Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, March 19th, 2024
the Fifth Week of Lent
There are 12 days til Easter!
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 11

Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesBullinger's Companion Notes

Verse 1

A false balance = False balances.

abomination. See note on Proverbs 3:32 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

weight = stone. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the weight it represents. This proverb is repeated three times (Proverbs 16:11 ; Proverbs 20:10 , Proverbs 20:23 ). Compare Leviticus 19:36 . Deuteronomy 25:13-15 , and Micah 6:11 . There was a royal standard (2 Samuel 14:26 ).

Verse 2

When pride cometh, then, &c. Illustrations: Miriam (Numbers 12:10 ; Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-21 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30 ); Moab (. Zephaniah 2:8 , Zephaniah 2:10 ); Nineveh (Zephaniah 2:15 ).

But with the lowly, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 41:16 , Genesis 41:38 , Genesis 41:39 ); Daniel (Daniel 2:20 , Daniel 2:21 . Compare Proverbs 2:6 ).

wisdom. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 3

integrity, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:4 , Genesis 39:22 , Genesis 39:23 ; Genesis 50:25 .Hebrews 11:22; Hebrews 11:22 ).

the upright = upright ones.

perverseness, &c. = slipperiness. Illustrations: Israel (Deuteronomy 1:43 , Deuteronomy 1:44 ); Balaam (Numbers 22:32 ; Numbers 31:8 ); Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:25 ; 1 Samuel 4:11 ); Saul (1 Samuel 15:23 ); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:3-6 ; 2 Samuel 15:18 ); Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:1-3 , 2 Samuel 17:23 ); Ahab(1 Kings 21:25 , 1Ki 21:26 ; 1 Kings 22:34 , 1 Kings 22:37 ); Jews (Jeremiah 34:8-22 ); Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9:9 , Ezekiel 9:10 ).

trangsressors = traitors. Hebrew. bagad = faithless to covenant. Not the same word as in Proverbs 16:10 ; Proverbs 26:10 ; Proverbs 28:21 ; but the same as in all other passages in this book.

Verse 4

the day, &c. The day of [God's] wrath.

delivereth = rescueth. Hebrew. nazal here and in Proverbs 11:9 , but not in verses: Proverbs 11:8 , Proverbs 11:9 , or 21.

Verse 5

perfect = without blemish or blame. Hebrew. tamim : used of sacrifices.

the wicked . . . wickedness = a lawless one . . . lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha' . App-44 . Not the same word as in Proverbs 11:21 .

Verse 6

naughtiness. See note on Proverbs 6:12 . [worthless].

Verse 7

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

expectation shall perish. Illustrations: Balaam's (Numbers 23:10 ; Numbers 31:8 ); Absalom's (2 Samuel 18:0 . Compare Proverbs 20:20 ). Compare also Job 21:7-13 and Psalms 73:19 . Luke 12:16-20 .

expectation. Hebrew. kavah. See note on Proverbs 10:28 .

Verse 8

The righteous = A righteous one.

delivered = drawn out, liberated with gentle effort. Hebrew. chalaz . The same word as in Proverbs 11:9 , but not the same as in verses: Proverbs 11:4 , Proverbs 11:6 ; Proverbs 11:21 . Illustrations: Mordecai and Haman (Esther 7:9 , Esther 7:10 ); Daniel and his accusers (Daniel 6:23 , Daniel 6:24 ); Israel and Egyptians (Exodus 14:0 , and Isaiah 43:3 , Isaiah 43:4 ).

Verse 9

mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is said by it.

the just = righteous ones.

Verse 10

When it goeth well, &c. Illustrations: Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:3-36 ; 2 Chronicles 30:26 ); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:0 ; Nehemiah 6:15 ; Nehemiah 8:17 ); Mordecai (Esther 8:15 , Esther 8:16 ). when the wicked perish, &c. Illustrations: Pharaoh (Exodus 15:0 ); Sisera(Judges 5:0 ); Athaliah (2 Kings 11:20 ). the wicked = wicked ones.

Verse 11

overthrown; or ruined.

Verse 12

wisdom. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for sense.

despiseth = reproacheth: in contrast with the next line.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 13

A talebearer = He that goes about talebearing: or, a peddler in scandal. Compare Leviticus 19:16 . James 1:26 . Illustrations: Doeg ( 1Sa 21:7 ; 1 Samuel 22:9 , 1 Samuel 22:10 . Psalms 52:2 , Compare Proverbs 24:28 ); the nobles of Judah (Nehemiah 6:17-19 ).

secrets = a secret.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 14

counsel: or helmsman.

multitude of counsellers. Provided they are really "counsellers".

safety = salvation.

