6 The expected consequence of such training is that it will last throughout life. The sages were confident of the character-forming quality of their tra...

NET Notes: Pro 22:7 Or “slave” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV, TEV, CEV). This may refer to the practice in Israel of people selling themselves into slavery to pay off d...

NET Notes: Pro 22:8 There is a variant reading in the LXX; instead of “the rod of his wrath” it reads “the punishment of his deeds.” C. H. Toy wis...

NET Notes: Pro 22:9 It is from his own food that he gives to the poor. Of the many observations that could be made, it is worth noting that in blessing this kind of perso...

NET Notes: Pro 22:10 The LXX freely adds “when he sits in council (ἐν συνεδρίῳ, ejn sunedriw), he insults everyon...

NET Notes: Pro 22:11 The syntax of the line is somewhat difficult, because “grace of his lips” seems to be intruding on the point of the verse with little expl...

NET Notes: Pro 22:12 The proverb affirms that God in safeguarding true knowledge will frustrate deception from faithless people – what they say will not have its int...

NET Notes: Pro 22:13 The LXX changes the phrase to read “murderers in the street” to form a better parallelism, possibly because the verb רָצ...

NET Notes: Pro 22:14 The proverb is saying that the Lord will use the seductive, deceptive words of the adulteress to bring about the downfall of one who is inclined to su...

NET Notes: Pro 22:15 The word “rod” is a metonymy of adjunct; it represents physical chastening for direction or punishment, to suppress folly and develop pote...

NET Notes: Pro 22:16 Heb “oppressing the poor, it is gain; giving to the rich, it is loss.” The Hebrew is cryptic, but two sins are mentioned here that will be...

NET Notes: Pro 22:17 Heb “knowledge” (so KJV, NASB); in this context it refers to the knowledge that is spoken by the wise, hence “instruction.”

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] ( a ) loving favour rather than silver and gold. ( a ) Which comes by well doing.

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:2 The rich and poor ( b ) meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all. ( b ) Live together, and have need the one of the other.

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:3 A prudent [man] ( c ) foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. ( c ) That is, the punishment, which is prepa...

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:6 Train up a child ( d ) in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ( d ) Bring him up virtuously and he will continue so...

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the ( e ) rod of his anger shall fail. ( e ) His authority by which he oppressed others, will be taken...

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:9 He that hath a bountiful ( f ) eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. ( f ) He that is merciful and liberal.

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the ( g ) king [shall be] his friend. ( g ) He shows that princes should use their fami...

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve ( h ) knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. ( h ) Favour them that love knowledge.

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:13 The slothful [man] saith, ( i ) [There is] a lion outside, I shall be slain in the streets. ( i ) He derides them that invent vain excuses, because t...

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred by the LORD ( k ) shall fall in it. ( k ) So God punishes one sin by another, when he...

Geneva Bible: Pro 22:15 Foolishness [is] bound ( l ) in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. ( l ) He is naturally given to it.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

MHCC: Pro 22:1 - --We should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name, than to raise or add unto a great estate.

MHCC: Pro 22:2 - --Divine Providence has so ordered it, that some are rich, and others poor, but all are guilty before God; and at the throne of God's grace the poor are...

MHCC: Pro 22:3 - --Faith foresees the evil coming upon sinners, and looks to Jesus Christ as the sure refuge from the storm.

MHCC: Pro 22:4 - --Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last.

MHCC: Pro 22:5 - --The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous. But the way of duty is safe and easy.

MHCC: Pro 22:6 - --Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have ...

MHCC: Pro 22:7 - --This shows how important it is for every man to keep out of debt. As to the things of this life, there is a difference between the rich and the poor; ...

MHCC: Pro 22:8 - --The power which many abuse, will soon fail them.

MHCC: Pro 22:9 - --He that seeks to relieve the wants and miseries of others shall be blessed.

MHCC: Pro 22:10 - --Profane scoffers and revilers disturb the peace.

MHCC: Pro 22:11 - --God will be the Friend of a man in whose spirit there is no guile; this honour have all the saints.

MHCC: Pro 22:12 - --God turns the counsels and designs of treacherous men to their own confusion.

