Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 16:5
Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
5. Though hand join in hand ] See Pro 11:21, note.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
See the marginal reference note.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 16:5
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.
On pride
In the maladies which assault the human body, a marked distinction prevails as to the relative extensiveness of their influence. A kindred analogy discriminates the distempers of the mind. Pride claims the denomination of an universal passion. Age, or sex, or situation exempts not from its control. Body and mind, virtues and vices, it presses into its service. Men are proud in health, proud in the chamber of disease; proud in public, proud in retirement; proud of their frugality, proud of their profusion; proud of their sobriety, proud of their intemperance; proud of their pride, proud of their humility.
I. Some of its modes of operation.
1. National pride. Different regions are separated by appropriate marks of moral discrimination. One will be described as courageous; one as interested; one as fickle, one as circumspect. But you will hear each characterised as proud. Pride sometimes wears the features of emulation; sometimes of ambition; sometimes of resentment; sometimes of policy. How generally in the senate and in the private circles, no less than on the parade and in the camp, is national pride, under various forms, addressed, applauded, pushed forward additional excesses!
2. Pride in the walks of private life. The man who is intoxicated by pride of birth; the pride of authority. The exercise of power affords to pride the most solid gratification. The pride of wealth. What solicitude is devoted to the establishment of a name for opulence! Besides the pride of accumulation and possession, there is the pride of displaying riches. The pride of genius, intellect, and talents. Under how many different shapes is it exhibited! Sometimes in disdain of industry, as indicative of dulness; sometimes in the love of singularity and paradox; sometimes in proneness to stigmatise received opinions as vulgar prejudices, or in sceptical repugnance to acquiesce in any truth not completely circumscribed within the span of human comprehension. Sometimes it betrays itself by overweening ideas which the individual ill disguises of the extent of his own powers, and by his unbounded estimation of their importance; sometimes by open scorn of ordinary men, and of the sobriety of common sense; sometimes by unwarranted daringness of enterprise, and presumptuous confidence of success; sometimes it is displayed in impatience of contradiction, in oracular sententiousness, in a dictatorial delivery of opinion. The pride of literary and professional attainments. The pride of fashion. Above all, the man of spiritual pride.
II. The irreconcilable contrariety between pride and religious principle. The corner-stone of Christian virtue is humility. The most powerful obstacle to the conversion of the Jews was pride. The primary source of modern unbelief is pride. Pride, which refuses to do homage to the wisdom of revelation, and bow the neck to the yoke of the gospel. The cold and careless scorner resists the influence of the gospel far more effectually than the open sinner.
III. Gods special judgments against pride. He chastises nations by bringing upon them national calamities. In Scripture we find it is this sin that has drawn down the most severe judgments on individuals, such as Nebuchadnezzar, Uzziah, Hezekiah, Ahithophel, Herod (see also the Laodiceans). Is not pride convicted as in every shape utterly un-Christian, as the primary cause of the fall of man, as in all ages the foundation of most heinous sins, of the most tremendous judgments? Then leave pride to the proud. Be not ye corrupted to call evil good, and darkness light. Pride is ever setting itself up against heaven. When it looks to God, it is with a desire of being freed from dependence on Him. When it considers men, it undervalues His gifts to others; and prompts us to act, with respect to His gifts to ourselves, as though they were inherent in us, or were our due. Scrutinise your own bosom that you may discover whether it is under the influence of pride. (Thos. Gisborne, M.A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 5. Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.] The day of wrath shall come on the wicked, whatever means he may take to avoid it. See Pr 11:21.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That is proud in heart, though he dissemble it in his outward carriage and countenance, as Psa 10:4. In whose heart pride rules.
