Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 10

Verse 2

wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

profit nothing. Illustrations: Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:1-4 , 2 Chronicles 12:9 ); Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27 . 2 Kings 21:6 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:31 , Daniel 4:33 ; Belshazzar (Daniel 5:0 ); the Rich FoolLuk 12:20, Luke 12:21 . Compare Luke 16:23 , Luke 16:24 ). Compare Proverbs 11:28 .

righteousness delivereth, &c. Illustrations: Daniel (Proverbs 6:22-30 . Compare Proverbs 13:6 ); Noah (Genesis 7:1 .Hebrews 11:7; Hebrews 11:7 ).

death. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), for the things which lead to death.

Verse 3

will not suffer, &c. Illustrations: Elijah (1 Kings 17:0 ); David (2 Samuel 17:27-29 ).

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

the righteous = a righteous one.

casteth away = repel, &c. Illustrations: Israel (Judges 6:1-4 ); Samaria (1 Kings 18:2 . 2 Kings 6:5 ); Jerusalem (Lamentations 5:10 . Zephaniah 1:18 ); the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 2:8 ).

the wicked = lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

Verse 4

poor = needy. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 ,

slack = deceitful. Asm Proverbs 12:24 .Psalms 52:2 ; Psalms 120:2 , Hosea 7:16 .

Verse 5

gathereth in summer, &c. Illustrations: Isaac (Genesis 18:19 ); Joseph (Genesis 47:12 ); Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15 .Acts 16:1 , Acts 16:2 ).

sleepeth in harvest. Compare Proverbs 24:30-34 .

Verse 6

Blessings: not simply good things, but good things bestowed by another.

head. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for the whole person.

the just = a just one.

violence, &c.: or, the mouth of lawless ones conceal violence.

Verse 7

The memory = What is remembered of him; not what he remembers; see Psalms 146:4 . Illustrations: Elisha (2 Kings 13:21 ); Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:15 , 2 Chronicles 24:16 ); the woman (Mark 14:9 ); Mary (Luke 1:28 , Luke 1:48 ); Dorcas (Acts 9:36 , Acts 9:39 . Compare Proverbs 22:1 ; Antipas (Revelation 2:13 ).

the name, &c. Illustrations: Balaam (2 Peter 2:15 .Jude 1:11 .Revelation 2:14; Revelation 2:14 ); Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:22 ); Athaliah (2 Chronicles 24:7 ); Herod (Acts 12:22 , Acts 12:23 . Compare Psalms 9:16 ).

Verse 8

will receive, &c. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 22:0 , Hebrews 11:8 , Hebrews 11:17 ); David (2 Samuel 7:0 ); widow (1 Kings 17:10-16 ); Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:6-10 . Compare Proverbs 23:22 ).

a prating fool = a fool (Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 ) of lips: lips put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by them. Illustrations: Korah, &c. (Numbers 16:0 ); Diotrephes (3 John 1:9-10 ). Compare 2 Peter 2:10 . Jude 1:13 .

Verse 9

uprightly = in integrity.

Verse 11

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

Verse 12

Hatred stirreth up strifes. Illustrations: Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-14 .Galatians 1:4 , Gal 1:29 ); Jews (Acts 13:50 ; Acts 14:2-4 ; Acts 17:5 , Acts 17:13 ).

love covereth. The opposite action. Compare 1 Corinthians 13:4 . Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 40:15 . Compare Pro 45:5-8 . Proverbs 17:9 ; Proverbs 19:11 ); David (2 Samuel 1:0 ); Paul (Philemon); Christ (Matthew 26:41 .Mark 16:7 . John 20:25-27 ; John 21:15-19 , &c.)

sins. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

Verse 13

lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by them.

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

foolish. Same word as in Proverbs 10:8 .

Verse 15

his strong city. Hebrew city of his strength. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6 .

destruction = that which destroys them. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect).

poor = weak. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

poverty = rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 16

fruit = produce.

the wicked = a lawless one.

sin. Hebrew. chata App-44 .

