---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 259 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/259/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 259. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/259/"
---

# 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.

## 259. Proverbs · 9 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/259/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/259/#p-N

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

[¶1] 17. merciful--kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare [Pr 24:5]), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others.

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

[¶3] 18. a deceitful work--or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away ([Pr 10:2]; ).

[¶4] sure reward--or, "gain," as from trading ([Ho 10:12]; [Ga 6:8], ).

[¶5] 19. Inference from [Pr 11:18] (compare [Pr 11:5], ; ).

[¶6] 20. (Compare [Pr 11:5]).

[¶7] froward--as in [Pr 2:15], opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright.

[¶8] in their way--or, "conduct."

[¶9] 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], ).

[¶10] 22. Jewels were often suspended from the nose ([Ge 24:47]; [Is 3:21]). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.

[¶11] 23. (Compare [Pr 10:28]).

[¶12] wrath--is that of God.

[¶13] 24-31. The scope of the whole is a comment on [Pr 11:23]. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty.

### Chapter 12

[¶15] [Pr 12:1-28].

[¶16] 1. loveth knowledge--as the fruit of instruction or training ([Pr 1:2]).

[¶17] hateth reproof--([Pr 10:17]).

[¶18] brutish--stupid, regardless of his own welfare ([Psa 49:10]; ).

[¶19] 3. Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.

[¶20] root ... not be moved--firm as a flourishing tree--([Psa 1:3]; ; [Jr 17:8]).

[¶21] 4. A virtuous woman--in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties ([Pr 31:10]).

[¶22] maketh ashamed--that is, by misconduct.

[¶23] rottenness--an incurable evil.

[¶24] 5. thoughts--or, "purposes."

[¶25] are right--literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions.

[¶26] counsels--(Compare [Pr 11:14]).

[¶27] deceit--contrary to truth and honesty.

[¶28] 6. The words--or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.

[¶29] the mouth--or, "words" of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.

[¶30] 7. Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.

[¶31] 8. despised--as opposed to commended ([Pr 11:12]).

[¶32] perverse heart--or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.

[¶33] 9. despised--held in little repute, obscure ([1Sa 18:23]; [Is 3:5]).

[¶34] hath a servant--implying some means of honest living.

[¶35] honoureth himself--is self-conceited.

[¶36] 10. regardeth--literally, "knoweth" ([Psa 1:6]).

[¶37] mercies ... cruel--as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man.

[¶38] 11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle ([Pr 6:32]; ).

[¶39] 12. the wicked ... evil--They love the crafty arts of deception.

[¶40] the root ... fruit--their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets ([Eze 17:22]) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root ... it is firm" ([Pr 17:19]).

[¶41] 13-14. The wicked is snared, &c.--The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.

[¶42] 15. The way ... eyes--The fool is self-conceited (compare [Pr 12:1]; 1:32; 10:17; [Jas 3:17]).

[¶43] 16. prudent ... shame--He is slow to denounce his insulters ([Jas 1:19]).

[¶44] 18. speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly ([Psa 106:33]), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.