---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 268 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/268/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 268. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/268/"
---

# 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.

## 268. Proverbs · 18 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/268/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/268/#p-N

[¶0] 7. The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children ([Pr 4:26]; [Psa 112:1], 2).

[¶1] 8. As in [Pr 14:35]; , , this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.

[¶2] 9. The interrogation in the affirmative strengthens the implied negation (compare [Job 15:14]; [Ec 7:20]).

[¶3] 10. Various measures, implying that some are wrong (compare [Pr 11:1]; ).

[¶4] 11. The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare [Mt 7:16]).

[¶5] 12. Hence, of course, God will know all you do ([Psa 94:9]).

[¶6] 13. Activity and diligence contrasted with sloth ([Pr 6:9]; ).

[¶7] lest ... poverty--literally, "be deprived of inheritance."

[¶8] 14. when ... his way--implying that he goes about boasting of his bargains.

[¶9] 15. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare [Pr 3:14-16]).

[¶10] 16. Take his garment--implies severe exaction, justified by the surety's rashness.

[¶11] a strange woman--by some readings "strangers," but the former here, and in [Pr 27:13], is allowable, and strengthens the sense. The debauchee is less reliable than the merely careless.

[¶12] 17. Bread ... sweet--either as unlawfully ([Pr 9:17]) or easily obtained.

[¶13] mouth ... gravel--well expresses the pain and grief given at last.

[¶14] 18. (Compare [Pr 15:22]). Be careful and considerate in important plans.

[¶15] 19. Those who love to tell news will hardly keep secrets.

[¶16] flattereth ... lips--(compare Margin; [Pr 1:10]).

[¶17] meddle ... him--literally, "join," or "associate with."

[¶18] 20. his lamp--(Compare [Pr 13:9]; ).

[¶19] 21. gotten hastily--contrary to God's providence ([Pr 28:20]), implying its unjust or easy attainment; hence the man is punished, or spends freely what he got easily (compare [Pr 20:17]).

[¶20] 22. (Compare [Psa 27:14]; [Ro 12:17-19]).

[¶21] 23. (Compare [Pr 20:10]; ).

[¶22] 24. Man's goings--literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man."

[¶23] a man--any common man.

[¶24] understand--or, "perceive."

[¶25] 25. devoureth ... holy--or, better, "who rashly speaks promises," or "devotes what is holy," consecrating any thing. This suits better the last clause, which expresses a similar view of the results of rashly vowing.

[¶26] 26. (Compare [Pr 20:8]).

[¶27] bringeth ... over them--The wheel was used for threshing grain. The figure denotes severity (compare [Am 1:3]).

[¶28] 27. The spirit ... Lord--Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare [Pr 20:5]; [Pr 18:8], ; [1Co 2:11]).

[¶29] 28. (Compare [Pr 3:3]; , ).

[¶30] 29. The glory of young men ... the beauty of old men--Each age has its peculiar excellence ([Pr 16:31]).

[¶31] 30. blueness--literally, "joining," the process of uniting the edges of a wound throws off purulent matter.

[¶32] stripes ... belly--So punishment provides healing of soul ([Pr 18:8]), by deterring from evil courses.

### Chapter 21

[¶34] [Pr 21:1-31].

[¶35] 1. rivers--irrigating channels ([Psa 1:3]), whose course was easily turned (compare [De 11:10]). God disposes even kings as He pleases ([Pr 16:9]; [Psa 33:15]).

[¶36] 2. (Compare [Pr 14:2]; [16:2-25]).

[¶37] 3. (Compare [Psa 50:7-15]; [Is 1:11], ).

[¶38] 4. high look--(Compare Margin; [Psa 131:1]).

[¶39] proud heart--or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare [Psa 101:5]).

[¶40] ploughing--better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity ([Pr 20:20]); hence joy or delight.

[¶41] 5. The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare [Pr 19:2]).

[¶42] 6. The getting--or, "what is obtained" (compare [Job 7:2]; [Jr 22:13], Hebrew).

[¶43] vanity ... to and fro--as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare [Pr 20:17-21]; [Psa 62:10]). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.

[¶44] them ... death--act as if they did ([Pr 8:36]; ).