13 The slothful H6102 man saith, H559 There is a lion H738 without, H2351 I shall be slain H7523 in H8432 the streets. H7339
And they brought up H3318 an evil report H1681 of the land H776 which they had searched H8446 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 The land, H776 through which we have gone H5674 to search H8446 it, is a land H776 that eateth up H398 the inhabitants H3427 thereof; and all the people H5971 that we saw H7200 in it H8432 are men H582 of a great stature. H4060 And there we saw H7200 the giants, H5303 the sons H1121 of Anak, H6061 which come of the giants: H5303 and we were in our own sight H5869 as grasshoppers, H2284 and so we were in their sight. H5869
The way H1870 of the slothful H6102 man is as an hedge H4881 of thorns: H2312 but the way H734 of the righteous H3477 is made plain. H5549
The slothful H6102 man saith, H559 There is a lion H7826 in the way; H1870 a lion H738 is in the streets. H7339 As the door H1817 turneth H5437 upon his hinges, H6735 so doth the slothful H6102 upon his bed. H4296 The slothful H6102 hideth H2934 his hand H3027 in his bosom; H6747 it grieveth H3811 him to bring it again H7725 to his mouth. H6310 The sluggard H6102 is wiser H2450 in his own conceit H5869 than seven men H7651 that can render H7725 a reason. H2940
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).