Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 15

Verse 1

turneth away wrath. Illustrations: Aaron (Leviticus 10:16-20 ); Reubenites (Joshua 22:15-34 ); Gideon (Judges 8:1-3 .Judges 15:18; Judges 15:18 ); Hannah (1 Samuel 1:15 , 1 Samuel 1:17 ); Abigail (1 Samuel 25:23 , &c).

grievous = bitter, cutting, violent, &c. Illustrations: the Ephraimites (Judges 12:1-4 ); men of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 19:41-43 . 2Sa 30:33 ); Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:30-34 ); Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:13-16 . 2 Chronicles 26:21 ); Eliphaz (Job 22:5 , &c.); Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39 ).

Verse 2

the wise, &c. = wise ones will use.

Verse 3

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

in every place. Note the different places in the illustrations following:

Beholding = taking note, or observing. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:8 , Genesis 3:9 ); Hagar (Genesis 16:7 , Genesis 16:13 ); Ethiopian (Acts 8:29 ); Abraham (Genesis 22:11 , Genesis 22:15-18 ); Jacob (Genesis 28:11-16 ; Genesis 46:1-4 ); Joseph (Genesis 39:21 ); Achan (Joshua 7:10-18 ); Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1-3 , 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 ); David (Psalms 139:7-13 ); Asa (2 Chronicles 14:11 , 2 Chronicles 14:12 ); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 18:31 ); Ahab (1 Kings 22:34 , 1 Kings 22:35 ); Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:5 , 2 Kings 20:13-18 ); Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12 , 2 Chronicles 33:13 ); Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:22 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:29 , Daniel 4:32 ); Belshazzar (Daniel 5:5 ); Jonah (Jonah 2:10 ); Nathanael (John 1:48 ); Stephen (Acts 7:55 ); Peter (Acts 10:9-16 ); Herod (Acts 12:23 ); Lydia (Acts 16:13 , Acts 16:14 ); Paul (Acts 27:23 , Acts 27:24 ; 2 Timothy 4:17 ); the wedding guests (Matthew 22:11-13 . 1 Corinthians 11:28 ).

the evil = evil ones. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

the good = good ones.

Verse 4

A wholesome tongue = Gentleness of tongue.

tree of life. See Genesis 2:9 ; Genesis 3:22 , Genesis 3:24 . Compare Proverbs 3:18 . Ezekiel 27:12 .Revelation 22:2 , and notes there.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 5

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

prudent. Septuagint adds: "In abounding righteousness is great strength, but the ungodly will perish root and branch. "

Verse 6

the righteous = a righteous one.

treasure. Hebrew "strength", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the treasures procured by it.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 . In Proverbs 15:8 it is plural. Not the same word as in Proverbs 15:26 .

Verse 7

foolish. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 8

the wicked = lawless ones.

is an abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32 . Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:5 .Hebrews 11:4; Hebrews 11:4 ); Saul (1 Samuel 15:22 , 1 Samuel 15:23 ); Jews (Isaiah 1:11-15 ; Isaiah 66:3 ).

the upright = upright ones.

Verse 10

is grievous, &c. Illustrations: Asa (2 Chronicles 16:10 ); Jews (John 7:7 ; John 8:23 , John 8:40 ).

Verse 11

Hell = the grave. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35 .

children = sons.

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 12

loveth not, &c. Illustrations: Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:7 . 2 Chronicles 17:4 ); the Jews (Amos 5:10 ); Pharisees (Luke 7:30 ); compare Matthew 3:7 . Matthew 12:1 ).

Verse 13

merry = joyful, or glad.

Verse 14

understanding. Hebrew. binah (Proverbs 1:2 ). Same word as in Proverbs 15:21 , but not in Proverbs 15:32 .

seeketh knowledge. Illustrations: Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-10 . 1 Kings 19:8 ); Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:0 . Matthew 12:42 ); Mary (Luke 10:39 ); Nicodemus (John 3:1 , John 3:2 ); the Ethiopian (Acts 8:28 ); the Bereans (Acts 17:11 ).

Verse 15

afflicted. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .

evil = sad. Same word as in Proverbs 15:3 .

merry = good.

Verse 16

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 . Illustrations: the shepherds (Luke 2:20 . Compare Matthew 2:3 ); Paul in prison (Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:11 , Philippians 1:13 , Philippians 1:18 ; 1 Timothy 6:6 ). Contrast Ahab in palace (1 Kings 21:4 ). Jehovah is a substitute for every good thing, but nothing is a substitute for Him.

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

Verse 18

strife = contention, or discord.

Verse 19

the righteous = upright ones.

made plain = a raised road. Illustration: Eleazar (Genesis 24:12 , Genesis 24:26 , Genesis 24:27 , Genesis 24:52 .Psalms 37:23; Psalms 37:23 ).

Verse 21

wisdom. Hebrew. leb = "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the knowledge it should possess. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 22

counsellors. But they must be "counsellors".

they are. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac read "counsel is".

Verse 23

in due season = in its season.

Verse 24

above = upward.

the wise = a skilful one. Hebrew. sakal. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 25

border = landmark. Note the contrast with "house".

Verse 26

the wicked = an evil-doer. Hebrew. ra'a same word as "evil" in Proverbs 15:3 .

Verse 27

gifts = bribes. Compare Proverbs 18:1 ; Proverbs 20:21 .

Verse 28

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

Verse 29

the righteous = righteous ones.

Verse 31

of = tending or leading to. Genitive of Relation. See App-17 (5).

Verse 32

instruction = correction, or discipline. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Illustrations: Dathan (Numbers 16:12-14 , Numbers 16:31-33 ); Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36:12 ; Jeremiah 39:1-7 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:27-33 ); Belshazzar (Daniel 5:22-30 ); Jews (Matthew 23:34-38 ).

getteth understanding = possesseth a heart. "Heart" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for "sense". Illustrations: Job's friends (Job 42:7-9 ); the woman (John 4:17 , &c.); two disciples (Luke 24:25-32 ); Paul (Acts 9:6-22 ).

Verse 33

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

before honour, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 41:16 , Genesis 41:39 , Genesis 41:40 . Genesis 22:4 ); Gideon (Judges 6:15 ); Hananiah (Nehemiah 7:2 ); Daniel (Daniel 2:30-48 ); Centurion (Matthew 8:8 , Matthew 8:10 ); Ephraim (Hosea 13:1 ); John Baptist (John 1:15 , John 1:30 ; John 3:30 ).