Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 6

Verse 1

My son. See note on Proverbs 1:8 .

if. This word should be supplied at the beginning of each line in Proverbs 6:2 , as well as in Proverbs 6:1 .

friend = neighbour.

stricken thy hand. Idiom for making a contract. Compare Job 17:3 .

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

Verse 2

words = sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah. App-73 .

Verse 3

deliver = rescue.

Verse 5

hand. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac read "snare".

Verse 8

in the summer. True of Eastern ants.

Verse 11

poverty = need. There are six words rendered poor or poverty in Proverbs: (1) rush = in want of necessaries of life (Proverbs 6:11 ; Proverbs 10:4 , Proverbs 10:15 ; Proverbs 13:7 , Proverbs 13:8 , Proverbs 13:18 , Proverbs 13:23 ; Proverbs 14:20 ; Proverbs 17:5 ; Proverbs 18:23 ; Proverbs 19:1 , Proverbs 19:7 , Proverbs 19:22 ; Proverbs 22:2 , Proverbs 22:7 ; Proverbs 24:34 ; Proverbs 28:3 , Proverbs 28:6 , Proverbs 28:19 , Proverbs 28:27 ; Proverbs 29:13 ; Proverbs 30:8 ; Proverbs 31:7 ). (2) dal = impoverished, reduced (Proverbs 10:15 ; Proverbs 14:31 ; Proverbs 19:4 , Proverbs 19:17 ; Proverbs 22:9 , Proverbs 22:16 , Proverbs 22:22 , Proverbs 22:22 ; Proverbs 28:3 , Proverbs 8:11 , Proverbs 8:15 ; Proverbs 29:7 , Proverbs 29:14 ). (3) hes er = in want (Proverbs 11:24 ; Proverbs 21:17 ; Proverbs 28:22 ). (4) 'anah = wretched (Proverbs 14:21 ). (5) 'ebyon = destitute, helpless; deficient in will and wealth (Proverbs 14:31 ). (6) yarash = dispossessed (Proverbs 20:13 ; Proverbs 23:21 ; Proverbs 30:9 ).

as one that travelleth = as a highwayman.

as an armed man = as a man with a shield. Compare Pro 21:33 , Pro 21:34 .

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

Verse 12

naughty person. Hebrew a man of Belial = a worthless person. Like Anglo-Saxon na (= no, or not) and wiht (= a thing) = a thing of naught: i.e. worthless.

wicked. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

froward = perverse. Same word as in Proverbs 4:24 ; Proverbs 11:20 ; Proverbs 17:20 ; Proverbs 22:5 . Not the same as elsewhere in Proverbs.

Verse 14

Frowardness = Deceitfulness. See note on Proverbs 2:12 . The same word as in Proverbs 2:12 , Proverbs 2:14 ; Proverbs 8:13 ; Proverbs 10:31 , Proverbs 10:32 ; Proverbs 16:28 , Proverbs 16:30 . Not the same as elsewhere in Proverbs.

soweth = casteth forth [as seed].

Verse 16

six things. Epitomising verses: Proverbs 6:12-14 ( App-10 ).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Yea, seven. Figure of speech Epanorthosis. App-6 . To imply that the list is not exhausted.

abomination. See note on Proverbs 3:32 .

unto Him = unto His soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 17

A proud look = eyes lifted up. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , put for pride, which is indicated by this act. This is the first, and the others proceed downward; "eyes", "tongue", "hands", "heart", "feet", and then the whole man.

Verse 21

them. This is masculine, and cannot refer to the two, above. Does it refer to the "words" and "sayings" of Proverbs 4:20 ?

Verse 22

it = she: referring to the "commandment" or "law" of Proverbs 6:20 , which are feminine.

sleepest = liest down.

talk = commune. Three, the number of Divine completeness ( App-10 ). Not four (as some suppose) and one "dropped out"!

Verse 23

law is light. Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ), v. torah 'or. In Latin it would be similar: Lex est lux.

reproofs of instruction = what is directed. Compare Proverbs 6:20 .

way of life = way to life: i.e. life eternal. See note on Leviticus 18:5 .

Verse 24

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

strange woman = alien, or foreign woman. Hebrew. nakar. See note on Proverbs 5:3 .

Verse 26

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

Verse 27

Can a man . . . ? Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 .

take = shovel up.

Verse 30

despise. Hebrew. buz (from bazah), is here followed by (-L) = for. Render it therefore: "Men will not think it a trifle (or a light matter) for a thief that he should steal: [even] to satisfy", &c. . . . So if he be found, &c.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 32

But whoso = How much more he who.

understanding. Hebrew = heart: put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding.

Verse 34

a man = a strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 . Here, it is used of the jealous husband.