---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 271 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/271/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 271. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/271/"
---

# 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.

## 271. Proverbs · 21 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/271/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/271/#p-N

[¶0] 17-18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.

[¶1] 19-21. guide ... way--or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare [Pr 4:4]; ).

[¶2] 22. Hearken--that is, obey ([Pr 1:8]; [Ep 6:1]).

[¶3] despise ... old--Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed.

[¶4] 23. Buy--literally, "get" ([Pr 4:5]).

[¶5] truth--generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds.

[¶6] 24-25. (Compare [Pr 10:1]; , ).

[¶7] 26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness ([Ho 4:11]).

[¶8] give me--This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented ([Pr 8:1]; , &c.).

[¶9] heart--confidence.

[¶10] observe--keep.

[¶11] my ways--such as I teach you ([Pr 3:17]; ).

### Chapter 24

[¶13] [Pr 24:1-34].

[¶14] 1-2. (Compare [Pr 23:3], ; [Psa 37:1]).

[¶15] 3-4. (Compare [Pr 14:1]; [Is 54:14]).

[¶16] house--including the family.

[¶17] 5-6. The general statement ([Ec 9:16], ) is specially illustrated (compare [Pr 21:22]; [Psa 144:1]).

[¶18] 7. (Compare [Pr 14:16]).

[¶19] in the gate--(Compare [Pr 22:22]).

[¶20] 8. So called even if he fails to do evil.

[¶21] 9. Same thought varied.

[¶22] 10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.

[¶23] 11-12. Neglect of known duty is sin ([Jas 4:17]).

[¶24] ready--literally, "bowing down"

[¶25] to be slain--that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.

[¶26] 13-14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

[¶27] 15-16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful ([Psa 37:24]); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.

[¶28] 17-18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare [Pr 17:5]; [Job 31:29]).

[¶29] 19-20. ([Psa 37:1], ; ).

[¶30] 21-22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule ([Ro 13:1-7]; [1Pe 2:17]).

[¶31] meddle ... change--(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.

[¶32] 23. These ... wise--literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, [Pr 24:24-34].

[¶33] to have respect--literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,

[¶34] 24-25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.

[¶35] 26. kiss his lips--love and obey, do homage ([Psa 2:12]; [So 8:1]).

[¶36] right answer--literally, "plain words" (compare [Pr 8:9]), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.

[¶37] 27. Prepare ... in the field--Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.

[¶38] 28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.

[¶39] 29. Especially avoid retaliation ([Mt 5:43-45]; [Ro 12:17]).

[¶40] 30-31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.

[¶41] 32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom ([Pr 6:10], ).

### Chapter 25

[¶43] [Pr 25:1-28].

[¶44] 1. The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction).