E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:23
The poor = a needy one. Hebrew. rush . See note on Proverbs 6:11 . read more
Proverbs-18
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:24
A man. A special various reading called sevir reads yesh, instead of ish , which means "there is", or "there are "instead of "a man". It occurs three times: here, 2 Samuel 14:19 , and Micah 6:10 . friends. Hebrew. re'im = feeders, from ra'ah to feed (Psalms 23:1 , shepherd). must shew himself friendly = who break in pieces. Hebrew. Hithipolel of ra'a' ( App-44 .) there is. Hebrew. yesh, as in preceding line. a friend = a lover (who loves "without cause"). Note the Figure of speech ... read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:1
Proverbs 18:1"He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.""The Hebrew text of the O.T. here yields no satisfactory sense."[1] Hooke preferred this; "A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach."[2] Another various reading is, "The alienated friend seeks an occasion of quarrel to stir up strife."[3] We shall paraphrase the apparent meaning here: "When any man wishes to separate himself from... read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:2
"A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.""A fool has no pleasure in what is reasonable, but only in self-display."[4] What is evident here is the inherent selfishness of the unregenerated soul. read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:3
"When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.""Three inevitable traveling companions of wickedness are mentioned here: contempt, ignominy and reproach."[5] "These three terms for shame give triple emphasis to shame, which is the corollary of sin, the antithesis of which is glory, the corollary of holiness (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 8:30)."[6] read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook."The two clauses contrast man's teachings (the words of a man's mouth) with the true wisdom. "Deep waters in the Old Testament are associated with the thought of darkness and mystery (Psalms 59:2; Ecclesiastes 7:24; Proverbs 20:3)."[7] On the other hand, the true wisdom (God's Words) are like the happy sparkling waters of a flowing brook. Christ seems to have had this passage in mind (John 7:37-38) on... read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:5
"To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.""It is not good to show favor to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice."[8] read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:6
"A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.""When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating."[9] "When a stupid man talks, contention follows."[10] These translations are currently favored; but as the words stand, they also indicate that a fool joins in any controversy, calling for a judgment of stripes (scourging) upon others, not upon himself. When Jesus was crucified, the "fools" shouted, "Let him be crucified." read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:7
"A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul"Again and again Proverbs returns to the dangers of irresponsible speech. For a full discussion of this, see James 3. read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:22
a wife. Some codices, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read, "a good wife". Compare Proverbs 19:14 . read more