He taketh the wise in their own craftiness - This passage is quoted by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:19, with the usual formula in referring to the Old Testament, γέγραπται γάρ gegraptai gar, “for it is written,” showing that he regarded it as a part of the inspired oracles of God. The word “wise” here undoubtedly means the cunning, the astute, the crafty, and the designing. It cannot mean those who are truly wise in the Scripture sense; but the meaning is, that those who form plans which they expect to accomplish by cunning and craft, are often the victims of their own designs. The same sentiment not unfrequently occurs in the Scriptures and elsewhere, and has all the aspect of being a proverb. Thus, in Psalms 7:15 :
He made a pit and digged it,
And is fallen into the ditch which he made.”
So Psalms 9:15 :
The pagan are sunk down into the pit that they made;
In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.”
So Psalms 35:8 :
Let his net that he hath bid catch himself
Into that very destruction let him fall.”
So Psalms 37:15 :
Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
And their bow shall be broken.”
Compare Eurip. Med. 409:
Κακῶν δὲ πάντων τέκτονες σοφώταται
Kakōn de pantōn tektones sofōtatai.
See also the same sentiment in Lucretius, v. 1151:
Circumretit enim visatque injuria quemque,
Atque, unde exorta cst, ad caim plerumque revertit.
“For force and rapine in their craftiest neta
Oft their own sons entangle; and the plague Ten-fold recoils.”
It is to be remembered that Eliphaz here speaks of his own observation, and of that as a reason for putting confidence in God. The sentiment is, that he had observed that a straightforward, honest, and upright course, was followed with the divine favor and blessing; but that a man who attempted to carry his plans by intrigue and stratagem, would not be permanently successfu. Sooner or later his cunning would recoil upon himself, and he would experience the disastrous consequences of such a course. It is still true. A man is always sure of ultimate success and prosperity, if he is straightforward and honest. He never can be sure of it, if he attempts to carry his plans by management. Other men may evince as much cunning as himself; and when his net springs, it may include himself as well as those for whom he set it. It will be well for him if it is not made to spring on him, while others escape.
And the counsel of the froward - The design of the perverse. The word here rendered “froward,” נפתלים nı̂pâthalı̂ym, is from פתל pâthal, to twist, to twine, to spin. It then means, to be twisted, crooked, crafty, deceitful. Here it means those who are crooked, artful, designing. Septuagint, πολυπλόκων poluplokōn, the involved - the much-entangled.
Is carried headlong - Hebrew is precipitated, or hastened. There is not time for it to be matured; there is a development of the scheme before it is ripe, and the trick is detected before there is time to put it in execution. Nothing can be more true than this often is now. Something that could not be anticipated develops the design, and brings the dark plot out to mid-day; and God shows that he is the foe of all such schemes.