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the Fourth Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 17

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole BibleCommentary Critical

Introduction

CHAPTER 17

:-.

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.

Bibliographical Information
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Proverbs 17". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/proverbs-17.html. 1871-8.
 
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