1 These are also proverbs H4912 of Solomon, H8010 which the men H582 of Hezekiah H2396 king H4428 of Judah H3063 copied out. H6275
2 It is the glory H3519 of God H430 to conceal H5641 a thing: H1697 but the honour H3519 of kings H4428 is to search out H2713 a matter. H1697
3 The heaven H8064 for height, H7312 and the earth H776 for depth, H6011 and the heart H3820 of kings H4428 is unsearchable. H2714
4 Take away H1898 the dross H5509 from the silver, H3701 and there shall come forth H3318 a vessel H3627 for the finer. H6884
5 Take away H1898 the wicked H7563 from before H6440 the king, H4428 and his throne H3678 shall be established H3559 in righteousness. H6664
6 Put not forth H1921 thyself in the presence H6440 of the king, H4428 and stand H5975 not in the place H4725 of great H1419 men:
7 For better H2896 it is that it be said H559 unto thee, Come up H5927 hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower H8213 in the presence H6440 of the prince H5081 whom thine eyes H5869 have seen. H7200
8 Go not forth H3318 hastily H4118 to strive, H7378 lest thou know not what to do H6213 in the end H319 thereof, when thy neighbour H7453 hath put thee to shame. H3637
9 Debate H7378 thy cause H7379 with thy neighbour H7453 himself; and discover H1540 not a secret H5475 to another: H312
10 Lest he that heareth H8085 it put thee to shame, H2616 and thine infamy H1681 turn not away. H7725
11 A word H1697 fitly H212 H655 spoken H1696 is like apples H8598 of gold H2091 in pictures H4906 of silver. H3701
12 As an earring H5141 of gold, H2091 and an ornament H2481 of fine gold, H3800 so is a wise H2450 reprover H3198 upon an obedient H8085 ear. H241
13 As the cold H6793 of snow H7950 in the time H3117 of harvest, H7105 so is a faithful H539 messenger H6735 to them that send H7971 him: for he refresheth H7725 the soul H5315 of his masters. H113
14 Whoso H376 boasteth H1984 himself of a false H8267 gift H4991 is like clouds H5387 and wind H7307 without rain. H1653
15 By long H753 forbearing H639 is a prince H7101 persuaded, H6601 and a soft H7390 tongue H3956 breaketh H7665 the bone. H1634
16 Hast thou found H4672 honey? H1706 eat H398 so much as is sufficient H1767 for thee, lest thou be filled H7646 therewith, and vomit H6958 it.
17 Withdraw H3365 thy foot H7272 from thy neighbour's H7453 house; H1004 lest he be weary H7646 of thee, and so hate H8130 thee.
18 A man H376 that beareth H6030 false H8267 witness H5707 against his neighbour H7453 is a maul, H4650 and a sword, H2719 and a sharp H8150 arrow. H2671
19 Confidence H4009 in an unfaithful man H898 in time H3117 of trouble H6869 is like a broken H7465 tooth, H8127 and a foot H7272 out of joint. H4154
20 As he that taketh away H5710 a garment H899 in cold H7135 weather, H3117 and as vinegar H2558 upon nitre, H5427 so is he that singeth H7891 songs H7892 to an heavy H7451 heart. H3820
21 If thine enemy H8130 be hungry, H7457 give him bread H3899 to eat; H398 and if he be thirsty, H6771 give him water H4325 to drink: H8248
22 For thou shalt heap H2846 coals of fire H1513 upon his head, H7218 and the LORD H3068 shall reward H7999 thee.
23 The north H6828 wind H7307 driveth away H2342 rain: H1653 so doth an angry H2194 countenance H6440 a backbiting H5643 tongue. H3956
24 It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 in the corner H6438 of the housetop, H1406 than with a brawling H4079 H4066 woman H802 and in a wide H2267 house. H1004
25 As cold H7119 waters H4325 to a thirsty H5889 soul, H5315 so is good H2896 news H8052 from a far H4801 country. H776
26 A righteous H6662 man falling down H4131 before H6440 the wicked H7563 is as a troubled H7515 fountain, H4599 and a corrupt H7843 spring. H4726
27 It is not good H2896 to eat H398 much H7235 honey: H1706 so for men to search H2714 their own glory H3519 is not glory. H3519
28 He H376 that hath no rule H4623 over his own spirit H7307 is like a city H5892 that is broken down, H6555 and without walls. H2346
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 25
Commentary on Proverbs 25 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 25
Pr 25:1-28.
1. The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction).
also—refers to the former part of the book.
copied out—literally, "transferred," that is, from some other book to this; not given from memory.
2. God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare Isa 45:15; Ro 11:33). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;
3. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths.
4, 5. As separating impurities from ore leaves pure silver, so taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise and beneficent government.
5. before—or, "in presence of," as courtiers stood about a king.
6, 7. Do not intrude into the presence of the king, for the elevation of the humble is honorable, but the humbling of the proud disgraceful (Lu 14:8-10).
8. (Compare Pr 3:30).
lest … shame—lest you do what you ought not, when shamed by defeat, or "lest thou art shut out from doing any thing."
9, 10. (Compare Mt 5:25, Margin).
secret—that is, of your opponent, for his disadvantage, and so you be disgraced, not having discussed your difficulties with him.
11. a word fitly—literally, "quickly," as wheels roll, just in time. The comparison as apples … silver gives a like sense.
apples, &c.—either real apples of golden color, in a silver network basket, or imitations on silver embroidery.
12. Those who desire to know and do rightly, most highly esteem good counsel (Pr 9:9; 15:31). The listening ear is better than one hung with gold.
13. Snow from mountains was used to cool drinks; so refreshing is a faithful messenger (Pr 13:17).
14. clouds—literally, "vapors" (Jer 10:13), clouds only in appearance.
a false gift—promised, but not given.
15. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate.
long forbearing—or, "slowness to anger" (Pr 14:29; 15:18).
16, 17. A comparison, as a surfeit of honey produces physical disgust, so your company, however agreeable in moderation, may, if excessive, lead your friend to hate you.
18. A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (Pr 24:28).
beareth … witness—literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor.
19. Treachery annoys as well as deceives.
20. Not only is the incongruity of songs (that is, joyful) and sadness meant, but an accession of sadness, by want of sympathy, is implied.
21, 22. (Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.
23. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Ps 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."
24. (Compare Pr 21:9, 19).
25. (Compare Pr 25:13).
good news—that is, of some loved interest or absent friend, the more grateful as coming from afar.
26. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healthy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed.
27. Satiety surfeits (Pr 25:16); so men who are self-glorious find shame.
is not glory—"not" is supplied from the first clause, or "is grievous," in which sense a similar word is used (Pr 27:2).
28. Such are exposed to the incursions of evil thoughts and successful temptations.