Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 11

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 .