Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 27

Verse 2

Lips. All hate affectation and vanity, John v. 51.

Verse 3

Both. He is insupportable to himself and to others, Ecclesiasticus xxii. 17.

Verse 4

And who. Septuagint, "but envy (zeal) beareth nothing." The more we yield to the envious, the more he is offended at our good behaviour.

Verse 5

Love. Which can be of no service to us, while reproof may cause us to amend.

Verse 6

Enemy. Joab slew Amasa, while he kissed him, 2 Kings xx. 9., and Matthew xxvi. 48. True friendship is not attentive to outward appearances.

Verse 8

Place, or vocation, like the prodigal son, Luke xv. The Israelites were much attached to their own country, where they might practise the true religion. (Calmet)

Verse 9

And. Septuagint add, "wine and incense....but accidents tear the soul." (Haydock)

Verse 10

Affliction. He will be less compassionate than a tried friend. --- Better, &c. This daily experience evinces. "Those who purchase land, should consider if there be plenty of water, and a neighbour." (Pliny, [Natural History?] xviii. 5.) --- The Persians honour most those who live nearest to them. (Herodotus i. 134.)

Verse 11

Thou. Hebrew, Complutensian, and Sixtus V, "I may," &c. Septuagint, "and cast reproaches from thee."

Verse 14

In the night. Or "early in the morning," de nocte, as the Hebrew implies. --- Curseth. His importunity will be equally displeasing. (Haydock) --- Flattery is dangerous, (Calmet) and unworthy of a free man. (Cicero, de Amic.)

Verse 16

Hand. As it will flow away, such as woman is commonly incorrigible. (Calmet)

Verse 17

Sharpeneth. Or instructeth. Fungar vice cotis. (Horace, Art.)

Verse 18

Glorified. He who serves his master well shall be promoted.

Verse 19

Are. Hebrew, "to men." Our hearts have all something similar. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "as faces are not like each other, so neither are the hearts of men." They have all come peculiarity. (Haydock) --- But this agrees not with the original.

Verse 20

Destruction. Hebrew abaddo, or abadon, chap. xv. 11., and Apocalypse ix. 11. People die, and are plunged in hell daily. --- Eyes. Avarice and ambition, Ecclesiasticus xiv. 9.

Verse 21

Praiseth. If he be not puffed up, or if all agree in his praises, we may conclude that they are well founded. --- The, &c., is not in Hebrew, Complutensian, St. Jerome, or Chaldean, and destroys the connection.

Verse 22

Mortar. Such were used by those who could not afford handmills. (Calmet)

Verse 23

Flocks. John x. 3., and Ecclesiasticus vii. 24. This may be applied to pastors.

Verse 24

Generation. Thou wilt be cited as an example of prudence, if thou hast forseen the change of thy affairs, and provided for it. In the east it was not unusual to see a general of an army reduced to the meanest condition, and economy is necessary for all.

Verse 26

Field. If thou wishest to purchase, or to pay the workmen.

Verse 27

CHAPTER XXVII.

Milk. We cannot but admire such frugality. Septuagint are rather different; (Calmet) ver. 25., "Be careful of the grass of thy field....that thou mayst have lambs for thy clothing. Honour the field, that there may be lambs for thee. (27) Son, thou hast from me solid instructions for thy life, and for that of thy servants." (Haydock)