Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 24

Verse 1

Be not thou envious = Do not get excited. Compare Proverbs 23:17 .

Verse 2

mischief. Hebrew. 'amal. App-44 . Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:8 and Proverbs 24:16 .

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

chambers = inner chambers.

Verse 5

A wise man, &c. = A strong man [if wise] is strong indeed. Aramaean, Syriac, and Septuagint read "[Better] a wise man than a mighty".

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

increaseth strength. Aram, and Syriac read "than one who is strong".

Verse 6

multitude, &c. But they must all be "counsellors". Compare Proverbs 11:10 with Proverbs 15:22 .

Verse 7

Wisdom. Hebrew, plural = true wisdom. See notes on Proverbs 1:20 ; Proverbs 9:1 ; and Compare Proverbs 14:1 .

is too high = seems to be, or is regarded as coral: i.e. as an ornament costly, and, to him, unattainable. Occurs three times (here, Job 28:18 , and Ezekiel 27:16 ).

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

openeth not his mouth in the gate: i.e. where the judges sit. A fool is not appointed as a judge.

Verse 8

mischievous person = a genius at plots. Hebrew. zimmah = plots. Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:2 and Proverbs 24:16 .

Verse 9

thought, &c. Compare Proverbs 4:23 .Job 1:5 .Jeremiah 4:14 .Matthew 9:3 , Matthew 9:4 ; Matthew 15:19 , Matthew 15:20 .

foolishness = the foolish. Hebrew. 'evil (Proverbs 24:7 ).

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

scorner = scoffer.

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . Same word as in verses: Proverbs 24:12 , Proverbs 24:30 .

Verse 10

If thou faint, &c. Adversity is sent to try our strength; and, if we fail, it is proved to be weakness. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 42:36 ); David (1 Samuel 27:1 ); Elijah (1 Kings 19:3 , 1 Kings 19:4 ); Jonah (Jonah 4:8 ).

Verse 11

If thou forbear. This is counsel for a ruler or judge, and is FOR Solomon. See the Structure (p. 891). Illustrations: Doeg (1 Samuel 22:18 ); Pilate (Luke 23:22-24 ).

deliver = snatch, or rescue.

drawn, &c. = being taken to execution.

Verse 12

knew it not = we knew not of it.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 13

My son. Confirming the Structure (p. 891).

Verse 14

cut off. Compare Proverbs 24:20 with Proverbs 23:18 .

Verse 15

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 . (singular), Proverbs 24:16 (plural)

the righteous = a just one.

Verse 16

just = righteous.

the wicked = lawless ones.

mischief = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. Not the same word as in Proverbs 24:2 and Proverbs 24:8 .

Verse 17

Rejoice not. Illustrations: Tyre (Ezekiel 26:2-6 ); Ammon (Ezekiel 25:6 ); David (2 Samuel 1:11 , 2 Samuel 1:12 ). Compare Psalms 35:13 , Psalms 35:14 ); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1 ); Edom (Obadiah 1:11-14 ).

Verse 18

from him. Supply Ellipsis, "from him [to thee]".

Verse 19

Fret not = Chafe not thyself. Compare Psalms 37:1 , Psalms 37:7 , Psalms 37:8 .

evil men = evil-doers. Compare Psalms 37:1 , Psalms 37:7 , Psalms 37:8 . Same word as in Proverbs 24:8 .

envious = excited.

the wicked = lawless ones.

Verse 20

reward = posterity, or future.

candle = lamp. The idiom is used for having no posterity.

Verse 21

meddle not = mingle not, i.e. have nothing to do with.

them that are given to change = with them that make a difference [between a wicked king and a wicked common man].

Verse 22

their: i.e. the king and a common man.

calamity = overthrow.

ruin = catastrophe.

both: i.e. the two who are the subjects of this counsel.

Verse 23

belong to = are [the words of] the wise (plural) See the Structure, p. 891, and note on Proverbs 22:17 .

Verse 24

the wicked. Unto a wicked [king]: i.e. as well as to an ordinary man.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

people = peoples.

Verse 25

rebuke him: i.e. rebuke a wicked king.

Verse 26

kiss his lips = do homage with his lips to him.

right = straightforward.

Verse 28

deceive. Hebrew. pathah. See note on Proverbs 11:18 .

Verse 29

as = according as.

understanding. Hebrew "heart": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the discernment coming from it. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 32

saw = gazed.

considered it well = set my heart upon it.

Verse 34

poverty = need. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

an armed man = a man with a shield.