33 Thine eyes see strange women, And thy heart speaketh perverse things.
come, we cause our father to drink wine, and lie with him, and preserve from our father -- a seed.' And they cause their father to drink wine on that night; and the first-born goeth in, and lieth with her father, and he hath not known in her lying down, or in her rising up. And it cometh to pass, on the morrow, that the first-born saith unto the younger, `Lo, I have lain yesterday-night with my father: we cause him to drink wine also to-night, and go thou in, lie with him, and we preserve from our father -- a seed.' And they cause their father to drink wine on that night also, and the younger riseth and lieth with him, and he hath not known in her lying down, or in her rising up. And the two daughters of Lot conceive from their father, and the first-born beareth a son, and calleth his name Moab; he `is' father of Moab unto this day; as to the younger, she also hath born a son, and calleth his name Ben-Ammi: he `is' father of the Beni-Ammon unto this day.
Those sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments.
Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
they have drunk wine, and have praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
These are in your love-feasts craggy rocks; feasting together with you, without fear shepherding themselves; clouds without water, by winds carried about; trees autumnal, without fruit, twice dead, rooted up; wild waves of a sea, foaming out their own shames; stars going astray, to whom the gloom of the darkness to the age hath been kept.
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.