20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And a man's eyes are never satisfied.
All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
"The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; Four that don't say, 'Enough:' Sheol, The barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'
Whatever my eyes desired, I didn't keep from them. I didn't withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is vanity, yes, it is a miserable business.
He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
But your eyes and your heart are not but for your covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 27
Commentary on Proverbs 27 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 27
Pr 27:1-27.
1. Do not confide implicitly in your plans (Pr 16:9; 19:21; Jas 4:13-15).
2. Avoid self-praise.
3. heavy—The literal sense of "heavy," applied to material subjects, illustrates its figurative, "grievous," applied to moral.
a fool's wrath—is unreasonable and excessive.
4. envy—or, "jealousy" (compare Margin; Pr 6:34), is more unappeasable than the simpler bad passions.
5, 6. secret love—not manifested in acts is useless; and even, if its exhibition by rebukes wounds us, such love is preferable to the frequent (compare Margin), and hence deceitful, kisses of an enemy.
7. The luxury of wealth confers less happiness than the healthy appetite of labor.
8. Such are not only out of place, but out of duty and in danger.
9. rejoice the heart—the organ of perceiving what pleases the senses.
sweetness … counsel—or, "wise counsel is also pleasing."
10. Adhere to tried friends. The ties of blood may be less reliable than those of genuine friendship.
11. The wisdom of children both reflects credit on parents and contributes to their aid in difficulties.
12, 13. (Compare Pr 20:16; 22:3).
14. Excessive zeal in praising raises suspicions of selfishness.
15. (Compare Pr 19:13).
very … day—literally, "a day of showers."
16. hideth—or, "restrains" (that is, tries to do it); is as fruitless an effort, as that of holding the wind.
the ointment of his right hand—the organ of power (Ps 17:7; 18:35). His right hand endeavors to repress perfume, but vainly. Some prefer: "His right hand comes on oil," that is, "cannot take hold." Such a woman cannot be tamed.
17. a man sharpeneth … friend—that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.
18. Diligence secures a reward, even for the humble servant.
19. We may see our characters in the developed tempers of others.
20. Men's cupidity is as insatiable as the grave.
21. Praise tests character.
a man to his praise—according to his praise, as he bears it. Thus vain men seek it, weak men are inflated by it, wise men disregard it, &c.
22. The obstinate wickedness of such is incurable by the heaviest inflictions.
23, 24. flocks—constituted the staple of wealth. It is only by care and diligence that the most solid possessions can be perpetuated (Pr 23:5).
25-27. The fact that providential arrangements furnish the means of competence to those who properly use them is another motive to diligence (compare Ps 65:9-13).
The hay appeareth—literally, "Grass appeareth" (Job 40:15; Ps 104:14).
27. household—literally, "house," the family (Ac 16:15; 1Co 1:16).