Proverbs 29:1-27 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Proverbs 29:2. cf. Proverbs 11:10 f., Proverbs 28:12-28.

Proverbs 29:4. he that exacteth gifts: lit. a man of presents.

Proverbs 29:9 b. Who is the subject? If it is the wise man, the meaning is that however he treats his opponent, seriously or lightly, he cannot end the matter. If it is the fool, the thought will be that he shows no decorum of manner. The proverb seems directed against a wise man's going to law with a fool.

Proverbs 29:11. Lit. A fool sends forth all his spirit, and a wise man stills it backward. This is obscure. The general sense is that the fool cannot restrain any of his emotions, while the wise man does so.

Proverbs 29:13. A variant of the theme of Proverbs 22:2. lighteneth the eyes i.e. preserves alive cf. Psalms 13:3.

Proverbs 29:18. The rendering cast off restraint rests on Exodus 32:25. The root may mean to loose, and is used of the flowing locks of the warriors (Judges 5:2; cf. ICC). If RV is correct, the proverb seems to contrast the intermittent prophetic vision with the Torah as means of guidance. When the vision fails, the Torah still remains. Cf. the attitude expressed in Isaiah 50:10.

Proverbs 29:21 b. Uncertain. The word rendered become a son does not occur elsewhere, and seems to be an error. LXX has he who lives in luxury from childhood shall be a servant, and in the end will come to grief for himself. Probably the proverb is connected with Proverbs 29:20, and refers to the unwisdom of too lenient a discipline for slaves.

Proverbs 29:24 b must be explained by Leviticus 5:1, where to hear the voice of swearing is the technical expression for to put a person on oath. The man is put on his oath, and does not reveal what he knows. Hence he runs the risk of Divine (or human) judgment for perjury.

Section V. The Appendix. The section contains (a) a series of short collections of sayings (30): (b) a short collection of aphorisms for kings (Proverbs 31:1-9); and (c) an acrostic description of the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31:10-31). Both the nature of these collections and their position in the book suggest that they are later than the other collections, and were added in the last stage of the editing. (See Introduction.)

First Division, containing the sayings of Agur, a series of tetradic proverbs, and a six-stanza aphorism on anger.

Related Commentaries of Proverbs 29:1

Proverbs 29:1-27

1 He,a that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but heb that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

8 Scornful men bringc a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

10 The bloodthirstyd hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

13 The poor and the deceitfule man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:f but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.g

26 Many seek the ruler'sh favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.