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Proverbs 22:17 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

Cross Reference

Proverbs 2:2-5 DARBY

so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom [and] thou apply thy heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after discernment [and] liftest up thy voice to understanding; if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures: then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 4:4-8 DARBY

And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee. The beginning of wisdom [is], Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.

Proverbs 5:1-2 DARBY

My son, attend unto my wisdom, incline thine ear to my understanding; that thou mayest keep reflection, and that thy lips may preserve knowledge.

Proverbs 8:33-34 DARBY

hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Commentary on Proverbs 22 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 22

Pr 22:1-29.

1. A good name—(Job 30:8, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from Ec 7:1.

loving favour—kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.

2. Before God all are on the same footing (Pr 14:31; 17:5).

3. are punished—that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.

4. humility and the fear of the Lord—are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Pr 3:16; 8:18.

5. he that … them—Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (Pr 16:17).

6. Train—initiate, or early instruct.

the way—literally, "his way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it.

7. The influence of wealth sets aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved (compare Pr 19:6; 21:14, &c.).

8. (Compare Pr 11:18; Ps 109:16-20; Ga 6:7, 8).

the rod … fail—His power to do evil will be destroyed.

9. a bountiful eye—that is, a beneficent disposition.

for he giveth … poor—His acts prove it.

10. Cast out—or drive away. Scorners foster strife by taunts and revilings.

11. (Compare Margin).

pureness of heart—and gentle, kind words win favor, even from kings.

12. preserve—or guard.

knowledge—its principles and possessors.

overthroweth—utterly confounds and destroys the wicked.

13. Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.

14. The mouth—or flattering speeches (Pr 5:3; 7:5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment.

15. is bound—or firmly fixed. Chastisement deters from crime and so leads to reformation of principle.

16. These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.

17. Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be observed that at Pr 22:22-24:12, the proverbs are generally expressed in two verses instead of one (see Introduction).

18. These lessons must be laid up in the mind, and

fitted—or better, "fixed" in the lips so as to be ever ready.

19. That … Lord—This is the design of the instruction.

20. excellent things—or probably of former times.

counsels and knowledge—both advice and instruction.

21. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others.

22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Pr 17:5; Ps 12:5).

in the gate—place of public gathering (Job 5:4; Ps 69:12).

24, 25. (Compare Pr 2:12-15; 4:14).

25. a snare … soul—The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company.

26, 27. (Compare Pr 6:1; 17:18).

27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor.

28. (Compare Pr 23:10). Do not entrench on others (De 19:14; 27:17).

29. Success rewards diligence (Pr 10:4; 21:5).