Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 16

Verse 1

preparations = arrangements or plans. The Ellipsis ( App-6 ) of the verb in the first clause must be supplied (as it is in the second clause): "To man [pertain] the plans of his heart; but from Jehovah [comes] the final decree. "Compare Proverbs 16:9 . May be well rendered "the last word" (Compare Proverbs 16:4 ). See App-74 . Illustrations: Balaam (Numbers 23:11 , Numbers 23:12 ; Numbers 24:10-13 .Joshua 24:9 , Joshua 24:10 . Nehemiah 13:2 ). Compare Jeremiah 10:23 .

man = man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

answer. Hebrew. ma'aneh, from 'anah, which is a word of wide meaning. The noun occurs only eight times (Job 32:3 , Job 32:5 .Job 15:1 , Job 15:23 ; Job 16:1 , Job 16:4 ; Job 20:19 . Micah 3:7 ).

tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is said by it. The silent and secret plans of man's heart are contrasted with the disclosures of the tongue, which come from Jehovah. See note on "Himself", Proverbs 16:4 .

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

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

clean = pure

own eyes. Compare Proverbs 12:15 Proverbs 12:15 ; Proverbs 14:12 ; Proverbs 16:25 ; Proverbs 21:2 . Conscience is no safe guide, for it depends on what a man believes. Illustrations: Hazael (2 Kings 8:13 ); Jehu (2 Kings 10:16 , 2 Kings 10:31 ); the Pharisee (Luke 18:11-14 ); Paul (Acts 26:9 ; Compare Proverbs 9:4 . 1 Timothy 1:13 and Romans 7:9 ).

weigheth. With moral and spiritual weights.

the spirits = spirits (no Art.) Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 3

thoughts = plans. Compare Proverbs 16:1 .

shall be established. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30 ; Genesis 46:1-4 ); Ruth (Ruth 2:12 ); David (1 Samuel 17:45 ; 1 Samuel 30:8-19 . 2 Samuel 5:19-25 ); Ezra (Ezra 8:21-23 , Ezra 8:31 , Ezra 8:32 ). Esther (Esther 4:14-17 ; Esther 8:15-17 ); Daniel (Daniel 6:10 . Psalms 37:4-6 ).

Verse 4

Himself. Same word as "answer" (Proverbs 16:1 ) = His decree, or His own end. See note on Proverbs 16:1 .

the wicked =. a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

evil. Hebrew. raa'. App-44 .

Verse 5

abomination, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:32 .

hand . . . hand. Easterns walk thus: Westerns walk arm in arm.

un-punished = acquitted, or held innocent.

Verse 6

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

purged = covered: i.e. by a propitiatory covering.

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

Verse 8

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 .

Verse 9

deviseth his way. See notes on Proverbs 16:1 .

directeth his steps. Illustrations: Joseph's brethren (Genesis 37:18-28 , and Pro 45:5 ); Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:5 ); Saul (1 Samuel 9:3 , 1Sa 9:15 , 1 Samuel 9:16 ; 1 Samuel 23:26 ; 1Sa 23:-28 ); Jesse (1 Samuel 16:8-11 ; 1 Samuel 17:23 , 1 Samuel 17:53 ); Syrians (2 Kings 5:2 ); woman (John 4:7 ); Saul (Acts 9:1 , &c.); Philemon.

Verse 10

A divine sentence = an oracle.

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

transgresseth not: or, will not be unfaithful.

Verse 11

work = something made: i.e. His ordinance. Leviticus 19:36 . Compare Proverbs 11:1 . The shekel was the shekel "of the sanctuary".

Verse 12

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

Verse 13

kings. Some codices, with Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "a king".

they love, &c, or, kings love the words of uprightness.

Verse 14

messengers, &c. Illustrations: Benaiah (1 Kings 2:25 ); Haman (Esther 7:8-10 ).

pacify it = get it covered.

Verse 15

cloud = heavy cloud, &c. Specially valuable, falling just before harvest.

Verse 16

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

understanding. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 17

the upright = upright ones.

keepeth = guardeth.

Verse 18

Pride goeth, &c. Illustrations: Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18-23 ); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:3 , 1 Kings 20:11 , 1 Kings 20:32 ); Babylon (Isaiah 47:10 , Isaiah 47:11 ); Azariah (Jeremiah 43:2-11 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30 , Daniel 4:31 .Psalms 49:11 , Psalms 49:12 ); Edom (Obadiah 1:3-4 ); Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:21-23 ).

Verse 19

lowly = wretched. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 20

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

happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13 .

Verse 21

heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding or discernment.

Verse 22

Understanding. Hebrew. sekel See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

fools . . . folly. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 23

teacheth = maketh wise. Illustrations: Eleazar (Genesis 24:34-49 ); Jacob ( Pro 47:9 ); Peter (Acts 3:12 , &c; Proverbs 4:19 , &c); Paul (Acts 13:16-41 ; Acts 14:17 , Acts 17:28 ; Acts 17:17 ; Acts 24:25 ; Acts 26:2-27 . Phm. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 ).

Verse 24

words = sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah. App-73 .

health = healing. Compare Proverbs 6:8 .

bones. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for whole body.

Verse 26

He that laboureth = the soul of him who laboureth. Hebrew. nephesh.

mouth = appetite.

craveth it of him = urgeth him on.

Verse 27

An ungodly man = A man of Belial.

Verse 28

soweth = sendeth forth. Illustrations: Princes of Ammon (2 Samuel 10:3 ); Ziba (2 Samuel 16:3 ); Chaldeans (Daniel 3:8-13 ); Herodias (Mark 6:19 ).

Verse 31

hoary head, &c. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 47:9 ; Genesis 48:1 , &c.); Samuel (1 Samuel 12:2-4 ; 1 Samuel 25:1 ); Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:32 , 2 Samuel 19:37 ); Elisha (2 Kings 13:14 ); Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:15 , 2 Chronicles 24:16 ).

Verse 32

the mighty = a mighty one.

than he that taketh a city. Illustration: Je-hoshaphat (1 Kings 22:3 , 1 Kings 22:4 . Even if the city had been taken, which it was not).

Verse 33

lot = stone. See next note.

lap = bosom (Proverbs 17:23 ; Proverbs 21:14 ). The reference is to the bag of the ephod, in which were the two stones by which Jehovah gave true judgment or decision. See notes on Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 . Illustrations: Haman (Esther 3:7 ); Jonah (Jonah 1:7 ); apostles (Acts 1:15-20 ).

the whole disposing = its every decision.

disposing = judgment. Hebrew. mishpat, as in Numbers 27:21 .