---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 253 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/253/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 253. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/253/"
---

# Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

*Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown*

The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation.

## 253. Proverbs · 3 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/253/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/253/#p-N

[¶0] 21. sound wisdom--(compare [Pr 2:7]).

[¶1] let ... eyes--that is, these words of instruction.

[¶2] 22-24. assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.

[¶3] 25. Be not--or, "You shall not be."

[¶4] sudden fear--what causes it ([Pr 1:27]), any unlooked-for evil ([Psa 46:3]; ; [1Pe 3:14]).

[¶5] desolation--([Pr 1:27]).

[¶6] 26. The reason; such as are objects of God's favor.

[¶7] be thy confidence--literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare [Na 3:9], for the same construction, Hebrew).

[¶8] 27-28. Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare [Jas 2:15], ).

[¶9] 29-30. Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.

[¶10] 31. oppressor--or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot ([Psa 37:1], 2, 35, 36).

[¶11] 32-35. Reasons for the warning.

[¶12] froward--([Pr 2:15]).

[¶13] secret ... righteous--in their communion ([Am 3:7]).

### Chapter 4

### Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness

[¶16] 1-2. (Compare [Pr 1:8]).

[¶17] to know--in order to know.

[¶18] doctrine--the matter of learning ([Pr 1:5]), such as he had received ([La 3:1]).

[¶19] 3. father's son--emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare [1Ch 22:7]; ); an idea further expressed by

[¶20] only beloved--or, "as an only son" ([Ge 22:2]), though he had brothers (see on [1Ch 3:5]).

[¶21] 4. He taught--or directed me.

[¶22] retain--as well as receive.

[¶23] keep ... and live--observe, that you may live ([Pr 7:2]).

[¶24] 5. Get--as a possession not to be given up.

[¶25] neither decline--that is, from obeying my word.

[¶26] 6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.

[¶27] 7. (Compare [Job 28:28]).

[¶28] getting--or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.

[¶29] 8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.

[¶30] embrace her--with fond affection.

[¶31] 9. ornament--such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.

[¶32] deliver--(Compare [Ge 14:20]). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare [Pr 4:6]).

[¶33] 10. (Compare [Pr 2:1]; ).

[¶34] 11-12. way of wisdom--which it prescribes.

[¶35] led thee--literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path ([Psa 107:7]).

[¶36] not be straitened--have ample room ([Psa 18:36]).

[¶37] 13. (Compare [Pr 3:18]). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.

[¶38] 14. (Compare [Psa 1:1]). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.

[¶39] 16-17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted ([Pr 6:4]; [Psa 36:5]). They live by flagrant vices ([Pr 1:13]). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare [Job 15:16]; ).

[¶40] 18-19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.

[¶41] 20-22. (Compare [Pr 4:10], ; [Pr 3:8], &c.).

[¶42] 23. with all diligence--or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare [Eze 38:7]), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character ([Mt 12:35]; ).

[¶43] 24. a froward mouth--that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used ([Pr 2:15]; 3:32).

[¶44] perverse--or, "quarreling."