---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 265 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/265/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 265. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/265/"
---

# 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.

## 265. Proverbs · 15 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/265/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/265/#p-N

### Chapter 17

[¶1] [Pr 17:1-28].

[¶2] 1. sacrifices--or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare [Pr 7:14]; [Le 2:3]; 7:31).

[¶3] with--literally, "of."

[¶4] strife--its product, or attendant.

[¶5] 2. (Compare [Pr 14:35]).

[¶6] causeth shame--([Pr 10:5]).

[¶7] shall ... inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare [Nu 27:4], ).

[¶8] 3. God only knows, as He tries ([Psa 12:6]; ) the heart.

[¶9] 4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.

[¶10] 5. (Compare [Pr 14:31]).

[¶11] glad at calamities--rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.

[¶12] 6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse ([Pr 13:22]; [Psa 109:13-15]), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.

[¶13] 7. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince ([Pr 16:12], ).

[¶14] 8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence ([Pr 18:16]; ).

[¶15] 9. seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.

[¶16] 10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.

[¶17] 11. Such meet just retribution ([1Ki 2:25]).

[¶18] a cruel messenger--one to inflict it.

[¶19] 12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.

[¶20] 13. (Compare [Psa 7:4]; ).

[¶21] evil--injury to another ([Pr 13:21]).

[¶22] 14. letteth ... water--as a breach in a dam.

[¶23] before ... meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.

[¶24] 15. abomination ... Lord--as reversing His method of acting ([Pr 3:32]; ).

[¶25] 16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth ([Pr 3:16]; ).

[¶26] 17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.

[¶27] 18. (Compare [Pr 6:1-5; 11]:15).

[¶28] in the presence, &c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

[¶29] 19. strife--contention is, and leads to, sin.

[¶30] he that exalteth his gate--gratifies a vain love of costly building.

[¶31] seeketh--or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," [Pr 8:36]).

[¶32] 20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.

[¶33] 21. (Compare [Pr 23:24]). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.

[¶34] 22. (Compare [Pr 14:30]; ). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.

[¶35] medicine--or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."

[¶36] drieth--as if the marrow were exhausted.

[¶37] 23. a gift ... bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.

[¶38] to pervert--that is, by bribery.

[¶39] 24. Wisdom ... him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.

[¶40] 25. a grief--or cross, vexation (compare [Pr 17:21]; ).

[¶41] 26. Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.

[¶42] 27-28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.

### Chapter 18

[¶44] [Pr 18:1-24].