Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 29

Verse 1

often reproved, &c. Illustrations: Antediluvians (Genesis 6:0 , 1 Peter 3:20 . 2 Peter 2:5 .Luke 17:26 , Luke 17:27 ): Pharaoh (Exodus 7:13 , Exodus 7:14 ; Exodus 8:15 ; Exodus 10:1 , Exodus 10:20 , Exodus 10:27 ).

Verse 2

the righteous = righteous ones.

in authority = increase, not necessarily in numbers, but in greatness. Compare Proverbs 29:16 , and see note on Proverbs 4:10 , and the next clause.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

beareth rule. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read the plural here: "bear rule".

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

he = a man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

receiveth gifts = is open to bribes.

Verse 5

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

Spreadeth a net, &c. Illustrations: woman of Tekoah (2 Samuel 14:3 , 2 Samuel 14:19 , 2 Samuel 14:20 , 2 Samuel 14:28 , 2 Samuel 14:29 ); spies (Luke 20:21 ).

feet = footsteps.

Verse 6

the righteous = a righteous one.

Verse 7

considereth. Hebrew "knoweth", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the result of knowing. Illustrations: Job (Job 29:13-16 . Compare Psalms 37:26 ; Psalms 112:5 . Pro 29:31 , Proverbs 29:20 ); Josiah (Jeremiah 22:16 ).

the poor = weak ones. Hebrew. dal. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .

regardeth not to know it: i.e. makes no attempt to know it; or, knowing it, does not consider it. Illustrations: Jews (Jeremiah 5:28 . Compare Luke 10:31 , Luke 10:32 ).

Verse 8

Scornful men = Scoffers. Hebrew "men of scorning".

bring a city, &c. Illustrations: Judah (2 Chronicles 36:16-21 ); rulers (Isaiah 28:14-22 ; and Matthew 27:39-43 ).

turn away wrath. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 32:10-14 ) and Aaron (Numbers 16:48 ); Elijah (James 5:18 ). Contrast Sodom (Genesis 18:32 ); and Jeremiah 5:1 .Ezekiel 22:30 .

Verse 9

foolish. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 29:11 , Proverbs 29:20 .

Verse 10

The bloodthirsty = men of bloods. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

hate the upright. Illustrations: Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:7 ); Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4 ; 1 Kings 19:2 ); Jews (Acts 23:12 ); Cain (Genesis 4:8 . Compare 1 John 3:12 ).

the upright = upright ones.

the just = an honest one.

seek his soul: i.e. to preserve it. Illustrations: Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:2 ); Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4 ); believers (Acts 12:5 ); Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:4 ).

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

Verse 11

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

mind = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the feeling manifested by it.

keepeth it. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 22:0 ); Joseph ( Pro 42:7 ; Pro 44:18-34 ); Moses (Exodus 3:10 . Compare Proverbs 4:18 ); Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-6 , 2 Samuel 12:7-13 ).

Verse 13

The poor = a needy man. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

the deceitful = a crafty, or an oppressive man, especially a creditor or usurer. Occurs in plural only here, for emphasis. Compare Psalms 10:7 ("fraud"); Pro 55:11 , and Pro 72:14 ("deceit"). Hebrew. tok. See note on Proverbs 11:18 .

meet together: i.e. unexpectedly; first occurrence Genesis 32:17 . Compare Pro 33:8 .

Verse 14

the poor = weak ones.

Verse 16

the wicked = wicked ones.

multiplied = increased in authority or position. Not necessarily in number. Compare Proverbs 29:2 , and see note on Proverbs 4:10 .

transgression. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

see their fall = see into (the symptoms and causes of) their fall: i.e. fall caused by external circumstances.

Verse 18

no vision, &c. Illustration: Israel ( 1Sa 3:1 . 1 Kings 12:28-32 ; 1 Kings 14:14-16 ).

the = a.

happy, &c. See note on Proverbs 3:13 . Illustrations: Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:0 ); Josiah( Pro 34:33 ; Pro 35:18 . Jeremiah 22:16 ).

Verse 20

Seest thou, &c? Note Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

Verse 21

child = youth.

become. Some render "aspire to be"; others = become [insolent] like a son.

son = offspring.

Verse 22

furious man = a master or lord of wrath. Hebrew. ba'al = lord.

Verse 23

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

shall bring him low. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:5 , Genesis 3:6 ); Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:16-18 ); angels (2 Peter 2:4 .Jude 1:7; Jude 1:7 ).

uphold the humble. Illustrations: Solomon (1 Kings 3:7 , 1 Kings 3:9 ); John (John 1:26 , John 1:27 ; John 3:29 , John 3:31 ); Mary (Luke 1:38 ); angels (Isaiah 6:2 ).

the humble = a humble one.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 25

The fear of man. Refers to the inward feeling of timidity. See note on "fear", 2 Timothy 1:7 .

The fear . . . a snare. One of the two great snares. The other is "the praise of man": (John 12:43 . Compare Romans 2:29 . John 5:44 ). Illustrations: parents (John 9:22 ); rulers (John 12:42 ); Nicodemus (John 3:2 ; John 7:50 . Contrast Pro 19:39 ); Joseph (John 19:38 ); David (1 Samuel 16:12 , 1 Samuel 16:13 ; 1 Samuel 27:1 ); Elijah (1 Kings 19:3 , &c.); Peter (Matthew 26:69-74 ).

putteth his trust = confideth. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

safe = set on high.

Verse 27

the just = just ones

the wicked = a lawless one.