19 Hear H8085 thou, my son, H1121 and be wise, H2449 and guide H833 thine heart H3820 in the way. H1870
Hear, H8085 O my son, H1121 and receive H3947 my sayings; H561 and the years H8141 of thy life H2416 shall be many. H7235 I have taught H3384 thee in the way H1870 of wisdom; H2451 I have led H1869 thee in right H3476 paths. H4570 When thou goest, H3212 thy steps H6806 shall not be straitened; H3334 and when thou runnest, H7323 thou shalt not stumble. H3782 Take fast hold H2388 of instruction; H4148 let her not go: H7503 keep H5341 her; for she is thy life. H2416 Enter H935 not into the path H734 of the wicked, H7563 and go H833 not in the way H1870 of evil H7451 men. Avoid H6544 it, pass H5674 not by it, turn H7847 from it, and pass away. H5674 For they sleep H3462 not, except they have done mischief; H7489 and their sleep H8142 is taken away, H1497 unless they cause some to fall. H3782 H3782 For they eat H3898 the bread H3899 of wickedness, H7562 and drink H8354 the wine H3196 of violence. H2555 But the path H734 of the just H6662 is as the shining H5051 light, H216 that shineth H215 more H1980 and more unto the perfect H3559 day. H3117 The way H1870 of the wicked H7563 is as darkness: H653 they know H3045 not at what they stumble. H3782 My son, H1121 attend H7181 to my words; H1697 incline H5186 thine ear H241 unto my sayings. H561 Let them not depart H3868 from thine eyes; H5869 keep H8104 them in the midst H8432 of thine heart. H3824 For they are life H2416 unto those that find H4672 them, and health H4832 to all their flesh. H1320 Keep H5341 thy heart H3820 with all diligence; H4929 for out of it are the issues H8444 of life. H2416
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 23
Commentary on Proverbs 23 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 23
Pr 23:1-35.
1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony.
2. put a knife—an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.
3. are deceitful meat—though well tasted, injurious.
4, 5. (Compare 1Ti 6:9, 10).
thine own wisdom—which regards riches intrinsically as a blessing.
5. Wilt … eyes—As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.
6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted.
evil eye—or purpose (Pr 22:9; De 15:9; Mt 6:23).
8. The morsel … words—that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.
9. (Compare Pr 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Mt 7:6).
10, 11. (Compare Pr 22:22, 23).
11. redeemer—or avenger (Le 25:25, 26; Nu 35:12), hence advocate (Job 19:25).
plead … thee—(Compare Job 31:21; Ps 35:1; 68:5).
12. Here begins another series of precepts.
13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good.
15, 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence.
16. my reins—(Compare Ps 7:9).
17, 18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.
18. an end—or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare Ps 37:28-38).
19-21. guide … way—or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).
20. riotous … flesh—prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure.
21. drowsiness—the dreamy sleep of the slothful.
22. Hearken—that is, obey (Pr 1:8; Eph 6:1).
despise … old—Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed.
23. Buy—literally, "get" (Pr 4:5).
truth—generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds.
24, 25. (Compare Pr 10:1; 17:21, 25).
26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Ho 4:11).
give me—This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented (Pr 8:1; 9:3, &c.).
heart—confidence.
observe—keep.
my ways—such as I teach you (Pr 3:17; 9:6).
27, 28. deep ditch—a narrow pit, out of which it is hard to climb.
lieth in wait—to ensnare men into the pit, as hunters entrap game (compare Pr 22:14).
28. increaseth … transgressors—(Pr 5:8-10). The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.
29, 30. This picture is often sadly realized now.
mixed wine—(Compare Pr 9:2; Isa 5:11).
31. when … red—the color denoting greater strength (compare Ge 49:11; De 32:14).
giveth … cup—literally, "gives its eye," that is, sparkles.
moveth … aright—Perhaps its foaming is meant.
32. The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations.
33, 34. The moral effects: it inflames passion (Ge 19:31, 35), lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings.
35. awake—that is, from drunkenness (Ge 9:24). This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.