Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Proverbs 17

The Book of Proverbs

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

CHAPTER 17

      1. sacrifices--or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pro 7:14 Lev 2:3 7:31 ).
      with--literally, "of."
      strife--its product, or attendant.

      2. (Compare Pro 14:35 ).
      causeth shame-- ( Pro 10:5 ).
      shall. . . inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Num 27:4, 7 ).

      3. God only knows, as He tries ( Psa 12:6 66:10 ) the heart.

      4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.

      5. (Compare Pro 14:31 ).
      glad at calamities--rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.

      6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse ( Pro 13:22 Psa 109:13-15 ), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.

      7. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince ( Pro 16:12, 13 ).

      8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence ( Pro 18:16 19:6 ).

      9. seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.

      10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.

      11. Such meet just retribution ( 1Ki 2:25 ).
      a cruel messenger--one to inflict it.

      12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.

      13. (Compare Psa 7:4 35:12 ).
      evil--injury to another ( Pro 13:21 ).

      14. letteth. . . water--as a breach in a dam.
      before. . . meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.

      15. abomination. . . Lord--as reversing His method of acting ( Pro 3:32 12:2 ).

      16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth ( Pro 3:16 14:24 ).

      17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.

      18. (Compare Pro 6:1-5 11:15 ).
      in the presence, &c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

      19. strife--contention is, and leads to, sin.
      he that exalteth his gate--gratifies a vain love of costly building.
      seeketh--or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pro 8:36 ).

      20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.

      21. (Compare Pro 23:24 ). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.

      22. (Compare Pro 14:30 15:13 ). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
      medicine--or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
      drieth--as if the marrow were exhausted.

      23. a gift. . . bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
      to pervert--that is, by bribery.

      24. Wisdom. . . him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.

      25. a grief--or cross, vexation (compare Pro 17:21 10:1 ).

      26. Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.

      27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.