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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 17:11

11. Such meet just retribution (1 Kings 2:25). a cruel messenger—one to inflict it. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:1-28

1. Lit. ’the sacrifices of strife.’ There would be no pleasure in the festal meal which followed a sacrifice (Proverbs 7:14) if it was accompanied with a quarrel. ’A little with quiet is the only diet.’2. The Israelite slave was a member of the family (Genesis 24:12; Deuteronomy 5:14, etc.), might become the heir (Genesis 15:2-3) or marry the daughter (1 Chronicles 2:34-35). 4. Naughty] injurious. 7. The proverb writers show no hope of redeeming the lost. Their verdict is, ’He that is filthy... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 17:11

(11) An evil man seeketh only rebellion.—Or. A rebellious man (literally, rebellion; comp. Ezekiel 2:7) seeketh only evil.A cruel messenger.—Such as the “chief of the executioners” (margin of Genesis 37:36), who was always ready to carry out the bidding of an Oriental king. (Comp. 1 Kings 2:34; 1 Kings 2:46.) The ministers of the Divine wrath against impenitent sinners appear as “tormentors” in Matthew 18:34. (For the office of the angels in the same work, comp. Revelation 8:6, sqq.) read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 17:1-28

The Nearness of the Essential in Life's Discipline Proverbs 17:24 The fool is he who despises the actual and possible, and longs for what is not; he is never where his eyes are. The text is, then, a warning against vain conceits and regrets, against frittering away life sighing for impossible conditions, whilst missing the glory before our eyes, the treasures at our feet, the prizes within our grasp. I. Do not despise the familiar. The elements of happiness, sources of improvement, and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-28

CHAPTER 18FRIENDSHIP"A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is born for adversity."- Proverbs 17:17 {This rendering, based upon the margin of the R.V, yields a much better sense than the loosely connected, "And a brother is born for adversity."}ONE of the most striking contrasts between the ancient and the modern world is in the place which is given to friendship by moralists and religious teachers. In Aristotle’s famous treatise on ethics two books out of nine are devoted to the moral... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 17:1-28

CHAPTER 17 Diverse Proverbs Of the twenty-eight proverbs found in this chapter we point out but a few. “The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts” (Proverbs 17:3 ). Man may try silver and gold, but God only the hearts. And He tries the hearts by the refining process, trials and afflictions, the process which rests in His own hands. (See Psalms 66:10-12 ; Malachi 3:3-18 ; 1 Peter 1:7 .) “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, but he that... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Proverbs 17:11

17:11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel {e} messenger shall be sent against him.(e) By the messenger is meant such means as God uses to punish the rebels. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-28

In these chapters we have a series of exhortations to a life of godliness expressed in general terms about as follows: 1. Confidence in God as a wise ruler (chap. 16) 2. A disposition of peacefulness and contentment (chap. 17) 3. The virtues of affability, fidelity, and others of a social nature (chap. 18) 4. Humility and meekness (chap. 19) 5. Sobriety, diligence and kindness (chap. 21) 6. Justice, patience, submission (chap. 21) 7. The attainment and preservation of a good name (chap. 22) 8.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Proverbs 17:1-28

"Excellent Speech," Etc. Proverbs 17:7 , Proverbs 17:9 , Pro 17:17 By "excellent speech" we are to understand superfluous or pretentious words; and by "a fool" we are to understand a vile person. Discrepancy between words and character should always be pointed out as a most vicious fault. The words and the character should be equal to one another; so should the sermon and the preacher, that is to say, the sermon should not be read, or delivered as if it did not belong to the preacher, but... read more

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