Though hand join in hand; though they have many friends and assistants. See the same phrase Pro 11:21.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. (Compare Pr3:32).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the Lord,…. Though he may dissemble his pride, and not discover it in his looks, by his words and gestures; yet the Lord sees and knows the heart, the naughtiness of it, and the pride that is in it: and only a proud look, but a proud heart, is abominable to him: everyone that is so arrogant as to arraign the decrees of God, and quarrel with him about them, to whom the apostle says, “Nay, but, O man”, O proud vain man, “who art thou, that repliest against God?” Ro 9:19; every proud Pharisee, that trusts in himself that he is righteous, and despises others, that justifies himself before men, is an abomination in the sight of God, Lu 18:9; particularly antichrist, who has not only a proud look, a look more stout than his fellows, but a proud heart; exalts himself above all that is called God; and not only speaks big words against the most High, but has it in his heart to change times and laws; and proudly imagines he shall always continue in his grandeur and prosperity, Da 7:25;
[though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished; though he endeavours with both hands, with all his might and main, to secure himself and prevent his ruin, he shall not be able to do it; though he enters into confederacy with, and calls in the kings of the earth to his assistance, it will be of no avail, both he and they shall be destroyed; or out of hand, immediately, his destruction will come upon him, Re 16:14;
[See comments on Pr 11:21]; The Targum is,
“from evil he shall not be cleared;”
and the Syriac version,
“he that stretcheth out his hand against his neighbour shall not be cleared from evil.”
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here follow three proverbs of divine punishment, expiatio [ Vershnung ] and reconciliatio [ Vershnung ].
5 An abomination of Jahve is every one who is haughty;
The hand for it [assuredly] he remains not unpunished.
Proverbs thus commencing we already had at Pro 15:9, Pro 15:26. is a metaplastic connecting form of ; on the contrary, , 1Sa 16:7; Psa 103:11, means being high, as , height; the form underlying is not (as Gesen. and Olshausen write it), but . In 5b, Pro 11:21 is repeated. The translators are perplexed in their rendering of . Fleischer: ab aetate in aetatem non ( i.e., nullo unquam tempore futuro ) impunis erit .
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Note, 1. The pride of sinners sets God against them. He that, being high in estate is proud in heart, whose spirit is elevated with his condition, so that he becomes insolent in his conduct towards God and man, let him know that though he admires himself, and others caress him, yet he is an abomination to the Lord. The great God despises him; the holy God detest him. 2. The power of sinners cannot secure them against God, though they strengthen themselves with body hands. Though they may strengthen one another with their confederacies and combinations, joining forces against God, they shall not escape his righteous judgment. Woe unto him that strives with his Maker,Pro 11:21; Isa 45:9.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Pride An Abomination
Verse 5 emphasizes a previous declaration that pride is an abomination to the LORD (See 7-fold list Pro 6:16-19 of which pride is first); and warns that though many indulge, it shall not escape punishment, Dan 4:20-32; Dan 5:22-30. See also Pro 16:18-19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Pro. 16:5. Though hand join in hand, literally hand to hand, as in chap. Pro. 11:21. This phrase is variously understood. Stuart renders it Should hand be added to hand, i.e., although a haughty man should employ all his powers of resistance, he shall not go unpunished. Delitzsch and Zckler render it assuredly, as in chap. Pro. 11:21. See also the comments on the verse.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 16:5
HEART-PRIDE
I. That which may be hidden from all others is ever manifest to One Being. There is coin in the world that is not money nor moneys worth, although it often passes through the hands of many before its worthlessness is detected. But there are eyes which could tell at once that it was not genuine, and hands which if it came into their possession would soon reduce it to its true level among the baser metals. So there is in the world a feigned humility, which has so much the appearance of the genuine article that no earthly creature suspects that it is the covering of a heart big with pride. But when God judges whether a man is proud or humble He looks through the words and actions at the heart. Everyone that is proud in heart, etc.
II. God abhors pride.
1. It is entirely contrary to His own nature. God is entirely without pride. His condescension is one of His most remarkable attributes. God manifest in flesh abased Himself beyond the possibility of any finite creature. Being in the form of God He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Php. 3:7-8). We always find that in proportion as men are holy and god-like they are destitute of pride. The proudest men are always those who have least to be proud of. Therefore pride can have no place in the character of the holy and ever-blessed God.
2. It is opposed to the possessors well-being. God not only abhors pride because He is Himself supremely good, but He holds it in abomination because He desires mens good. Whatever is opposed to Gods nature must be opposed to mans interest. He who desires the salvation of all His creatures hates pride because it holds men tied and bound in fetters which hinder their approach to Him; because it makes men akin to the fallen angels. (On this subject see also on chapters Pro. 11:1; Pro. 13:10, page 305, etc.)
