Proverbs 19 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

XIX.

(1) Perverse in his lips. — One who distorts the truth; translated “froward” in Proverbs 4:24. That a rich man is here intended appears likely from the parallel passage in Proverbs 28:6.

Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good. — Ignorance is bad, as well as folly.

He that hasteth with his feet sinneth. — Haste without knowledge misses the mark aimed at. (See above on Proverbs 8:36.)

The foolishness of man perverteth his way. — A man’s own self-will (Proverbs 1:7) overturns his way. stops his progress, whether in temporal or spiritual matters, and then, instead of blaming himself, “his heart fretteth against the Lord.” (Comp. Isaiah 8:21; Revelation 16:10-11.)

The poor is separated from his neighbour. — Or, but the feeble, his friend separates himself (from him). It was just in order to counteract these selfish instincts of mankind that the merciful provisions of such passages as Deuteronomy 15:7. sqq., and Luke 14:13, were laid upon God’s people.

He pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to Him. — The first half of a verse has apparently dropped out here. The sense may be, that the poor man hunts after words — i.e., seeks to get promises of help from his friends, and these end in nothing — mere talk.

He that getteth wisdom. — Literally, heart. For that “wisdom,” or “knowledge,” that begins with the “fear of the Lord” (see above on Proverbs 1:7), and ends with loving Him, is not a matter of intellect only, but of the heart also — i.e., the will and affections.

Delight is not seemly for a fool. — He is ruined by prosperity and luxury: much more is a slave unfit to rule over princes. The writer has in his mind the case of an emancipated slave being raised to high place by court favour, and then insolently trampling on those who were once far above him. (Comp. Proverbs 30:22; Ecclesiastes 10:6-7.)

It is his glory to pass over a transgression. — In this he imitates a Greater. Comp. Micah 7:18; Romans 3:25; Matthew 5:45.)

A continual dropping. — As of the rain leaking through the flat roof of an eastern house on a wet day. (Comp. 27:15.)

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep. — Or rather, makes it fall upon a man, as upon Adam (Genesis 2:21).

He that despiseth his ways — i.e., takes no heed to them, whether they please God or not.

Shall die. — Physically (comp. Exodus 12:15; 1 Corinthians 11:30), spiritually (comp. Luke 1:79); a death to be completed hereafter (Revelation 2:11).

Lendeth unto the Lord. — Who “for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9), and Who regards all done to one of his poor brethren as done unto Himself (Matthew 25:40).

And let not thy soul spare for his crying. — Or, but set not thy soul on his destruction. Do not go so far as to kill him in thy zeal for his good, or despair of his amendment. (Comp. Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21.) It may also signify “do not let him perish for want of chastisement,” as Proverbs 23:13 is also explained.

For if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. — As St. Paul says (Galatians 6:5), “Every man shall bear his own burden.” We cannot shield wrong-headed people from the consequences of their want of self-control, however much we may pity them for the suffering they have brought on themselves.

That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. — That “though thy beginning might be small, yet that thy latter end should greatly increase” (Job 8:7)

There are many devices (or, thoughts) in a man’s heart. — “He disquieteth himself in vain” (Psalms 39:6), endeavouring to carry out his various plans in life, while the one unchangeable “counsel of the Lord,” that shall stand — i.e., abide in all its fulness. (Comp, Isaiah 46:10-11; Psalms 33:11; Job 23:13.)

The desire of a man is his kindness — i.e., what makes a man desired or beloved is his kindness. Or, the kindness of a man consists in — is shewn by — his good-will, even though he cannot carry it out.

And a poor man (who would do a kindness if he could) is better than a liar. — Than a rich man who could help another, but professes to be unable to do so.

The fear of the Lord tendeth to life. — To life in this world, the reward of uprightness promised to the Israelites of old (Isaiah 37:29); and to life in the next (Mark 10:30).

He shall not be visited with evil. — (Comp. Leviticus 26:6.) A higher blessing is promised in the New Testament; not immunity from trouble, for trouble may be needed for advance in holiness (Romans 8:28), but protection in it (1 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:35, sqq.).

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom. — Better, in the dish that stood in the middle of the table at an Oriental dinner, into which the guests dipped their hands to take out the food for themselves (Matthew 26:23).

Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware. — For “scorner” and “simple” see note on Proverbs 1:22. Reproof is of no avail to turn the “scorner” from his evil way (Proverbs 9:7; Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 15:12), punishment will also do him no good; but it may make the “simple,” whose character is not yet formed for good or evil, reflect and amend. So God at first punishes sinners for their good (Amos 4:6, ff.), afterwards, when they are obdurate, as a warning to others (Amos 4:12; Deuteronomy 29:21, ff.)

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err... — Or the passage may mean, Cease to hear instruction if you are only going to err afterwards — Make up your mind what you are intending to do hereafter, and act now accordingly; better not know the truth than learn it only to desert it. (Comp. 2 Peter 2:21.)

An ungodly (worthless) witness scorneth judgment. — Despises the orders of the Law to avoid perjury (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 5:1). (Comp. 1 Kings 8:31).

The mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. — As a dainty morsel. (Comp. Proverbs 18:8.)

Judgments are prepared for scorners. — (Comp. Proverbs 19:25.)

Fools. — See above on Proverbs 1:22.