Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 17:19
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
19. exalteth ] Or, raiseth high, R.V. Comp. Pro 16:18. See for illustrations of such “raising high the gate” and of the “destruction” that follows it, Jer 22:13-19, and the case of Haman in the Book of Esther.
The relation of pride to strife (Pro 13:10) supplies a connecting link between the two clauses of this verse.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He that exalteth his gate – i. e., Builds a stately house, indulges in arrogant ostentation.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. He that exalteth his gate] In different parts of Palestine they are obliged to have the doors of their courts and houses very low, not more than three feet high, to prevent the Arabs, who scarcely ever leave the backs of their horses, from riding into the courts and houses, and spoiling their goods. He, then, who, through pride and ostentation, made a high gate, exposed himself to destruction; and is said here to seek it, because he must know that this would be a necessary consequence of exalting his gate. But although the above is a fact, yet possibly gate is here taken for the mouth; and the exalting of the gate may mean proud boasting and arrogant speaking, such as has a tendency to kindle and maintain strife. And this interpretation seems to agree better with the scope of the context than the above.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He loveth transgression that loveth strife, because contention is in itself a sin, and is commonly accompanied or followed with many sins, as detraction, malice, hatred, pride, &c.
His gate; either,
1. His mouth, i.e. who speaketh loftily; for we read of the gate or doors of ones mouth in Mic 7:5. and elsewhere; but then the word mouth or tongue is added to determine the sense: but the mouth is no where called the gate, simply or absolutely. Or,
2. The gate of his house that maketh it, and consequently his house, lofty and magnificent, beyond what befits his quality, which being an evidence and effect of pride and haughtiness of spirit, is here mentioned for all the rest. So the sense is, He who carries himself loftily and scornfully.
Seeketh destruction; he seeks those things which will expose him to destruction, because he maketh himself odious both to God and men. Or, findeth destruction; seeking being put for finding or procuring, as above, Pro 17:9.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. strifecontention is, andleads to, sin.
he that exalteth hisgategratifies a vain love of costly building.
seekethor, “findeth,”as if he sought (compare “loveth death,” Pr8:36).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He loveth transgression that loveth strife,…. For strife is transgression, when it flows from a malignant spirit, is with bad views, about things to no profit, and for contention’s sake; otherwise to contend earnestly for the truth; to strive together for the faith of the Gospel, for matters of moment and importance, and not mere words; to strive lawfully in a cause that is just, and for truth and justice, is commendable and praiseworthy;
[and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction; that opens the door of his lips, and speaks proudly, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret it; who compare it with Mic 7:5; who set their mouths against heaven, and God in it; and whose tongue walks through the earth, and spares none there, Ps 73:8; as antichrist, who opens his mouth in blasphemy against God and his tabernacle, and exalts himself above all that is called God; and such, sooner or later, bring destruction on themselves, and find it as surely as if they sought for it. Or this may be understood of proud ambitious persons, that build houses more magnificent than their substance will allow of, the gate being put for the whole; by which means they bring themselves to ruin. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions, have it in Pr 17:16, “he that buildeth his house high”; or who behaves proudly.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Note, 1. Those that are quarrelsome involve themselves in a great deal of guilt: He that loves strife, that in his worldly business loves to go to law, in religion loves controversies, and in common conversation loves to thwart and fall out, that is never well but when he is in the fire, he loves transgression; for a great deal of sin attends that sin, and the way of it is down-hill. He pretends to stand up for truth, and for his honour and right, but really he loves sin, which God hates. 2. Those that are ambitious and aspiring expose themselves to a great deal of trouble, such as often ends in their ruin: He that exalts his gate, builds a stately house, at least a fine frontispiece, that he may overtop and outshine his neighbours, seeks his own destruction and takes a deal of pains to ruin himself; he makes his gate so large that his house and estate go out at it.
| Folly and Wickedness. | |
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Destroying Pride
Verse 19 declares that to love strife is to love sin, the underlying cause of strife; and implies that such fosters an arrogance that invites destruction, Pro 29:22; Pro 11:2; Pro 16:18; Pro 29:23. The reference to exalting the gate suggests the practice of some to show their wealth by elaborate tombs, enlarged homes and grand entrances, Pro 29:23 a; Isa 22:15-21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(19) He that exalteth his gate.Builds himself a sumptuous house.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. He loveth transgression Or sin: or, a lover of rebellion is a lover of war. It is uncertain which is subject and which is predicate.
He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction That is, in effect. The imagery of the clause is supposed to come from the custom of making low gates, in order to guard against the incursions of predatory horsemen. A high gate, often made so at great expense for ornament and the gratification of the owner’s vanity, enabled them to dash in, without dismounting, to drive or carry off their booty hastily. The application is easy. He that makes a splendid display, especially in magnificent buildings beyond his means to erect, is, in effect, seeking financial ruin, or, as we say, “breaking up.”
