hasty in ... words?--implying self-conceit ([Pr 26:12]).
21. become his son--assume the place and privileges of one.
22. (Compare [Pr 15:18]). Such are delighted by discord and violence.
23. (Compare [Pr 16:18]; ).
honour ... spirit--or, "such shall lay hold on honor" ([Pr 11:16]).
24. hateth ... soul--(Compare [Pr 8:36]).
heareth cursing--([Le 5:1]), risks the punishment, rather than reveal truth.
25. The fear ... snare--involves men in difficulty (compare [Pr 29:6]).
shall be safe--(Compare Margin; [Pr 18:10]).
26. (Compare Margin; [Psa 27:8]). God alone will and can do exact justice.
27. (Compare [Pr 3:32]). On last clause, compare [Pr 29:16]; [Psa 37:12].
Chapter 30
[Pr 30:1-33].
1. This is the title of this chapter (see Introduction).
the prophecy--literally, "the burden" (compare [Is 13:1]; [Zec 9:1]), used for any divine instruction; not necessarily a prediction, which was only a kind of prophecy ([1Ch 15:27], "a song"). Prophets were inspired men, who spoke for God to man, or for man to God ([Ge 20:7]; [Ex 7:14], [15, 16]). Such, also, were the New Testament prophets. In a general sense, Gad, Nathan, and others were such, who were divine teachers, though we do not learn that they ever predicted.
the man spake--literally, "the saying of the man"; an expression used to denote any solemn and important announcement (compare [2Sa 23:1]; [Psa 36:1]; ; [Is 1:24], &c.). Ithiel and Ucal were perhaps pupils.
2-4. brutish--stupid, a strong term to denote his lowly self-estimation; or he may speak of such as his natural condition, as contrasted with God's all-seeing comprehensive knowledge and almighty power. The questions of this clause emphatically deny the attributes mentioned to be those of any creature, thus impressively strengthening the implied reference of the former to God (compare [De 30:12-14]; [Is 40:12]; [Ep 4:8]).
5. (Compare [Psa 12:6]; ).
6. Add ... words--implying that his sole reliance was on God's all-sufficient teaching.
reprove thee--or, "convict thee"--and so the falsehood will appear.
7-9. A prayer for exemption from wickedness, and the extremes of poverty and riches, the two things mentioned. Contentment is implied as desired.
10. Accuse not--Slander not ([Psa 10:7]).
curse ... guilty--lest, however lowly, he be exasperated to turn on thee, and your guilt be made to appear.
11-14. Four kinds of hateful persons--(1) graceless children, (2) hypocrites, (3) the proud, (4) cruel oppressors (compare on [Pr 30:14]; [Psa 14:4]; )--are now illustrated; (1) [Pr 30:15], , the insatiability of prodigal children and their fate; (2) [Pr 30:17], hypocrisy, or the concealment of real character; (3 and 4) [Pr 30:18-20], various examples of pride and oppression.
15-16. horse leech--supposed by some to be the vampire (a fabulous creature), as being literally insatiable; but the other subjects mentioned must be taken as this, comparatively insatiable. The use of a fabulous creature agreeably to popular notions is not inconsistent with inspiration.
There are three ... yea, four--(Compare [Pr 6:16]).
17. The eye--for the person, with reference to the use of the organ to express mockery and contempt, and also as that by which punishment is received.
the ravens ... eagles ... eat--either as dying unnaturally, or being left unburied, or both.
18-20. Hypocrisy is illustrated by four examples of the concealment of all methods or traces of action, and a pertinent example of double dealing in actual vice is added, that is, the adulterous woman.
21-23. Pride and cruelty, the undue exaltation of those unfit to hold power, produce those vices which disquiet society (compare [Pr 19:10]; ).
24-31. These verses provide two classes of apt illustrations of various aspects of the moral world, which the reader is left to apply. By the first ([Pr 30:25-28]), diligence and providence are commended; the success of these insignificant animals being due to their instinctive sagacity and activity, rather than strength. The other class ([Pr 30:30], ) provides similes for whatever is majestic or comely, uniting efficiency with gracefulness.
32. As none can hope, successfully, to resist such a king, suppress even the thought of an attempt.
lay ... hand upon thy mouth--"lay" is well supplied ([Jud 18:19]; [Job 29:9]; ).
33. That is, strife--or other ills, as surely arise from devising evil as natural effects from natural causes.
Chapter 31
[Pr 31:1-31].
1. On the title of this, the sixth part of the book, see Introduction.
prophecy--(See on [Pr 30:1]).
2. What, my son?--that is, What shall I say? Repetitions denote earnestness.
son of my womb--as our phrase, "my own son," a term of special affection.
son of my vows--as one dedicated to God; so the word "Lemuel" may mean.
3-9. Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence.
strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort.
thy ways--or course of life.
to that ... kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare [Pr 5:9]; , ; [Ho 4:11]).