MHCC: Pro 22:13 - --The slothful man talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion within, and from his own slothfulness, w...

MHCC: Pro 22:14 - --The vile sin of licentiousness commonly besots the mind beyond recovery.

MHCC: Pro 22:15 - --Sin is foolishness, it is in the heart, there is an inward inclination to sin: children bring it into the world with them; and it cleaves close to the...

MHCC: Pro 22:16 - --We are but stewards, and must distribute what God intrusts to our care, according to his will.

MHCC: Pro 22:17-21 - --To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God and dependenc...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:1 - -- Here are two things which are more valuable and which we should covet more than great riches: - 1. To be well spoken of: A name (that is, a good ...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:2 - -- Note, 1. Among the children of men divine Providence has so ordered it that some are rich and others poor, and these are intermixed in societies...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:3 - -- See here, 1. The benefit of wisdom and consideration: A prudent man, by the help of his prudence, will foresee an evil, before it comes, and hi...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:4 - -- See here, 1. Wherein religion does very much consist - in humility and the fear of the Lord; that is, walking humbly with God. We must so reverenc...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:5 - -- Note 1. The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous: In the way of the froward, that crooked way, which is contrary to the will and word of God, th...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:6 - -- Here is, 1. A great duty enjoined, particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, th...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:7 - -- He had said (Pro 22:2.), Rich and poor meet together; but here he finds, here he shows, that, as to the things of this life, there is a great diff...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:8 - -- Note 1. Ill-gotten gains will not prosper: He that sows iniquity, that does an unjust thing in hopes to get by it, shall reap vanity; what he ge...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:9 - -- Here is, 1. The description of a charitable man; he has a bountiful eye, opposed to the evil eye (Pro 23:6) and the same with the single eye (Ma...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:10 - -- See here, 1. What the scorner does. It is implied that he sows discord and makes mischief wherever he comes. Much of the strife and contention w...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:11 - -- Here is, 1. The qualification of an accomplished, a complete gentleman, that is fit to be employed in public business. He must be an honest man, a m...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:12 - -- Here is, 1. The special care God takes to preserve knowledge, that is, to keep up religion in the world by keeping up among men the knowledge of h...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:13 - -- Note, 1. Those that have no love for their business will never want excuses to shake it off. Multitudes are ruined, both for soul and body, by their...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:14 - -- This is designed to warn all young men against the lusts of uncleanness. As they regard the welfare of their souls, let them take heed of strange w...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:15 - -- We have here two very sad considerations: - 1. That corruption is woven into our nature. Sin is foolishness; it is contrary both to our right reas...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:16 - -- This shows what evil courses rich men sometimes take, by which, in the end, they will impoverish themselves and provoke God, notwithstanding their a...

Matthew Henry: Pro 22:17-21 - -- Solomon here changes his style and manner of speaking. Hitherto, for the most part, since the beginning of ch. 10, he had laid down doctrinal truths...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:1-2 - -- Pro 21:1 1 A good name has the preference above great riches; For more than silver and gold is grace. The proverb is constructed chiastically; th...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:3 - -- The group of proverbs beginning here terminates at Pro 22:7, where, like the preceding, it closes with a proverb of the rich and the poor. 3 The pr...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:4 - -- 4 The reward of humility is the fear of Jahve, Is riches, and honour, and life. As ענוה־צדק , Psa 45:5, is understood of the two virtues,...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:5 - -- 5 Thorns, snares, are on the way of the crooked; He that guardeth his soul, let him keep far from them. Rightly the Venet . ἀÌκανθαι Ï...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:6 - -- 6 Give to the child instruction conformably to His way; So he will not, when he becomes old, depart from it. The first instruction is meant which,...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:7 - -- 7 A rich man will rule over the poor, And the borrower is subject to the man who lends. "This is the course of the world. As regards the sing. and...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:8 - -- The group now following extends to the end of this first collection of Solomon's proverbs; it closes also with a proverb of the poor and the rich. ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:9 - -- 9 He who is friendly is blessed; Because he giveth of his bread to the poor. The thought is the same as at Pro 11:25. טוב עין (thus to be w...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:10 - -- 10 Chase away the scorner, and contention goeth out, And strife and reproach rest. If in a company, a circle of friends, a society (lxx ἐÌκÎ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:11 - -- 11 He that loveth heart-purity, Whose is grace of lips, the king is his friend. Thus with Hitzig, it is to be translated not: he who loveth with a...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:12 - -- 12 The eyes of Jahve preserve knowledge; So he frustrateth the words of the false. The phrase "to preserve knowledge"is found at Pro 5:2; there, i...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:13 - -- 13 The sluggard saith, "A lion is without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets." Otherwise rendered, Pro 26:13. There, as here, the perf....