III. Union is no guarantee against punishment. Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. When that which is an abomination to God is the foundation of a confederation, it must be overthrown by the power of the stronger arm. And it contains within itself an element of overthrow. A house may have an appearance of compactness which may lead a casual onlooker to think it is destined to stand for many a century. But its foundation is in the sand, and its fall is only the work of time, even if storms and tempests never beat upon its walls. So there may be an appearance of strength where pride is the basis of union, but it can be only an appearance. Pride is a dividing force and not a binding one, and all confederations against God being based upon it, they rest only upon a foundation of sand. (See also on chap. Pro. 11:21.)
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
(1.) If God has made everthing for His purpose (Pro. 16:4), how foolish the man who arrogantly forgets Him!
(2.) If God has besought us to work under His plans (Pro. 16:3), how wicked the man who proudly mutinies. If God works even in kings (chap. Pro. 21:1), how absurd the man who would work away from Him. How can it work well? Hand to hand, i.e., in close quarters (chap. Pro. 11:21), as we shall come all of us at the last, how can the workers outside of the Almighty possibly go unpunished?Miller.
How many sins are in this sinful world, and yet, as Solomon saith of the good wife (Pro. 31:29), Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou surmountest them all. So I may say of pride, many sins have done wickedly, but thou surmountest them all; for the wrathful man, the prodigal man, the lascivious man, the surfeiting man, the slothful man, is rather an enemy to himself than to God; the envious man, the covetous man, the deceitful man, the ungrateful man, is rather an enemy to men than to God; but the proud man sets himself against God, because he doth against His laws, he maketh himself equal with God, because he doth all without God, and craves no help of Him; he exalteth himself above God, because he will have his own will, though it be contrary to Gods will. As the humble man saith, Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but to Thy name give the glory (Psa. 115:1); so the proud man saith, Not unto Him, not unto Him, but unto us give glory.. Therefore God is specially said to resist the proud, because the proud resist Him. Here is heaven against earth, the Creator against the creature, the Father against the Son, the Prince against the subjectwho is like to win the field?. It had been too heavy for them, if he had said the Lord doth not care for them; for Gods care preserveth us, and our own care doth but trouble us; but to say that the Lord doth resist them, is as if Michael should denounce war with the dragon till he hath cast him into the pit.Henry Smith, 1590.
Some make hand in hand to be no more than out of hand, immediately, or with ease, for nothing is sooner or with more ease done than to fold one hand in another. God shall spread forth His hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim, and He shall bring down their pride together with the spoil of their hands (Isa. 25:11). The motion in swimming is easy, not strong; for strong strokes in the water would rather sink than support. God, with greatest facility, can subdue His stoutest adversary when once it comes to handy-gripeswhen once his hands join to the proud mans handso some sense this textso that they do manus conserere, then shall it appear that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Heb. 10:31).Trapp.
From hand to hand expresses the consecutive connection of causes through which the Lord works; though the proud escape one occasion of His punishment, yet he is reserved for another.Mercer.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(5) Though hand join in hand.See Note on Pro. 11:21.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Proud in heart Of a haughty, insolent mind, disposed to treat the poor and weak contemptuously and oppressively.
Though hand join in hand Though he use both his own hands and all others at his command all his power and influence.
He (the proud in heart) shall not be unpunished Shall not be acquitted. Comp. on first clause Pro 6:17; Pro 8:13; Pro 15:9; Pro 25:26; on second clause Pro 11:21.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Pro 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Pro 16:5
(1) The Handing Down from One Generation to the Other – First, the phrase “hand in hand” may carry the concept of handing down from one generation to the other, which contrasts well with the “seed of the righteous” in the second part of the verse. JFB quotes Mercer, DeDieu, and Maurer, who believe that this phrase refers to the succession of parents and children. [105] KD refer to Bottcher, who interprets the phrase “hand to hand” to means, “from one hand to another.” [106] Just as the seed of the righteous will benefit from these blessings, so will the descendants of the wicked find punishment. E. H. Plumpter says, “From hand to hand, from one generation to another, punishment shall descend on the evil doers.” [107] Note this principle in Exo 20:5-6.
