Proverbs 12:3-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:5

The thoughts of the righteous are right ,.... Or "judgment" F15 משפט "judicium", Pagninns, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus. . The thoughts of men's hearts are naturally evil, nor can any think a good thought of themselves; but the thoughts of the righteous are directed and influenced by the grace of God, and are formed according to that Word which is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; their thoughts concerning God and religion, concerning Christ and his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:6

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood ,.... Which some understand of perjury and false witness, as Jarchi, whereby the lives of innocent persons are taken away: or it may be interpreted either of the smooth words and fair speeches, and secret artifices, antichrist and his emissaries make use of to entrap the innocent, and draw them into their net, to their ruin; see Psalm 10:7 ; as the Jews attempted to deal with Christ, Luke 20:20 ; or of the laws and edicts of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown, and are not ,.... With such an overthrow as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. The kingdom of the beast shall not only be full of darkness, as at the pouring of the fifth vial, and be in the utmost confusion, but it shall be brought to ruin and destruction; which stands opposed to "the house of the righteous", in the next clause: the ten kings, the supporters of antichrist, shall be overcome by the Lamb, with whom they will make war; the beast, and the false... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:8

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom ,.... Not according to his birth and pedigree; not according to his riches and wealth; not according to the places of honour and trust he may be in; but according to his wisdom, which he discovers in his words and actions, in his life and conversation: not according to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish; not according to the wisdom of the world, which comes to nought, either natural or civil; especially that which lies in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:9

He that is despised, and hath a servant ,.... Meaning not the same person as before, but one in mean circumstances of life; and because he has not that substance as others have, at least does not make that show and figure in the world as some; and mean in his own eyes, as Jarchi; and does not affect grandeur, and to look greater than he is; has just sufficiency to keep a servant to wait upon him; or, as some render it, is "a servant to himself" F16 עבד לו "servus sibiipsi",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast ,.... Or "knoweth" it F17 יודע "novit", Mercerus, Michaelis; so Vulgate Latin. ; knows the worth of it and values it, and takes care of it, and is concerned for the preservation of it; he provides sufficient food for it, and gives it; he does not overwork it, but allows it proper rest from labour; and, if in any disorder, will make use of all suitable means to heal it; see an instance of the care of Jacob, that righteous man, of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:3

A man shall not be established by wickedness - Evil is always variable: it has no fixed principle, except the root that is in the human heart; and even that is ever assuming new forms. Nothing is permanent but goodness; and that is unchangeable, because it comes from God. The produce of goodness is permanent, because it has God's blessing in it: the fruit of wickedness, or the property procured by wickedness, is transitory, because it has God's curse in it. The righteous has his root in God;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:4

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband - חיל אשת esheth chayil , a strong woman. Our word virtue (virtus) is derived from vir, a man; and as man is the noblest of God's creatures, virtue expresses what is becoming to man; what is noble, courageous, and dignified: and as vir, a man, comes from vis, power or strength; so it implies what is strong and vigorous in principle: and as in uncivilized life strength and courage were considered the very highest, because apparently the most... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown - Seldom does God give such a long life or numerous offspring. But the house of the righteous shall stand - God blesses their progeny, and their families continue long in the earth; whereas the wicked seldom have many generations in a direct line. This is God's mercy, that the entail of iniquity may be in some sort cut off, so that the same vices may not be strengthened by successive generations. For generally the bad root produces not only a bad plant, but one... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:9

He that is despised, and hath a servant - I believe the Vulgate gives the true sense of this verse: Melior est pauper, et sufficiens sibi; quam gloriosus, et indigens pane. "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread." The versions in general agree in this sense. This needs no comment. There are some who, through pride of birth, etc., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. Though they may be lords, how much to be preferred... read more

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