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:14 - -- 14 A deep pit is the mouth of a strange woman; He that is cursed of God falleth therein. The first line appears in a different form as a synonymou...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:15 - -- 15 Folly is bound to the heart of a child; The rod of correction driveth it forth. Folly, i.e. , pleasure in stupid tricks, silly sport, and fool...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:16 - -- 16 Whosoever oppresseth the lowly, it is gain to him; Whosoever giveth to the rich, it is only loss. It is before all clear that להרבּות an...

Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 22:17-19 - -- Pro 22:17-21, forming the introduction to this appendix, are these Words of the Wise: 17 Incline thine ear and hear the words of the wise, And dir...

Constable: Pro 10:1--22:17 - --II. COUPLETS EXPRESSING WISDOM 10:1--22:16 Chapters 1-9, as we have seen, contain discourses that Solomon eviden...

Constable: Pro 19:1--22:17 - --4. Further advice for pleasing God 19:1-22:16 As was true in the chapter 10-15 section, this one (16:1-22:16) also becomes more difficult to outline a...

Constable: Pro 22:17--25:1 - --III. WISE SAYINGS 22:17--24:34 A third major section of the Book of Proverbs begins with 22:17. This is clear fr...

Constable: Pro 22:17--24:23 - --A. Thirty Sayings of the Wise 22:17-24:22 Many scholars have called attention to the similarities betwee...

Constable: Pro 22:17-21 - --Introduction to the first 10 sayings 22:17-21 As in chapters 1-9, the writer began this ...

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Commentary -- Other

Critics Ask: Pro 22:6 PROVERBS 22:6 —How can this verse be true when experience teaches us that often children abandon the principles of their training? PROBLEM: Acc...

Evidence: Pro 22:1 We must guard our name, character, and reputation for the sake of the gospel. If men think evil of us, let it be only for the cause of righteousness.

Evidence: Pro 22:4 Those who refuse to humble themselves will eventually lose their possessions, their dignity, and their very life. However, those who walk in humility ...

Evidence: Pro 22:6 Training our children. " Let the children...be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most esse...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Proverbs (Book Introduction) THE NATURE AND USE OF PROVERBS.--A proverb is a pithy sentence, concisely expressing some well-established truth susceptible of various illustrations ...

TSK: Proverbs (Book Introduction) The wisdom of all ages, from the highest antiquity, has chosen to compress and communicate its lessons in short, compendious sentences, and in poetic ...

TSK: Proverbs 22 (Chapter Introduction) Overview

Poole: Proverbs 22 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 22

MHCC: Proverbs (Book Introduction) The subject of this book may be thus stated by an enlargement on the opening verses. 1. The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. 2. ...

Matthew Henry: Proverbs (Book Introduction) An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of The Proverbs We have now before us, I. A new author, or penman rather, or pen (if you will) made use o...

Constable: Proverbs (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is "The Proverbs of Solo...

Constable: Proverbs (Outline) Outline I. Discourses on wisdom chs. 1-9 A. Introduction to the book 1:1-7 ...

Constable: Proverbs Proverbs Bibliography Aitken, Kenneth T. Proverbs. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986. Alden...

Haydock: Proverbs (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF PROVERBS. INTRODUCTION. This book is so called, because it consists of wise and weighty sentences, regulating the morals of men; and...

Gill: Proverbs (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS This book is called, in some printed Hebrew copies, "Sepher Mishle", the Book of Proverbs; the title of it in the Vulgate ...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


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