lips--or, "words."
25. Let ... before thee--that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder--Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.
27. (Compare [Pr 4:25]). Avoid all by-paths of evil ([De 2:27]; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.
Chapter 5
Pr 5:1-23. A warning against the seductive arts of wicked women, enforced by considering the advantages of chastity, and the miserable end of the wicked
1. This connection of wisdom and understanding is frequent ([Pr 2:2]; ); the first denotes the use of wise means for wise ends; the other, the exercise of a proper discrimination in their discovery.
2. regard--or, "observe."
keep--preserve constantly.
3. (Compare [Pr 2:16]). Her enticing promises are deceitful.
4. her end--literally, "her future," in sense of reward, what follows (compare [Psa 37:37]; ). Its nature is evinced by the use of figures, opposite those of [Pr 5:3]. The physical and moral suffering of the deluded profligate are notoriously terrible.
5. feet ... , steps--that is, course of life ends in death.
6. her ways ... know--Some prefer, "that she may not ponder the path of life," &c.; but perhaps a better sense is, "her ways are varied, so as to prevent your knowledge of her true character, and so of true happiness."
8-9. Avoid the slightest temptation.
10. wealth--literally, "strength," or the result of it.
labours--the fruit of thy painful exertions ([Psa 127:2]). There may be a reference to slavery, a commuted punishment for death due the adulterer ([De 22:22]).
11. at the last--the end, or reward (compare [Pr 5:4]).
mourn--roar in pain.
flesh and ... body--the whole person under incurable disease.
12-14. The ruined sinner vainly laments his neglect of warning and his sad fate in being brought to public disgrace.
15-20. By figures, in which well, cistern, and fountain [Pr 5:15, 18] represent the wife, and rivers of waters [Pr 5:16] the children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful conjugal enjoyments. In [Pr 5:16], fountains (in the plural) rather denote the produce or waters of a spring, literally, "what is from a spring," and corresponds with "rivers of waters."
21. The reason, God's eye is on you,
22-23. and He will cause sin to bring its punishment.
Chapter 6
Pr 6:1-35. After admonitions against suretyship and sloth (compare Pr 6:6-8), the character and fate of the wicked generally are set forth, and the writer (Pr 6:20-35) resumes the warnings against incontinence, pointing out its certain and terrible results. This train of thought seems to intimate the kindred of these vices
1-2. if--The condition extends through both verses.
be surety--art pledged.
stricken ... hand--bargained (compare [Job 17:3]).
with a stranger--that is, for a friend (compare [Pr 11:15]; ).
3. come ... friend--in his power.
humble ... sure thy friend--urge as a suppliant; that is, induce the friend to provide otherwise for his debt, or secure the surety.
4-5. The danger requires promptness.
6-8. The improvident sluggards usually want sureties. Hence, such are advised to industry by the ant's example.
9-10. Their conduct graphically described;
11. and the fruits of their self-indulgence and indolence presented.
as ... travelleth--literally, "one who walks backwards and forwards," that is, a highwayman.
armed man--that is, one prepared to destroy.
12. A naughty person--literally, "A man of Belial," or of worthlessness, that is, for good, and so depraved, or wicked (compare [1Sa 25:25]; , &c.). Idleness and vice are allied. Though indolent in acts, he actively and habitually (walketh) is ill-natured in speech ([Pr 4:24]).
13-14. If, for fear of detection, he does not speak, he uses signs to carry on his intrigues. These signs are still so used in the East.
15. Suddenness aggravates evil (compare [Pr 6:11]; ).
calamity--literally, "a crushing weight."
broken--shivered as a potter's vessel; utterly destroyed ([Psa 2:9]).
16-19. six ... seven--a mode of speaking to arrest attention ([Pr 30:15], ; [Job 5:19]).
20-23. (Compare [Pr 1:8]; , &c.).
24. A specimen of its benefit. By appreciating truth, men are not affected by lying flattery.