Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 28

Verse 1

The wicked flee, &c. = A lawIess one flees. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:8 ); Joseph's brethren (Genesis 50:15 ); the Jews (Leviticus 26:36 ); Ahab (1 Kings 21:20 ); Herod Antipas (Matthew 14:2 . Compare Proverbs 20:27 ); Felix (Acts 24:25 ). Compare Ephesians 2:13 .

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'.

the righteous = righteous ones.

are bold as a lion. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 32:20 ); the prophet (1 Kings 13:1-10 ); Elijah (1 Kings 18:15 , 1 Kings 18:18 ; 2 Kings 1:15 ); Azariah (2 Chronicles 26:17 , 2 Chronicles 26:18 ); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:11 ); Shadrach, &c. (Daniel 3:0 ); Peter and John (Acts 4:18 , Acts 4:20 ; Acts 5:41 , Acts 5:42 ); Stephen (Acts 7:51-60 ); Paul (Acts 20:22-24 ).

bold = confident. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 2

many: i.e. changes of dynasty in quick succession.

a man of understanding, &c. or a man knowing a discerning [man] when he sees him, &c. Compare Pharaoh and Joseph; or Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel.

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 3

poor = needy. Same root as in verses: Proverbs 28:6 , Proverbs 28:19 , Proverbs 28:27 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 28:3 , Proverbs 28:8 , Proverbs 28:11 , Proverbs 3:15 , Proverbs 3:22 . Hebrew. rush .

man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

the poor = weak ones. Hebrew. dal . See noteon "poverty" in Proverbs 6:11 . Same word as in verses: Proverbs 28:8 , Proverbs 28:11 , Proverbs 28:15 .

Verse 4

praise the wicked = praise a lawless one. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 23:21 ); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6 ); Judah's nobles (Nehemiah 6:19 ); false prophets (Jeremiah 5:30 , Jeremiah 5:31 ); Jews (Acts 12:21-23 ).

contend with them. Illustrations: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:7-11 ; Nehemiah 13:11 ); John (Matthew 14:4 ).

Verse 5

understand not, &c. Illustrations: Israel (Numbers 16:41 ); Ahab (1 Kings 18:17 ); the Lord's enemies (Mark 4:11 , 2 John 1:5; 2 John 1:52 John 1:5 :44 ); Pharisees (Luke 11:42 ; Luke 18:9-14 ; Luke 16:14 ). Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 6

Better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 .

the poor = a poor one.

uprightness = integrity.

Than he . . . ways = Than [he that walketh] in double ways. Hebrew. 'akash. See Proverbs 28:18 . Compare James 1:8 .

ways = double ways. As in Proverbs 28:18 .

Verse 7

wise = intelligent. Hebrew. binah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

shameth . Compare Proverbs 29:15 .

Verse 9

the law = instruction.

Verse 10

the righteous = upright ones.

pit = a slough or clay pit. Hebrew. shehuth.

Verse 11

conceit = eyes.

the poor = a poor one. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 12

righteous = upright ones (pl).

the wicked = lawless ones.

Verse 13

He that covereth, &c. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:12 . See Job 31:33 ); Cain (Genesis 4:9 ); Saul (1 Samuel 15:19-21 ).

sins = transgressions. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

confesseth, &c. Illustrations: David (2 Samuel 12:13 .Psalms 51:3; Psalms 51:3 ); Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12 , 2 Chronicles 33:13 ); Nineveh (Jeremiah 18:7 , Jeremiah 18:8 . Jonah 3:5-10 . Matthew 12:41 ); the lost son (Luke 15:18-24 ).

Verse 14

Happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13 .

that feareth alway, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:9 ; Genesis 42:18 ); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:15 ).

he that hardeneth, &c. Illustrations: Jews (Jeremiah 8:12 ); Gentiles (Romans 2:3-5 ); Herod (Matthew 14:1-10 ).

Verse 15

roaring = growling while devouring his prey, not roaring (as he springs upon it).

Verse 16

oppressor, &c. Supply the Relative Ellipsis , "oppressor [and shall cut short his days]: but", &c, or, it may be the Figure of speech Aposiopesis ; and = [what of him].

Verse 17

the blood of any person = the blood of a soul.

person. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

pit = the grave. Hebrew. bor.

no man = none: i.e. A man oppressed with the guilt of murder (compare Genesis 9:4 , Genesis 9:5 ) will flee to the pit [of destruction]: let none lay hold on him; there is no occasion for it; he is his own tormentor, and will probably be his own executioner, or will deliver himself up to justice.

Verse 18

perverse. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) = "perverse [and walketh in double] ways, shall fall in one". See Proverbs 28:6 .

fall at once: or fall in one of the two.

Verse 19

vain: or vanities.

poverty. Not the same word as Proverbs 28:22 . Hebrew. rush, as in Proverbs 28:3 .

Verse 20

not be innocent = not go unpunished.

Verse 21

persons. Hebrew "faces", put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for persons.

that man = [even] a strong man.

transgress. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

Verse 22

poverty. Not the same word as in Proverbs 28:19 . Hebrew. heser = want.

Verse 23

tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what is spoken by it.

Verse 24

destroyer = a destroying man.

Verse 25

hearts soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

trusts = confidence. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 26

his . . . heart, &c. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for himself. Illustrations: Hazael (2 Kings 8:13 ); . Johanan (Jeremiah 42:7-22 ; Jeremiah 43:1-7 ); Peter (Matthew 26:33 , Matthew 26:74 ); David (2 Samuel 24:2 , Compare Proverbs 28:10 ); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:4 ), Contrast Solomon (1 Kings 3:7-9 ).

fool. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Compare Jeremiah 17:9 .