Proverbs 24:1-21 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Proverbs 24:7 a. Lit. Wisdom is corals to the fool. RV involves a change m the text, which gives perhaps the best sense that can be made of an obviously corrupt stanza.

Proverbs 24:9. thought: the word means plan or device, and is used in both a good and a bad sense in Pr. Here the meaning is that sin is the kind of plan which folly engages in, sin is folly's plan.

Proverbs 24:10. An incomplete aphorism. As it stands its probable meaning is, If thou art slack, thy strength will be narrow (i.e. restricted) in the day of trouble.

Proverbs 24:11 f. The Heb. is not unambiguous and shows some disorder, but probably the two verses deal with the same subject, and form one aphorism exhorting to the deliverance of those doomed to die. It would appear, therefore, to be addressed to some one in power or official position, and to relate to some time of political oppression such as the Maccabean period.

Proverbs 24:13 f. In praise of Wisdom. An incomplete quatrain with a line added from Proverbs 23:18, obviously out of place here.

Proverbs 24:20. reward is lit. end (cf. Proverbs 23:18, mg.), perhaps participation in the future Messianic kingdom.

Proverbs 24:20 b. cf. Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 20:20.

Proverbs 24:21 f. This quatrain may be interpreted in two ways, according to the sense put on the pronouns in Proverbs 24:22. (a) Fear God and the king, and do not meddle (lit. mix thyself) with revolutionaries, for their calamity is sudden, etc. (b) Fear God and the king, and do not disobey either of them, for the calamity they inflict is sudden, etc.

Related Commentaries of Proverbs 24:1

Proverbs 24:1-21

1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.a

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fretb not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candlec of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: