Proverbs 1:19 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The life of the owners thereof— The Hebrew is not well translated here; בעל bangal, which often occurs in this book, signifies not only being lord or owner of a thing, but also under the dominion of it; given or addicted to it. So chap. Proverbs 18:9. לשׁון בעל bangal lashon, signifies a talkative person; נפשׁ בעל bangal nepesh, chap. Proverbs 23:2 one given to appetite; ףּא בעל bangal ap, a hasty, or passionate man: chap. Proverbs 22:24. So also chap. Proverbs 17:8. A gift is as a precious stone in the hands בעליו beadlaiv, of the owners thereof; i.e. of those who love bribes. Grey. Schultens renders the clause, It taketh away the life of those that take it.