Bible Commentary

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. 21. feed ] In the wider sense perhaps which the word commonly has, supply the wants of, as a shepherd does. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Feed – The Hebrew word, like poimainein, includes the idea of guiding … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:21”

The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of the wicked [is] little worth. 20. tongue heart ] The force of the antithesis lies in these two words: even the tongue of the one, but the very heart of the other. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges The tongue, the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:20”

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise. 19. A Greek parallel has been cited from Stobus: , and a Latin from Cato: Virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam. Proximus ille Deo est qui scit ratione tacere. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges There … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:19”

He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool. 18. with lying lips ] Rather, is of lying lips, R.V. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Better, He who hideth hatred is of lying lips. He who cherishes hatred, is either a knave, or a fool … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:18”

He [is in] the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. 17. in the way &c.] Rather (with R.V. marg.), A way of life is he that heedeth correction: But he that forsaketh reproof causeth to err. The one by his example and influence is a way of life to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:17”

The labor of the righteous [tendeth] to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. 16. fruit ] or, increase, R.V. It has been thought that a contrast is here drawn between the actual “labour” of the righteous which, however toilsome in itself, has its issue in life, and the “increase,” the fruit of labour, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:16”

The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city: the destruction of the poor [is] their poverty. 15. destruction ] The Heb. word is the same as in Pro 10:14. If we take it here, too, to denote a tottering building, ready to fall upon its tenant and bury him beneath its ruins, the parallelism is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:15”

Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction. 14. near destruction ] Rather, is a near, or imminent (R.V. a present) destruction: “it is like a house ready to fall at any moment.” The antithesis is between wise men who treasure their wisdom to be used as occasion serves, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:14”

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding. 13. that hath understanding ] or, discernment, R.V. The contrast is heightened by pursuing in the second clause the want of understanding to its consequences. The Speaker’s Comm. quotes the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:13”

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 12. love covereth &c.] See 1Pe 4:8, where the use of charity for love in A.V. obscures the fact that it is probably a quotation of this proverb. The LXX., however, has here a different reading ( ), so that the Apostle must either have quoted … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 10:12”