1 A good name H8034 is rather to be chosen H977 than great H7227 riches, H6239 and loving H2896 favour H2580 rather than silver H3701 and gold. H2091
2 The rich H6223 and poor H7326 meet together: H6298 the LORD H3068 is the maker H6213 of them all.
3 A prudent H6175 man foreseeth H7200 the evil, H7451 and hideth H5641 H5641 himself: but the simple H6612 pass on, H5674 and are punished. H6064
4 By H6118 humility H6038 and the fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 are riches, H6239 and honour, H3519 and life. H2416
5 Thorns H6791 and snares H6341 are in the way H1870 of the froward: H6141 he that doth keep H8104 his soul H5315 shall be far H7368 from them.
6 Train up H2596 a child H5288 in the way H1870 he should go: H6310 and when he is old, H2204 he will not depart H5493 from it.
7 The rich H6223 ruleth H4910 over the poor, H7326 and the borrower H3867 is servant H5650 to the lender. H376 H3867
8 He that soweth H2232 iniquity H5766 shall reap H7114 vanity: H205 and the rod H7626 of his anger H5678 shall fail. H3615
9 He that hath a bountiful H2896 eye H5869 shall be blessed; H1288 for he giveth H5414 of his bread H3899 to the poor. H1800
10 Cast out H1644 the scorner, H3887 and contention H4066 shall go out; H3318 yea, strife H1779 and reproach H7036 shall cease. H7673
11 He that loveth H157 pureness H2890 H2889 of heart, H3820 for the grace H2580 of his lips H8193 the king H4428 shall be his friend. H7453
12 The eyes H5869 of the LORD H3068 preserve H5341 knowledge, H1847 and he overthroweth H5557 the words H1697 of the transgressor. H898
13 The slothful H6102 man saith, H559 There is a lion H738 without, H2351 I shall be slain H7523 in H8432 the streets. H7339
14 The mouth H6310 of strange women H2114 is a deep H6013 pit: H7745 he that is abhorred H2194 of the LORD H3068 shall fall H5307 therein.
15 Foolishness H200 is bound H7194 in the heart H3820 of a child; H5288 but the rod H7626 of correction H4148 shall drive it far H7368 from him.
16 He that oppresseth H6231 the poor H1800 to increase H7235 his riches, and he that giveth H5414 to the rich, H6223 shall surely come to want. H4270
17 Bow down H5186 thine ear, H241 and hear H8085 the words H1697 of the wise, H2450 and apply H7896 thine heart H3820 unto my knowledge. H1847
18 For it is a pleasant thing H5273 if thou keep H8104 them within H990 thee; they shall withal H3162 be fitted H3559 in thy lips. H8193
19 That thy trust H4009 may be in the LORD, H3068 I have made known H3045 to thee this day, H3117 even to thee.
20 Have not I written H3789 to thee H8032 excellent things H7991 in counsels H4156 and knowledge, H1847
21 That I might make thee know H3045 the certainty H7189 of the words H561 of truth; H571 that thou mightest answer H7725 the words H561 of truth H571 to them that send H7971 unto thee?
22 Rob H1497 not the poor, H1800 because he is poor: H1800 neither oppress H1792 the afflicted H6041 in the gate: H8179
23 For the LORD H3068 will plead H7378 their cause, H7379 and spoil H6906 the soul H5315 of those that spoiled H6906 them.
24 Make no friendship H7462 with an angry H639 man; H1167 and with a furious H2534 man H376 thou shalt not go: H935
25 Lest thou learn H502 his ways, H734 and get H3947 a snare H4170 to thy soul. H5315
26 Be not thou one of them that strike H8628 hands, H3709 or of them that are sureties H6148 for debts. H4859
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, H7999 why should he take away H3947 thy bed H4904 from under thee?
28 Remove H5253 not the ancient H5769 landmark, H1366 which thy fathers H1 have set. H6213
29 Seest H2372 thou a man H376 diligent H4106 in his business? H4399 he shall stand H3320 before H6440 kings; H4428 he shall not stand H3320 before H6440 mean H2823 men.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 22
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).