Verse 17

refuseth. Some codices read "hateth".

erreth = leadeth astray.

Verse 19

wanteth not sin = lacketh not sin. Illustrations: Job ( Pro 32:2 ; Pro 34:5 , Pro 34:12 ; Pro 35:16 ; Pro 42:3 ); Job's friends ( Pro 32:3 ; Pro 42:7 , Pro 42:8 ); the widows (1 Timothy 5:13 ). Of the "Twelve", the one who spake most (Peter) erred most (Matthew 16:22 ; Matthew 26:74 ).

refraineth = restraineth. Illustrations: Eleazar (Genesis 24:21 . Compare Proverbs 4:26 ; Proverbs 15:28 ); Aaron (Leviticus 10:3 ); Saul (1 Samuel 10:27 . Compare Proverbs 11:12 ).

Verse 20

tongue. Put by Fig;. Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it.

Verse 21

feed = shepherd: i.e. instruct. Illustrations: Job (Proverbs 4:3 , Proverbs 4:4 ; Proverbs 29:21 , Proverbs 29:22 ); David (Psalms 78:70-72 ); Peter (Acts 4:1-4 ); Philip (Acts 8:5-8 ); Paul and Barnabas (Acts 11:26 ; Acts 14:22-28 ); Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32 , Acts 15:33 ).

for = through.

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

Verse 22

it = itself: i.e. the uttered blessing, like the "words of the wise".

Verse 23

But. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "But [to exercise] wisdom [is as sport] to a man of understanding".

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

understanding . . . wisdom. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 24

the righteous = righteous ones.

shall be granted. Illustrations: Hannah (1 Samuel 1:20 ); Esther (Proverbs 4:16 ; Proverbs 8:15-17 ); Daniel ( Pro 2:16-23 ); Simeon (Luke 2:25-30 ).

Verse 25

As the whirlwind passeth, &c. Illustrations: Genesis 7:21-23 (compare Matthew 24:37-39 . Luke 17:26 , Luke 17:27 ); Elah (1 Kings 16:7-10 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35-37 ).

an everlasting foundation. Compare Matthew 7:24-27 .

Verse 26

smoke. In Eastern tents and houses, wood or charcoal fires, and no chimneys.

Verse 27

The fear of the LORD. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

prolongeth days = increaseth days; not necessarily in number, but in greater value and importance.

shortened = cut down, or made little, as in Isaiah 50:2 ; Isaiah 59:1 .Micah 2:7 . Numbers 11:23 ; Numbers 21:4 . (discouraged). Judges 10:16 (grieved); Proverbs 16:16 (vexed). Job 21:4 (troubled). Zechariah 11:8 (loathed). Psalms 102:23 , where it refers to affliction, not to continued living.

Verse 28

The hope of the righteous, &c. Illustrations: Abraham (Romans 4:18-20 ); Joseph (Psalms 105:17-21 ); Hezekiah (Psalms 126:0 ); Daniel (Proverbs 6:10 ).

hope. Hebrew. yahal = an unlikely hope.

expectation = confidence. Hebrew. tikvah = a likely hope. Illustrations: Goliath (1 Samuel 17:44 , 1 Samuel 17:51 ); Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1-16 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:23 , 2 Kings 19:37 ; 2 Chronicles 32:21 ); Herod (Matthew 2:16 ).

Verse 29

the upright = an upright one.

destruction = ruin. Illustrations: Saul ( 1Ch 10:13 , 1 Chronicles 10:14 . 1 Chronicles 11:3 ); Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:7-11 .Isaiah 50:11; Isaiah 50:11 ).

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

Verse 30

removed = moved, or shaken.

earth: or land [of promise].

Verse 31

just = righteous, as in verses: Proverbs 10:30 , Proverbs 10:32 .

bringeth forth: i.e. as a plant.

froward. See note on Proverbs 2:12 .

cut out = cut off as unproductive.

Verse 32

frowardness. See note on Proverbs 2:12 . Here plural = great [perverseness].