Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 23

Verse 1

When = Forasmuch as. Taking the act for granted.

thou. The second person is continued down to Proverbs 23:24 .

Consider = Discern.

what: or, who.

Verse 2

And put = Then thou wilt put.

a man given, &c. Illustrations: Esau (Genesis 25:30 ); Isaac (Genesis 25:28 ; Genesis 27:4 ); those referred to in Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:18 , Philippians 1:19 .

appetite = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 3

dainties = dainty meals.

deceitful meat = meat that deceives. Hebrew. kazah. See note on Proverbs 11:18 .

Verse 4

Labour not, &c. Illustrations: Lot (Genesis 13:10 , Genesis 13:13 ); the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20 . Compare Proverbs 10:16 ). See Jeremiah's advice (Jeremiah 45:5 ).

wisdom. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 23:9 , Proverbs 23:23 .

Verse 5

For. This is the reason why "it is gone".

Verse 7

thinketh, &c. = estimates himself.

heart = soul. Hebrew. nephesh .

Verse 9

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

he will despise. Illustration: Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:1 , 2 Chronicles 25:16 ).

wisdom = intelligence. Hebrew. sekel. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 23:4 , Proverbs 23:23 .

words = sayings. Hebrew. millah = discourse.

Verse 10

old landmark = ancient boundary. Compare Proverbs 22:28 .

fields. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "field" (singular)

fatherless. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), for all bereaved ones.

Verse 11

Redeemer = kinsman-redeemer. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 13:13 .

Verse 13

child = youth.

Verse 14

deliver = rescue.

hell = hades. See App-35 .

Verse 16

reins = kidneys. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for affections and impulses.

Verse 17

sinners. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

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

Verse 18

an end = a hereafter, or latter end.

expectation. Hebrew. tikvah. See note on Proverbs 10:28 .

Verse 19

my son. Note the characteristic of this member (p 891).

Verse 20

winebibbers. Hebrew. yayin ( App-27 .) and saba' = drinkers to excess.

eaters of flesh = selfish eaters.

Verse 21

poverty = dispossession. Hebrew. yarash. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 22

Hearken. This determines the Structure (p. 891).

thy father. Note this mark of "Proverbs FOR Solomon".

Verse 23

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 23:4 , Proverbs 23:8 .

Verse 24

the righteous = a just one.

Verse 26

heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for attention.

observe = delight in.

Verse 27

strange = foreign. Hebrew. nakar. See note on Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:3 . Not the same word as in Proverbs 23:33 .

Verse 28

transgressors = traitors.

Verse 30

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

mixed wine. Hebrew. mimsak. App-27 .

Verse 31

his colour = its sparkle.

Verse 33

strange = apostate. Hebrew. zur. See note on Proverbs 2:16 , Proverbs 5:3 . Not the same word as in Proverbs 23:27 .

Verse 34

midst. Hebrew "heart".

top = basket: i.e. the look-out basket or cradle on the mast.

Verse 35

felt = knew.