Many a business man, by an outlay of this kind, has involved himself in bankruptcy. The proverb may be applied more generally to the effects of haughtiness. “Pride will have a fall.” Compare Pro 16:18.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 17:19. He that exalteth his gate Among other violences of the Arabs, that of riding into the houses of those whom they mean to harass, is not one of the least observable; the rather, as it seems to be referred to in the Scriptures. To prevent this insult, and the mischief which these Arabs might do them, Thevenot tells us, that the door of the house in which the French merchants lived at Rama was not three feet high; and that all the doors of that town are equally low, to hinder the Arabs from entering their houses on horseback; and he afterwards speaks of a large door going into the church at Bethlehem, which has been walled up, and only a wicket left in it three feet high, and two wide, to hinder the Arabs from entering the church with their horses. Other authors have made the like observation. Now may not the present passage refer to this, He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction, or calamity? The royal preacher elsewhere saith, Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall; and again, Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility; texts which seem to contain the same thought in general with that before us. If then he thought fit to come to particulars, why is the height of the gate of a haughty person mentioned, rather than other circumstances of magnificence in a building? rather than the wideness of the house, the airiness of the rooms, the cutting out of windows, the cedar ceilings, and the vermillion, which are all mentioned by Jeremiah as pieces of grandeur? It can hardly be imagined, that Solomon mentioned the stateliness of the gateway of a house without a particular meaning; but if bands of Arabs had taken the advantage of large doors to enter into houses which stood in the confines of Solomon’s kingdom, or of neighbouring countries with which the Jews were well acquainted, there is a most graceful vivacity in the Apophthegm. See Observ. p. 56.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Pro 17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Ver. 19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife. ] It is strange that any should love strife, that hellhag, . And yet some, like trouts, love to swim against the stream; like salamanders, they live in the fire of contention; like Phocion, they hold it a goodly thing to dissent from others; like Pyrrhus, they are a “people that delight in war”; Psa 68:30 like David’s enemies, “I am for peace,” saith he (that was his motto), “but when I speak of it, they are for war.” Psa 120:7 These unquiet spirits are of the devil doubtless, that turbulent creature, that troubler of God’s Israel. He knows that “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work,” Jam 3:16 and that he loveth transgression that loveth strife; he taketh pleasure in sin, which is the cause of his unquietness. Good, therefore, and worthy of all acceptation is the council of the Psalmist, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” Psa 37:8 He that “frets” much will soon be drawn to “do evil.” “An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression” Pro 29:22 Hence our Saviour bids “have salt within yourselves”; that is, mortify your corruptions, and then “be at peace one with another.” Mar 9:50 Hence also St James saith, that “the wisdom from above is first pure, and then peaceable.” And St Paul oft joins faith and love together; there can be no true love to, and good agreement with men, till the heart be purified by faith from the love of sin.
And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he that exalteth his gate, &c. : i.e. a rich man, who thus proclaimed his wealth (Eastern doors being generally low-pitched and uninviting),
courted destruction. This explains 2Ki 25:9, where “every great man’s house he (Nebuchadnezzar) burnt with fire”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 17:19
Pro 17:19
“He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.”
“One who is fond of crime must be fond of trouble, and to make one’s doorway inaccessible is to invite destruction. Another rendition of the last clause is: “He who builds a lofty entrance invites thieves. The idea behind this is that the thief believes the builder is protecting valuables by such an entrance.
Pro 17:19. One who loves strife must love transgression for strife produces many violations of Gods law (such as jealousies, envyings, evil surmisings, hatreds, anger, malice, evil speaking, etc.). Such is carnality: Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of man? (1Co 3:3). Jas 3:16 : Where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. Pulpit Commentary on exalting ones gate and its consequent destruction: He who builds a sumptuous house and lives in a way that his magnificent surroundings demand draws ruin on himself…The entrance to a Palestine house would usually be of humble dimensions and sparse ornamentation; any doorway of great architectural pretensions would be uncommon, and would be regarded as a token of extraordinary wealth or reprehensible pride…which he is unable to support or…provoke reprisals and injurious consequences. A saying: One who makes an unusual success in life makes many false friends and true enemies. Build something great, and the world will not only notice it, but someone will try to destroy it. See Pro 16:18 also.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
loveth: Pro 17:14, Pro 29:9, Pro 29:22, 2Co 12:20, Jam 1:20, Jam 3:14-16
he that: Pro 16:18, Pro 18:12, Pro 24:27, 1Sa 25:36-38, 2Sa 15:1, 1Ki 1:5, Jer 22:13-15, Dan 4:20, Dan 4:21
Reciprocal: Jer 22:14 – I will
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 17:19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife Because contention is in itself a sin, and is commonly accompanied or followed with many sins, as detraction, malice, hatred, pride, &c.; and he that exalteth his gate Namely, the gate of his house, that maketh it, and consequently his house, lofty and magnificent beyond what becomes his quality, that he may overtop and outshine his neighbours; which being an effect and evidence of pride and haughtiness, is here mentioned for all other evidences thereof. So the sense is, he who carries himself loftily and scornfully; seeketh destruction Seeks those things which will expose him to destruction, because he makes himself odious both to God and men.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his {k} gate seeketh destruction.
(k) Lifts up himself above his degree.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
"Raising the door" does not mean opening it, but building a higher, more splendid door for the sake of impressing others. Just as a person who loves transgression thereby sets himself up for strife, so the person who loves to display his wealth is setting himself up for destruction. His door publicizes his wealth and attracts the interest of burglars. Some interpreters take the gate figuratively.
". . . the gate is the mouth, and so to make it high is to say lofty things-he brags too much (see 1Sa 2:3; Pro 18:12; Pro 29:23)." [Note: Ross, p. 1019.]