of the holy--literally, "holies," persons or things, or both. This knowledge gives right perception.
11. (Compare Pr 3:16-18; 4:).
12. You are mainly concerned in your own conduct.
13. foolish woman--or literally, "woman of folly," specially manifested by such as are described.
clamorous--or, "noisy" ([Pr 7:11]).
knoweth nothing--literally, "knoweth not what," that is, is right and proper.
14. on a seat--literally, "throne," takes a prominent place, impudently and haughtily.
15-16. to allure those who are right-minded, and who are addressed as in [Pr 9:4], as
simple--that is, easily led ([Pr 1:4]) and unsettled, though willing to do right.
17. The language of a proverb, meaning that forbidden delights are sweet and pleasant, as fruits of risk and danger.
18. (Compare [Pr 2:18], 19; 7:27).
Chapter 10
Pr 10:1-32. Here begins the second part of the book, Pr 10:1-22:16, which, with the third, Pr 22:16-25:28, contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit of no analysis. The parallelisms of Pr 10:1-15:33 are mostly antithetic; and those of Pr 16:1-22:16, synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the labor of memorizing
1. wise [and] foolish--as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.
maketh ... father--or, "gladdens a father."
heaviness--or, "grief."
2. Treasures ... nothing--that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare [Pr 4:17]; [Mt 6:19]).
righteousness--especially beneficence ([Psa 112:9]).
death--the greatest of all evils.
3. (Compare [Psa 37:16-20]). The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."
4. slack--literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare [Ho 7:16]).
maketh rich--(compare [Pr 10:22]).
5. son--as [Pr 1:8], , and often.
sleepeth--in indolence, and not for rest.
causeth shame--literally, "is base" (compare [Pr 14:35]; ).
6. Blessings--literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time ([Psa 5:9]; ; [Ro 3:14]), and hence has no praises (compare [Pr 10:11]).
7. blessed--literally, "for a blessing," or praise.
shall rot--literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
8. wise, &c.--(compare [Pr 9:8], [9, 16]), opposed to
prating fool--or, "fool of lips of wicked language."
fall--headlong, suddenly.
9. perverteth his ways--acts deceitfully.
known--discovered and punished.
10. Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one ([Pr 6:13]; [Psa 35:19]), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
11. a well--or, "source" of good to himself and others ([Joh 7:37], ). On last clause, see on [Pr 10:6].
12. strifes--or, "litigations."
covereth--by forgiveness and forbearance.
13. In the lips ... found--hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.
void of understanding--([Pr 6:32]; ).
14. lay up knowledge--that is, as treasures for good use.
mouth ... destruction--or, "as to the mouth," &c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.
15. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" ([1Ti 6:17]), or by the evils of poverty ([Pr 30:9]), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
16. The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.
17. keepeth--observes ([Pr 3:18]; ).
refuseth--or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.