Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 27

Verse 1

Boast not, &c. Compare James 4:13-16 .

thyself . . . thou. Second person.

thou knowest not. Illustrations: Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:17 . Compare Proverbs 31:2 ); Abner (2 Samuel 3:9 , 2 Samuel 3:10 . Compare Proverbs 3:27 ); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:3-31 . Compare Proverbs 27:11 ); Ahab (1 Kings 22:26 , 1 Kings 22:27 , 1 Kings 22:34-37 ); Haman (Esther 5:12 ; Esther 7:1 , Esther 7:10 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30 , Daniel 4:31-33 ); the rich fool (Luke 12:20 ).

Verse 2

Let another man praise thee. Illustrations: Centurion (Matthew 8:10 ); John (Matthew 11:11 . Joh 5:35 ); Luke (Co Proverbs 1:4 , Proverbs 1:14 . 2 Timothy 4:11 ); Epaphroditus (Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:25 ). No Hebrew for "man", here.

thee . . . thine. Second person.

stranger = one unknown. Hebrew. nakar. See note on Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:10 .

Verse 3

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

them. Should be "they".

Verse 4

envy = jealousy.

Verse 6

Faithful, &c. Illustrations: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:7-13 . Compare Nehemiah 6:2 ); Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:2-11 ).

deceitful. Hebrew. 'athar = effusive (i.e. abundant) and empty (as vapour). See note on Proverbs 11:18 . Compare Matthew 26:49 .

Verse 9

hearty counsel = counsel of the soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 10

thy father's friend. Illustrations: Hiram (1 Kings 5:1 . Compare Proverbs 27:12 ); Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:6 , 2 Samuel 9:7 . Compare Proverbs 21:7 ); Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:6-8 ); Joash (2 Chronicles 24:17 , 2 Chronicles 24:18 ; Compare Proverbs 27:22 ).

better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 .

Verse 11

My son. Marking the Structure (p. 899), as being the Words of the Wise, for Solomon.

Verse 12

are punished = pay the penalty.

Verse 13

stranger = an apostate. Hebrew. zur. See note on Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:3 .

strange = foreign. See note above.

Verse 15

contentious = wrangling.

Verse 16

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

And. Supply the Ellipsis, "And [hideth]", &c.

Verse 18

that waiteth . . . honoured. Illustrations: Deborah (Genesis 35:8 ); Joseph (Genesis 39:2-6 , Genesis 39:22 , Genesis 39:23 ); Elisha (2 Kings 3:11 ); Centurion's servant (Luke 7:8 ); disciples (Luke 12:37 ); soldier (Acts 10:7 ).

Verse 19

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

Verse 20

Hell = Sheol. App-35 .

Verse 21

for . . . for = trieth . . . trieth.

So is, &c. = So doth a man put his praise to the test.

Verse 22

bray = pound, pulverize.

Verse 24

riches. Consisted mainly in flocks and herds.

Verse 26

goats = he goats.

Verse 27

maintenance = life.