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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com


Proverbs Chapter 11

Proverbs 11:1

pro 11:1

(Pro. 11:1-31)

(Compare Margin). The Hebrews used stones for weights.

just--complete in measure.

Proverbs 11:2

pro 11:2

Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare Pro 16:18; Pro 18:12).

Proverbs 11:3

pro 11:3

guide--to lead, as a shepherd (Pro 6:7; Psa 78:52).

perverseness--ill-nature.

destroy--with violence.

Proverbs 11:4

pro 11:4

(Compare Pro 10:2).

wrath--that is, of God.

Proverbs 11:5

pro 11:5

direct--or, "make plain"; wicked ways are not plain (Pro 13:17).

Proverbs 11:6

pro 11:6

deliver them--that is, from evil, which the wicked suffer by their own doings (Pro 5:22; Psa 9:16).

Proverbs 11:7

pro 11:7

expectation . . . perish--for death cuts short all his plans (Luk 16:25).

hope of unjust--better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare Isa 40:29, Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.

Proverbs 11:8

pro 11:8

Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and which he inherits (compare Pro 11:6).

Proverbs 11:9

pro 11:9

(Compare Psa 35:16; Dan 11:32). The just is saved by superior discernment.

Proverbs 11:10

pro 11:10

The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.

Proverbs 11:11

pro 11:11

By the blessing--implying active benevolence.

Proverbs 11:12

pro 11:12

despiseth--or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise.

holdeth his peace--as if neither hearing nor telling.

Proverbs 11:13

pro 11:13

tale-bearer--(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.

Proverbs 11:14

pro 11:14

counsel--the art of governing (Pro 1:5).

counsellors--literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.

Proverbs 11:15

pro 11:15

(Compare Pro 6:1).

suretiship--(Compare Margin), the actors put for the action, which may be lawfully hated.

Proverbs 11:16

pro 11:16

retaineth--or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.

Proverbs 11:17

pro 11:17

merciful--kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Pro 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others.

flesh--that is, his body, by penuriousness (Col 2:23).

Proverbs 11:18

pro 11:18

a deceitful work--or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away (Pro 10:2; Pro 23:5).

sure reward--or, "gain," as from trading (Hos 10:12; Gal 6:8-9).

Proverbs 11:19

pro 11:19

Inference from Pro 11:18 (compare Pro 11:5-6; Pro 10:16).

Proverbs 11:20

pro 11:20

(Compare Pro 11:5).

froward--as in Pro 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright.

in their way--or, "conduct."

Proverbs 11:21

pro 11:21

The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Psa 37:25-26).

Proverbs 11:22

pro 11:22

Jewels were often suspended from the nose (Gen 24:47; Isa 3:21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.

Proverbs 11:23

pro 11:23

(Compare Pro 10:28).

wrath--is that of God.

Proverbs 11:24

pro 11:24

The scope of the whole is a comment on Pro 11:23. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty.

Proverbs 11:25

pro 11:25

liberal soul--(Compare Margin).

made fat--prospers (Pro 28:25; Deu 32:15; Luk 6:38).

watereth . . . watered--a common figure for blessing.

Proverbs 11:26

pro 11:26

Another example of the truth of Pro 11:23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn.

selleth it--that is, at a fair price.

Proverbs 11:27

pro 11:27

good [and] mischief--that is, of others.

procureth . . . seeketh--implying success.

Proverbs 11:28

pro 11:28

(Compare Pro 10:15; Psa 49:6; Ti1 6:17).

righteous . . . branch-- (Psa 1:3; Jer 17:8).

Proverbs 11:29

pro 11:29

troubleth--as Pro 15:27 explains, by greediness for gain (compare Pro 11:17).

inherit . . . wind--Even successful, his gains are of no real value. So the fool, thus acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for others.

Proverbs 11:30

pro 11:30

a tree of life--Blessings to others proceed from the works of the righteous (Pro 3:18).

winneth souls--(Compare Margin) to do them good as opposed to Pro 6:25; Eze 13:18 (compare Luk 5:10).

Proverbs 11:31

pro 11:31

Behold--Thus calling attention to the illustrations (compare Pro 11:23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not excluding future rewards and punishments.


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