6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 17
Commentary on Proverbs 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 17
Pr 17:1-28.
1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31).
with—literally, "of."
strife—its product, or attendant.
2. (Compare Pr 14:35).
causeth shame—(Pr 10:5).
shall … inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).
3. God only knows, as He tries (Ps 12:6; 66:10) the heart.
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
5. (Compare Pr 14:31).
glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pr 13:22; Ps 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).
9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25).
a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
13. (Compare Ps 7:4; 35:12).
evil—injury to another (Pr 13:21).
14. letteth … water—as a breach in a dam.
before … meddled with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
15. abomination … Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32; 12:2).
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).
17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15).
in the presence, &c.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
19. strife—contention is, and leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh—or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pr 8:36).
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
21. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
22. (Compare Pr 14:30; 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
medicine—or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth—as if the marrow were exhausted.
23. a gift … bosom—Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
to pervert—that is, by bribery.
24. Wisdom … him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Pr 17:21; 10:1).
26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.