1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
3 to receive the instruction of wisdom, righteousness and judgment, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 He that is wise will hear, and will increase learning; and the intelligent will gain wise counsels:
6 to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.
7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;
9 for they shall be a garland of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, and whole, as those that go down into the pit;
13 we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 cast in thy lot among us; we will all have one purse:
15 -- my son, walk not in the way with them, keep back thy foot from their path;
16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17 For in vain the net is spread in the sight of anything which hath wings.
18 And these lay wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the paths of every one that is greedy of gain: it taketh away the life of its possessors.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she raiseth her voice in the broadways;
21 she calleth in the chief [place] of concourse, in the entry of the gates; in the city she uttereth her words:
22 How long, simple ones, will ye love simpleness, and scorners take pleasure in their scorning, and the foolish hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour forth my spirit unto you, I will make known to you my words.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one regarded;
25 and ye have rejected all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh in your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 when your fear cometh as sudden destruction, and your calamity cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you:
28 -- then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, and shall not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Jehovah;
30 they would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof:
31 therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall cause them to perish.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be at rest from fear of evil.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 1
Commentary on Proverbs 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 1
Pr 1:1-33. After the title the writer defines the design and nature of the instructions of the book. He paternally invites attention to those instructions and warns his readers against the enticements of the wicked. In a beautiful personification, wisdom is then introduced in a most solemn and impressive manner, publicly inviting men to receive its teachings, warning those who reject, and encouraging those who accept, the proffered instructions.
1-4. (See Introduction, Part I).
2. To know … instruction—literally, "for knowing," that is, such is the design of these writings.
wisdom—or the use of the best means for the best ends, is generally employed in this book for true piety.
instruction—discipline, by which men are trained.
to perceive—literally, "for perceiving," the design (as above)
understanding—that is, words which enable one to discern good and evil.
3. To receive … of wisdom—For receiving that discipline which discretion imparts. The Hebrew for "wisdom" differs from that of Pr 1:2, and denotes rather discreet counsel. Compare the opposite traits of the fool (Pr 16:22).
justice … equity—all the attributes of one upright in all his relations to God and man.
4. simple—one easily led to good or evil; so the parallel.
young man—one inexperienced.
subtilty—or prudence (Pr 3:21; 5:21).
discretion—literally, "device," both qualities, either good or bad, according to their use. Here good, as they imply wariness by which to escape evil and find good.
5, 6. Such writings the wise, who pursue right ends by right means, will value.
learning—not the act, but matter of it.
wise counsels—or the art and principles of governing.
6. To understand—so as to … such will be the result.
interpretation—(Compare Margin).
words of the wise—(Compare Pr 1:2).
dark sayings—(Compare Ps 49:4; Joh 16:25; and see Introduction, Part I).
7. The fear of the Lord—the principle of true piety (compare Pr 2:5; 14:26, 27; Job 28:28; Ps 34:11; 111:10; Ac 9:31).
beginning—first part, foundation.
fools—the stupid and indifferent to God's character and government; hence the wicked.
8. My son—This paternal form denotes a tender regard for the reader. Filial sentiments rank next to piety towards God, and ensure most distinguished rewards (compare Pr 6:20; Eph 6:2, 3).
9. On the figures of Pr 1:9, compare Ge 41:42; So 1:10; 4:9.
10-19. A solemn warning against temptation.
entice—literally, "open the way."
consent … not—Sin is in consenting or yielding to temptation, not in being tempted.
11-14. Murder and robbery are given as specific illustrations.
lay wait … lurk privily—express an effort and hope for successful concealment.
swallow … grave—utterly destroy the victim and traces of the crime (Nu 16:33; Ps 55:15). Abundant rewards of villainy are promised as the fruits of this easy and safe course.
15, 16. The society of the wicked (way or path) is dangerous. Avoid the beginnings of sin (Pr 4:14; Ps 1:1; 119:101).
17-19. Men warned ought to escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But stupid sinners rush to their own ruin (Ps 9:16), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which destroy them (1Ti 6:10), not only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction.
20-33. Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare Lu 11:49). Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive (see on Pr 8:1).
Wisdom—literally, "Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare Pr 9:1).
streets—or most public places, not secretly.
21. The publicity further indicated by terms designating places of most common resort.
22. simple ones—(Compare Pr 1:4).
simplicity—implying ignorance.
scorners—(Ps 1:1)—who despise, as well as reject, truth.
fools—Though a different word is used from that of Pr 1:7, yet it is of the same meaning.
23. reproof—implying conviction deserving it (compare Joh 16:8, Margin).
pour out—abundantly impart.
my spirit—whether of wisdom personified, or of Christ, a divine agent.
24. stretched … hand—Earnestness, especially in beseeching, is denoted by the figure (compare Job 11:13; Ps 68:31; 88:9).
25. set at naught—rejected as of no value.
would none of—literally, "were not willing or inclined to it."
26, 27. In their extreme distress He will not only refuse help, but aggravate it by derision.
27. fear—the object of it.
desolation—literally, "a tumultuous noise," denoting their utter confusion.
destruction—or calamity (Pr 1:26) compared to a whirlwind, as to fatal rapidity.
distress—(Ps 4:1; 44:11).
anguish—a state of inextricable oppression, the deepest despair.
28. Now no prayers or most diligent seeking will avail (Pr 8:17).
29, 30. The sinner's infatuated rejection brings his ruin.
31. fruit … way—result of conduct (Isa 3:10; Eze 11:21; Ro 6:21; Ga 6:7, 8).
be filled—even to repletion (Ps 123:4).
32. turning away—that is, from the call of Pr 1:23.
simple—as in Pr 1:22.
prosperity—quiet, implying indifference.
33. dwell safely—literally, "in confidence" (De 12:10).
be quiet—or at ease, in real prosperity.
from fear—without fear.