The bloodthirsty hate the upright; him that is perfect , Revised Version; ὅσιον , Septuagint. His life is a tacit reproach to men of blood, robbers, murderers, and such like sinners, as is finely expressed in the Book of Wisdom Proverbs 2:12 , etc.. But the just seek his soul. The explanation of this hemistich is doubtful. The following interpretations have been offered: read more
A fool uttereth all his mind; his spirit ; רוּחוֹ , i . e . "his anger;" θυμόν , Septuagint (comp. Proverbs 16:32 ). The wording of the second hemistich confirms this rendering. A fool pours out his wrath, restrained by no consideration. It is a wise maxim that says, "Command your temper, lest it command you;" and again, "When passion enters in at the foregate, wisdom goes out at the postern." So we have the word attributed to Evenus Parius— πολλάκις ἀνθρώπων ὀργὴ... read more
(and see Proverbs 12:16 ; Proverbs 14:33 ) The time to be silent There is a time to keep silence as well as a time to speak (see Ecclesiastes 3:7 ). According to our individual temperament we need the one injunction or the other. There are few, however, of either sex or of any disposition who do not need to be urged to guard the door of the lip. This is one of those things in which we all offend in our time and in our way. Impatience most frequently leads to transgression; but... read more
Proverbs 29:9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man Debating any matter with him, or endeavouring to convince him of any error; whether he The wise man, rage ( is angry) or laugh That is, whether he deal sharply and severely with him: rebuking him for his folly, or mildly and pleasantly, smiling at it; there is no rest No end or fruit of the debate; the fool will not be satisfied nor convinced. Thus Bishop Patrick: “Let a man be never so wise, it is to no purpose for him to... read more
Proverbs 29:10. The blood-thirsty hate the upright And consequently seek their ruin, as may be inferred from the following clause; but the just seek his soul To preserve it. Schultens renders this verse, Bloody men hate the upright, and seek the life of the just. read more
Proverbs 29:11-12. A fool uttereth all his mind All at once, unnecessarily, unseasonably, without reservation or caution; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward Till he have a fit occasion to express it. If a ruler hearken to lies Delight in flatteries or calumnies, or any lying words, or deceitful and wicked practices; all his servants are wicked Because, perhaps, he chooseth only such for his service: or, rather, because they are either corrupted by his example, or engaged by... read more
Authority with justice (29:1-27)Many themes that we have already met in Proverbs are repeated in this section: stubbornness, good and bad government, family values, prostitution, justice, flattery, cunning and concern for the poor (29:1-7). Scoffers are more than just fools; they are trouble-makers. They are not open to reason and cannot control their temper (8-11).Unjust rulers oppress innocent citizens, and the rich persecute the poor, but good and bad alike receive the blessings that God... read more
foolish. Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 29:11 , Proverbs 29:20 . read more
The bloodthirsty = men of bloods. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 . hate the upright. Illustrations: Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:7 ); Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4 ; 1 Kings 19:2 ); Jews (Acts 23:12 ); Cain (Genesis 4:8 . Compare 1 John 3:12 ). the upright = upright ones. the just = an honest one. seek his soul: i.e. to preserve it. Illustrations: Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:2 ); Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4 ); believers (Acts 12:5 ); Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:4 ). soul = life. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man —if a wise man has a controversy, either legal or social, with a wicked fool— whether he rage ( is angry ) or laugh, there is no rest. It is a question whether the wise man or the fool is the subject of this clause. St. Jerome makes the former the subject, Vir sapiens, si cum stulto contenderit, sive irascatur, sive rideat, non inveniet requiem . It matters not how the wise man treats the fool; he may be stern and angry, he may be... read more