[105] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Proverbs, in Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database (Seattle, WA: Hendrickson Publishers Inc., 1997), in P.C. Study Bible, v. 3.1 [CD-ROM] (Seattle, WA: Biblesoft Inc., 1993-2000), comments on Proverbs 11:21.
[106] C. F. Keil, and F. Delitzsch, Proverbs, in Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database (Seattle, WA: Hendrickson Publishers Inc., 1996), in P.C. Study Bible, v. 3.1 [CD-ROM] (Seattle, WA: Biblesoft Inc., 1993-2000), comments on Proverbs 11:21.
[107] E. H. Plumpter, Proverbs, in The Holy Bible According to the Authorized Version (A.D. 1611), with an Explanation and Critical Commentary and a Revision of the Translation, by Bishops and Clergy of the Anglican Church, vol. 4, ed. F. C. Cook (London: John Murray, 1873), 560.
Exo 20:5-6, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
The blessings of the righteous will forever be handed down to his descendants as it brings never-ending blessings from one generation to the next; but the punishment that God hands down to the wicked will cut off their seed after the fourth generation and thus, purge the world of this wickedness. For example, Jesus Christ gave His blessings to twelve apostles. The blessings from the Gospel of Jesus have been handed down for thousands of years, and even into eternity. In contrast, the Lord cut off Ahab and other wicked leaders in Israel in their fourth generation.
(2) God Hands Down His Divine Judgment – John Gill quotes Jarchi’s (Rashi’s) interpretation of Pro 11:21, which says, “ from the hand of the Holy One, blessed be He, to his hand shall come to him his wage, and he will not be cleansed of the evil that he committed.” [108] In other words, this phrase would mean that God hands down His divine judgment from His hand into the hand of the sinners.
[108] John Gill, 1 Kings, in John Gill’s Expositor, in e-Sword, v. 7.7.7 [CD-ROM] (Franklin, Tennessee: e-Sword, 2000-2005), comments on comments on Proverbs 11:21; The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary, ed. A. J. Rosenberg (New York: The Judaica Press Company, 1963) [on-line]; accessed 13 December 2009; available from http//www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16445/showrashi/true; Internet, comments on Proverbs 11:21.
(3) A Handshake and a Covenant – This phrase may carry the idea of a handshake and a covenant. JFB says, “The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment.” [109] It would mean that the wicked may have many joined in agreement, but this will not protect him from divine wrath. It refers to the protection that comes in the ancient societies from joining in league and covenants with neighbours. This practice of covenant making was the best assurance of protection against other warlords and bands of marauders.
[109] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Proverbs, in Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database (Seattle, WA: Hendrickson Publishers Inc., 1997), in P.C. Study Bible, v. 3.1 [CD-ROM] (Seattle, WA: Biblesoft Inc., 1993-2000), comments on Proverbs 11:21.
(4) The Concept of Certainty – Most modern translations interpret this phrase “hand to hand” to be a Hebrew idiom that means, “You have my word on it.” Thus, it refers to a pledge made in a handshake, giving the figurative interpretation “certainly.” KD prefer to side with Ewald’s view that this phrase refers to a pledge or a guarantee. They quote Job 17:3 as an example. [110]
[110] C. F. Keil, and F. Delitzsch, Proverbs, in Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database (Seattle, WA: Hendrickson Publishers Inc., 1996), in P.C. Study Bible, v. 3.1 [CD-ROM] (Seattle, WA: Biblesoft Inc., 1993-2000), comments on Proverbs 11:21.
Job 17:3, “Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me ?”
Thus, the idea of a promise, a guarantee, or a certainty that something will come to pass is implied. Note how many versions translate this phrase with this idea:
BBE, “ Certainly the evil-doer will not go free from punishment, but the seed of the upright man will be safe.”
HNV, “ Most assuredly , the evil man will not be unpunished, But the seed of the righteous will be delivered.”
JPS, “ My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape.”
NIV, “ Be sure of this : The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.”
