Proverbs 18:1

18:1 One who has isolated himself ¹  seeks his own desires; ² 

he rejects ³  all sound judgment.

Proverbs 26:15

26:15 The sluggard plunges ⁴  his hand in the dish;

he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. ⁵ 

Proverbs 28:7

28:7 The one who keeps the law ⁶  is a discerning child, ⁷ 

but a companion of gluttons brings shame ⁸  to his parents. ⁹ 

[18:1]  ¹ tn The Niphal participle functions substantively and has a reflexive nuance: “one who has separated himself” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB). He is not merely anti-social; he is a problem for society since he will defy sound judgment. The Mishnah uses the verse to teach the necessity of being part of a community because people have social responsibilities and need each other (m. Avot 2:4).

[18:1]  ² tc The MT has “seeks [his own] desire[s].” The translation in the LXX represents a Hebrew Vorlage of לְתֹאֲנָה (lÿto’anah) instead of לְתַאֲוָה (lÿta’avah); this could be translated “seeks his own occasion,” that is, “his own pretext” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 354; cf. NAB). The MT makes sense as it stands and the emendation is not really necessary.

[18:1]  ³ tn Heb “breaks out”; NRSV “showing contempt for”; NLT “snarling at.” This individual breaks out in contention against sound judgment. He is in opposition to society (e.g., Prov 17:14; 20:3).

[26:15]  ⁴ tn Heb “buries” (so many English versions); KJV “hideth”; NAB “loses.”

[26:15]  ⁵ sn The proverb is stating that the sluggard is too lazy to eat; this is essentially the same point made in 19:24 (see the note there).

[28:7]  ⁷ tn The Hebrew word could refer (1) to “instruction” by the father (cf. NCV) or (2) the Mosaic law (so most English versions). The chapter seems to be stressing religious obedience, so the referent is probably the law. Besides, the father’s teaching will be what the law demands, and the one who associates with gluttons is not abiding by the law.

[28:7]  ⁸ tn Heb “son,” but the immediate context does not suggest limiting this only to male children.

[28:7]  ⁹ sn The companion of gluttons shames his father and his family because such a life style as he now embraces is both unruly and antisocial.

[28:7]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “father,” but the immediate context does not suggest limiting this only to the male parent.