Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 17

Introduction

CHAPTER 17

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Verse 1

1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Proverbs 7:14; Leviticus 2:3; Leviticus 7:31).

with—literally, "of."

strife—its product, or attendant.

Verse 2

2. (Compare :-).

causeth shame— ( :-).

shall . . . inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Numbers 27:4; Numbers 27:7).

Verse 3

3. God only knows, as He tries (Psalms 12:6; Psalms 66:10) the heart.

Verse 4

4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.

Verse 5

5. (Compare :-).

glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.

Verse 6

6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Proverbs 13:22; Psalms 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.

Verse 7

7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 16:13).

Verse 8

8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Proverbs 18:16; Proverbs 19:6).

Verse 9

9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.

Verse 10

10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.

Verse 11

11. Such meet just retribution (1 Kings 2:25).

a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.

Verse 12

12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.

Verse 13

13. (Compare Psalms 7:4; Psalms 35:12).

evil—injury to another (Proverbs 13:21).

Verse 14

14. letteth . . . water—as a breach in a dam.

before . . . meddled with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.

Verse 15

15. abomination . . . Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Proverbs 3:32; Proverbs 12:2).

Verse 16

16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 14:24).

Verse 17

17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.

Verse 18

18. (Compare Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 11:15).

in the presence, &c.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

Verse 19

19. strife—contention is, and leads to, sin.

he that exalteth his gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.

seeketh—or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," :-).

Verse 20

20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.

Verse 21

21. (Compare :-). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.

Verse 22

22. (Compare Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.

medicine—or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."

drieth—as if the marrow were exhausted.

Verse 23

23. a gift . . . bosom—Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.

to pervert—that is, by bribery.

Verse 24

24. Wisdom . . . him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.

Verse 25

25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 10:1).

Verse 26

26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.

Verse 27

27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.