We find this same entire Hebrew phrase in Pro 16:5 ( ).
Pro 16:5, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished .”
Note how other translations of Pro 16:5 carry the idea of certainty.
Brenton, “ Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless.”
DRC, “Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand , he is not innocent.”
JPS, “ Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; my hand upon it! he shall not be unpunished.”
NIV, “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this : They will not go unpunished.”
(5) The Making of Unjust Agreements – The LXX says that this phrase refers to people who make “unjust” agreements with others bringing punishment upon themselves.
Brenton, “He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.”
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
v. 5. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
All these are most certain and solemn truths. The latter verse should always be in the believer’s recollection. We are so apt to look to second causes, that we frequently overlook the first great, and predisposing cause of all. Whereas did we but keep in remembrance what we cannot but know, that the hearts of all men are in the Lord’s disposal, neither the frowns nor smiles of men would have anymore than their proper effect. In proof of this, Reader, pray read Joseph’s faith on this occasion: Gen 45:4-8 . And then read the church’s account to the same: Psa 105:25 . And then read the words of a greater than all, and upon the greatest of all occasions: Joh 19:10-11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 16:5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Ver. 5. Every one that is proud in heart, &c. ] That lifts up himself against God and his righteous decree; daring to reprehend what they do not comprehend about the doctrine of reprobation, as those chatters, Rom 9:20 . These, while, like proud and yet brittle clay, they will be knocking their sides against the solid and eternal decrees of God – called mountains of brass Zec 6:1 – break themselves in pieces. So likewise do such as “stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed.” 1Pe 2:8 How much better were it for them to take the prophet’s counsel, “Hear, and give ear, be not proud, for the Lord hath spoken it. Give glory to the Lord your God” – let him be justified and every mouth stopped, subscribe to his most perfect justice, though it were in your own utter destruction – “before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains.” Jer 13:15-16 That was a proud and atheistic speech of Louis XI, Si salvabor, salvabor; si veto damnabor damnabor: If I shall be saved, I shall be saved; and if I shall be damned, I shall be damned; and there is all the care that I shall take. Not unlike to this was that wretched resolution of one Ruffus, of whom it is reported that he painted God on the one side of his shield, and the devil on the other, with this mad motto, Si tu me nolis, iste rogitat: If thou wilt not have me, here is one who will!
Though hand join in hand.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
abomination, &c. See note on Pro 3:32.
hand . . . hand. Easterns walk thus: Westerns walk arm in arm.
un-punished = acquitted, or held innocent.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 16:5
Pro 16:5
“Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: Though hand join in hand he shall not be unpunished.”
The first clause here is identical with that of Pro 11:20; and the second clause with that of Pro 11:21. This second clause means, “My hand on it,” or “assuredly.” Toy translated this: “The proud man is an abomination to Yahweh; he will assuredly not go unpunished.
Pro 16:5. Again we have a saying showing Gods abomination for pride. In comparison to God and His works, man is nothing (Psa 8:3-4; Psa 39:4-5). Even whole nations of the earth are nothing in comparison with Him (Isa 40:15; Isa 40:17). What each of us has, we should not boast of it, for we have received it (1Co 4:7). Regardless of the area of our lives that we might be considering, before God boasting is excluded (Rom 3:27). Other passages against pride: Pro 6:16-17; Luk 18:11-14; 1Pe 5:5; 1Jn 2:16). The last part of our present verse is found in Pro 11:21 also, meaning that no matter how many alliances proud man may make, God can overthrow them all. Nor is there safety in numbers when God arises to punish the multitude of the wicked.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
that: Pro 6:16, Pro 6:17, Pro 8:13, Job 40:12, Jam 4:6
though: Pro 11:21
unpunished: Heb. held innocent, Exo 20:7, Isa 3:11, Rom 2:8, Rom 2:9
Reciprocal: Pro 17:5 – unpunished Isa 2:12 – upon Isa 65:5 – These Jer 43:2 – all the Eze 16:49 – pride Dan 5:20 – when Mat 6:5 – Verily Luk 16:15 – for Act 5:9 – have Rom 2:3 – that thou shalt