27 An ungodly H1100 man H376 diggeth up H3738 evil: H7451 and in his lips H8193 there is as a burning H6867 fire. H784
And G2532 the tongue G1100 is a fire, G4442 a world G2889 of iniquity: G93 so G3779 is G2525 the tongue G1100 among G1722 our G2257 members, G3196 that it defileth G4695 the whole G3650 body, G4983 and G2532 setteth on fire G5394 the course G5164 of nature; G1078 and G2532 it is set on fire G5394 of G5259 hell. G1067
Now therefore know H3045 and consider H7200 what thou wilt do; H6213 for evil H7451 is determined H3615 against our master, H113 and against all his household: H1004 for he is such a son H1121 of Belial, H1100 that a man cannot speak H1696 to him.
And there happened H7122 to be there a man H376 of Belial, H1100 whose name H8034 was Sheba, H7652 the son H1121 of Bichri, H1075 a Benjamite: H1145 and he blew H8628 a trumpet, H7782 and said, H559 We have no part H2506 in David, H1732 neither have we inheritance H5159 in the son H1121 of Jesse: H3448 every H376 man H376 to his tents, H168 O Israel. H3478
From men H4962 which are thy hand, H3027 O LORD, H3068 from men H4962 of the world, H2465 which have their portion H2506 in this life, H2416 and whose belly H990 thou fillest H4390 with thy hid H6840 treasure: they are full H7646 of children, H1121 and leave H3240 the rest H3499 of their substance to their babes. H5768 As for me, I will behold H2372 thy face H6440 in righteousness: H6664 I shall be satisfied, H7646 when I awake, H6974 with thy likeness. H8544
Thy tongue H3956 deviseth H2803 mischiefs; H1942 like a sharp H3913 razor, H8593 working H6213 deceitfully. H7423 Thou lovest H157 evil H7451 more than good; H2896 and lying H8267 rather than to speak H1696 righteousness. H6664 Selah. H5542 Thou lovest H157 all devouring H1105 words, H1697 O thou deceitful H4820 tongue. H3956
If thou seekest H1245 her as silver, H3701 and searchest H2664 for her as for hid treasures; H4301
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 16
Commentary on Proverbs 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 16
Pr 16:1-33.
1. preparations—schemes.
in man—or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer … Lord—The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
2. clean—or, "faultless."
weigheth—or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pr 21:2; 24:12).
3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.
4. for himself—"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Ps 49:5; Jer 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.
5. (Compare Pr 3:32).
6. By mercy and truth—that is, God's (Ps 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged—expiated (as in Le 16:33; Isa 27:9, Hebrew).
7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.
8. (Compare Pr 15:6, 16, 17).
9. (Compare Pr 16:3).
directeth—establisheth.
10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.
11. are the Lord's … his work—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.
12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.
13. A specification of the general sentiment of Pr 16:12.
14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.
15. light of … countenance—favor (Ps 4:6).
life—preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain—fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (De 11:14).
16. (Compare Pr 3:16; 4:5).
17. The highway—A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth—observes.
18, 19. (Compare Pr 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall—literally, "sliding."
19. divide the spoil—that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud (Jas 4:6).
20. handleth a matter—wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pr 13:13).
trusteth—(Compare Ps 2:12; 118:8, 9).
21. wise in heart—who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22. Understanding—or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pr 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24. (Compare Pr 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.
25. (Compare Pr 14:2).
26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.
27. ungodly man—(Compare Pr 6:12).
diggeth up evil—labors for it.
in his lips … fire—His words are calumniating (Jas 3:6).
28. (Compare Pr 6:14; 10:31).
whisperer—prater, talebearer (Pr 18:8; 26:20).
29. violent man—or, "man of mischief" (Pr 3:31).
enticeth—(Pr 1:10).
30. He shutteth his eyes—denoting deep thought (Ps 64:6).
moving his lips—or, "biting his lips"—a determined purpose (Pr 6:13).
31. (Compare Pr 20:29).
if—or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Pr 3:16; 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.
32. (Compare Pr 14:29).
taketh a city—that is, by fighting.
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.