Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 29

Verse 1

XXIX.

(1) Hardeneth his neck.—And will not bear the “easy yoke” of God. (Comp. Matthew 11:29-30.)

Shall suddenly be destroyed.—Literally, shattered, like a potter’s vessel that cannot be mended (Jeremiah 19:11; Isa. xxx 14).

And that without remedy.—For what more can be done for him, if he has despised God’s warnings? (Comp. Hebrews 6:4, sqq.)

Verse 3

(3) Whoso loveth wisdom . . .—This verse is illustrated by the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:0).

Verse 4

(4) By judgment.—Upright decisions.

He that receiveth gifts.—To pervert justice (Proverbs 15:27).

Verse 6

(6) In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare.—For he knows not how by repentance to escape God’s wrath.

But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.—Being assured of God’s mercy to those who repent, lie rejoices because his conscience is clear, and the “peace of God” (Philippians 4:7) keeps his heart.

Verse 7

(7) The wicked regardeth not to know it.—Literally, understandeth not knowledge; he does not know nor care to know anything about his poorer neighbour’s affairs, so as to be able to help him. He cares as little about him as did Dives about Lazarus, though he saw him each time he went out of his own door.

Verse 8

(8) Scornful men.—See above on Proverbs 1:22.

Bring a city into a snare.—Rather, excite the passions of; literally, fan, as a flame.

Wise men turn away wrath.—By their gentle counsels.

Verse 9

(9) Whether he rage or laugh—i.e., whether the wise man treat him with sternness or good temper, yet “there is no rest,” the fool will not cease from his folly; or, the sense may be, “the fool rages and laughs;” he will not listen quietly to argument, by which he might be brought to wisdom, but is either violent or supercilious.

Verse 10

(10) The bloodthirsty hate the upright.—Or, perfect man. “for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness” (2 Corinthians 6:14); the life of the perfect man is a continual reproach to them.

But the just (or upright) seek his soul—i.e. care for the life of the perfect; their uprightness shows itself in active help-giving.

Verse 11

(11) The fool (khesîl, Proverbs 1:22) uttereth all his mind.—Or, pours out all his wrath; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards, or keepeth it back.

Verse 12

(12) If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.—If a ruler shows that he likes adulation and falsehood rather than unpleasant truths, his attendants will provide him with what he wishes. (Comp. Sir. 10:2.) So Jeremiah complains (Jeremiah 5:31) that prophets, priests, and people were all wilfully deceiving each other.

Verse 13

(13) The poor and the deceitful man (rather, oppressor) meet together.—A variation of Proverbs 22:2, on which see note.

The Lord lighteneth both their eyes.—Enlightens the eyes of both with the light of life (Psalms 13:4). To Him each owes life, so the one may remember that life with its sorrows will have an end, and the other, that He will take stern vengeance for oppression.

Verse 14

(14) His throne shall be established for ever.—Comp. the promise made to Judah (Jeremiah 22:3-4).

Verse 15

(15) A child left to himself.—Allowed to wander unchecked as the wild ass (Job 39:5).

Bringeth his mother to shame.—Whose foolish indulgence has ruined him.

Verse 16

(16) But the righteous shall see their fall with joy (Psalms 54:7), having long expected it (ibid, Psalms 73:18, sqq.).

Verse 18

(18) Where there is no vision.—No revelation of God’s will (Isaiah 1:1), when God teaches none by His Spirit that they may instruct others. So it was in the evil days of Eli (1 Samuel 3:1), and Asa (2 Chronicles 15:3).

The people perish.—Or, run wild. (Comp. Hosea 4:6.)

But he that keepeth the law.—The teaching of those whom God has instructed (Comp. Isaiah 1:10.)

Verse 19

(19) A servant will not be corrected with words.—A slave must be corrected by sterner means; it is only fear of punishment which will move him; “for though he understand, he will not answer,” will not reply to your call, or render obedience to your command. The willing obedience of a son, and the grudging obedience of a slave, are contrasted in Romans 8:15.

Verse 20

(20) There is more hope of a fool (khesîl) than of him.—The fool is a dull, self-satisfied person, but may learn better; the man who is hasty and ill-advised in his words has a harder task before him in governing his tongue. (Comp. James 3:2 sqq.)

Verse 21

(21) Shall have him become his son at the last.—Confidential slaves sometimes rose to be the heirs of their master’s property. (See above on Proverbs 17:2.) But here the warning seems to be rather against spoiling a slave by over-indulgence, lest he at the last forget his position, just as old and petted servants are apt to become somewhat dictatorial.

Verse 22

(22) Aboundeth in transgression.—For what will he not say and do when overcome by anger?

Verse 23

(23) Honour shall uphold the lowly in spirit.—Rather, the lowly in spirit shall lay hold upon honour. (Comp. Proverbs 18:12.)

Verse 24

(24) Hateth his own soul.—See above on Proverbs 1:19.

He heareth cursing.—Rather, the oath or adjuration of the judge that anyone cognisant of the theft shall give information with regard to it. He hears and remains silent, and thus becoming the accomplice of the thief, he shares his punishment.

Verse 25

(25) The fear of man bringeth a snare.—Even, it may be, the loss of eternal life. (Comp. Matthew 10:28; John 12:25.)

Verse 26

(26) Many seek the ruler’s favour.—And to be advanced by him; but his approval is of little value, for “every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord;” it is He who really decides each man’s worth. (Comp. 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 4:5.)