Verse 15

for a stranger, &c. Christ became surety for His People, and they were "strangers" (Ephesians 2:12 ); and He smarted for it, blessed be His Name! Hebrew. zur, an apostate. See note on Proverbs 5:3 .

smart for it = be sore broken. See Psalms 38:8 ; Psalms 69:20 .

is sure = is secure. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 16

gracious woman. Compare the woman of Folly (Proverbs 9:13 ).

And strong men, &c. Septuagint and Syriac read, "but the diligent".

Verse 17

merciful man = man of lovingkindness, or grace.

his own soul = his own self. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Illustrations: the Kenites (1 Samuel 15:6 . Ecclesiastes 11:1 ); David (1 Samuel 30:11-20 ); Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:7 ; 2 Samuel 21:7 ); Job (Job 42:10 . Compare Proverbs 13:2 ); the Centurion (Luke 7:2-10 ); Cornelius (Acts 10:4 . Compare Proverbs 12:14 ); the Maltese (Acts 28:1-10 ).

troubleth, &c. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:10-12 ); Cornelius (Acts 10:4 . Compare Proverbs 12:14 ); the Maltese (Acts 28:1-10 ).

troubleth, &c. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:10-12 ); Joseph's brethren (Genesis 37:0 and Genesis 42:21 ); Adoni-bezek (Judges 1:6 , Judges 1:7 ); Agag (1 Samuel 15:33 ); Haman (Esther 9:25 ); Jonah (Jonah 4:1-3 ); the miser (Ecclesiastes 4:8 ).

Verse 18

worketh, &c. Pharaoh (Exodus 1:20 . Acts 7:19 ). Caiaphas(John 11:49 , John 11:50 ). Compare Acts 8:1 , Acts 8:4 .

deceitful = lie. Hebrew. sheker. The verb, adjective, and noun are the renderings of eight words in Proverbs: (1) sheker = a lie (Proverbs 11:18 ; Proverbs 20:17 ; Proverbs 31:30 ); (2) ramah = cheating (Proverbs 12:5 , Proverbs 12:17 , Proverbs 12:20 ; Proverbs 14:8 , Proverbs 14:25 ; Proverbs 26:19 , Proverbs 26:24 ); (3) shagah = wander, go astray (Proverbs 20:1 ); (4) kazab = fraud (Proverbs 23:3 ); (5) pathah = delude (Proverbs 24:28 ); (6) nashah (Proverbs 26:26 ); (7) 'ath a r . See note on Proverbs 27:6 ; (8) tok . See note on Proverbs 29:13 .

to him . . . a sure reward. Illustrations: Noah (Genesis 6:22 ; Genesis 6:7 . Hebrews 11:7 ); Abraham (Hebrews 6:15 ); Joseph (Gen 37-41. Compare Psalms 37:4-6 ); Simeon (Luke 2:25-32 .Lamentations 3:25 , Lamentations 3:26 ); Paul (2 Corinthians 1:12 . 2 Timothy 4:7 , 2 Timothy 4:8 ).

Verse 19

As righteousness = Thus righteousness. Hebrew. ken. Septuagint and Syriac read Hebrew. ben, A righteous son.

evil. Hebrew. raa'. App-44 .

Verse 20

abomination. See note on Proverbs 3:32 .

Verse 21

hand join in hand. Illustrations: the Babel builders (Genesis 11:1-9 ); Korah (Numbers 16:0 ); the Canaanite kings (Joshua 9:1 , Joshua 9:2 Adoni-zedek (Joshua 10:0 ); the Confederacy Isaiah 7:1-16 ); the Ten Kingdoms (Revelation 19:0 ).

wicked. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 11:6 , Proverbs 11:23 , Proverbs 11:31 . Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 .

the righteous = righteous ones.

be delivered = escape. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 11:4 , Proverbs 11:6 , Proverbs 11:8 , Proverbs 4:9 . Hebrew. malat = to slip away.

Verse 22

jewel = a nose-jewel, worn by women. See Genesis 24:47 . Isaiah 3:21 .

fair = beautiful.

Verse 23

Illustrated in verses: Proverbs 11:24-31 .

Verse 24

poverty = want. Hebrew. heser. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 25

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

made fat = enriched. Illustrations: widow (1 Kings 17:10 , &c); Shunammite (2 Kings 4:8 , 2 Kings 4:37 ); Publius (Acts 28:7 , Acts 28:8 ). Compare Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:15 .

Verse 26

withholdeth. Different from hoarding it in store as in Egypt (Genesis 41:34-36 ; Genesis 41:53-57 ).

Verse 27

mischief. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 28

trusteth = confldeth. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 29

the wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

fool. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 30

winneth = taketh, or catcheth.

Verse 31

shall be recompensed in the earth. This was the promise for that Dispensation (Psalms 37:0 ), not for this. See 1 Peter 4:18 and App-63 . Rightly divide the Dispensations, and all difficulties are removed.

the sinner = a sinner. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Bibliographical Information
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Proverbs 11". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/proverbs-11.html. 1909-1922.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile