Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 22

Verse 1

name. Note the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), and supply "good" from Ecclesiastes 7:1 .

Verse 2

poor = needy. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 . Same word as in Proverbs 22:7 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 22:9 , Proverbs 22:16 , Proverbs 22:22 .

Verse 3

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

simple. See note on Proverbs 1:4 .

are punished = suffer for it, or pay the penalty.

Verse 4

By humility, &c. = The reward of humility [that is] the fear of the Jehovah, will be, &c.

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

life: i.e. resurrection and eternal life. See note on Leviticus 18:5 ; not necessarily long life on earth.

Verse 5

and. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read this "and" in the text.

froward = perverse. See note on Proverbs 2:12 , Proverbs 2:15 ; Proverbs 3:32 . Illustrations: Israel (Judges 2:2 , Judges 2:3 .Joshua 23:12 , Joshua 23:13 ; contrast with Joshua 21:43-45 ; Joshua 24:31 ); Ahab (1 Kings 17:1 ; 1Ki 18:5 ; 1 Kings 21:4 , 1 Kings 21:20 ; 1 Kings 22:6 , 1 Kings 22:37 ).

Verse 6

Train up = Hedge in: i.e. straiten him in, as cattle are guided.

in the way he should go = concerning his way. Hebrew at the mouth of his way: "mouth" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the opening or beginning of his way. C H. Spurgeon applied it to "the way you wish you had gone yourself"!

Verse 7

The rich = a rich one.

the poor = poor ones.

is servant, &c. Illustrations: the widow (2 Kings 4:1 ); the Jews (Nehemiah 5:3 , Nehemiah 5:5 ).

Verse 8

iniquity = trickery. Hebrew. 'aval. App-44 . Illustration: Rebekah (Genesis 27:6-17 , Genesis 27:41-46 ).

shall fail. Illustrations: Balak (Numbers 24:10 ); Solomon (1 Kings 11:14 , 1 Kings 11:23 , and 1 Kings 11:31 , 1 Kings 11:40 ); Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:9-17 ); Sennacherib (2 Chronicles 32:21 .Isaiah 30:31; Isaiah 30:31 ); Haman (Esther 5:11-13 ; Esther 7:10 ).

Verse 9

the poor = a weak one. Hebrew. dal. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 22:16 , Proverbs 22:22 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 22:2 , Proverbs 22:7 . See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 10

scorner = scoffer.

shall go out. Illustration: Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-12 . Compare Galatians 1:4 , Gal 1:29 ).

Verse 11

He that, &c. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Jehovah".

pureness of heart = one pure of heart.

Verse 12

preserve = guard.

words: or affairs. Hebrew. dabar. App-73 .

transgressor = traitor. Hebrew. bagad. Illustrations: Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:14 ); Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14-16 ); Ezra's opponents (Ezra 3:3 , Ezra 3:13 . Compare Proverbs 5 and Proverbs 6:0 ); the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34 ).

Verse 13

streets = open places.

Verse 14

strange = apostate. Hebrew. zur. S ee notes on Proverbs 2:16 with Proverbs 5:3 .

Verse 15

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

Verse 17

words of the wise. See the Structure of the whole book (p. 864). Referring to the wise men by whom Solomon was surrounded, such as Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol (1 Kings 4:31 ).

thine. Note the continuation of the second person, "the words of the wise" being addressed to Solomon.

heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for thoughts and powers.

my. Note the writer's personality as being other than Solomon.

knowledge = teaching.

Verse 19

trust = confidence. Hebrew. batah . See App-69 .

be = come to be.

thee. Note the emphasis on the second person.

Verse 20

to thee = for thee. See the Structure (p. 891).

excellent things. Hebrew margin reads "formerly", or "before".

In = With.

Verse 21

words = sayings, or utterances. Hebrew. 'imrah. See App-73 .

send unto = inquire of. Illustration: the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:0 ).

Verse 22

the afflicted = a wretched one. Hebrew. 'ani. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 24

an angry man = a lord, or master, of anger.

Verse 27

he: i.e. the usurer.

Verse 28

ancient = age-long.

landmark = boundary stone.

Verse 29

Seest thou . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

mean = mean ones: i.e. men who are obscure.