Proverbs 30:21-23 NLT

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:22

For a servant when he reigneth ; or, under a slave when he becometh king . This startling vicissitude was not uncommon in Eastern states; and even if the slave was not preferred to regal power, he was often advanced by unwise favouritism to high position, for which he was wholly unfitted, and which he used only to aggrandize himself at the expense and to the injury of others, This incongruity has been already noticed at Proverbs 19:10 (where see note). And a fool when he is filled... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:23

For an odious woman when she is married; or, under an unloved woman when she is married . The sentence does not refer to an unbeloved wife, a Leah, becoming the favourite, a Rachel; the expression, "when she is married," can hardly have this sense; but the gnome speaks of a woman who has passed much of her life without love, having nothing about her attractive either in looks, attainments, or manner, and is consequently soured and ill-tempered. If such a one does at last win a husband,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 30:21-23

Proverbs 30:21-23. For three things the earth That is, the inhabitants of the earth; is disquieted By their insolence and impudence they cause great disturbances in the places where they live; for four it cannot rest They are intolerable in human societies. For a servant when he reigneth When he is advanced to great power and dignity; for such a one is ignorant and unfit for his place, and therefore commits many errors; he is poor, and therefore insatiable; he is proud and imperious,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:10-33

The wise sayings of Agur (30:10-33)It is wise not to be hasty in reporting a person for a supposed wrongdoing. Such action could rebound with harm to the talebearer if the person is innocent (10). The arrogant despise those whom they should respect, while considering that they themselves are not only blameless, but superior to their fellows. They are merciless in their treatment of those whom they should rather help (11-14).The expression ‘three things . . . and four’ in the proverbs that... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 30:22

fool. Hebrew. nabal. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 30:23

is heirto = has dispossessed, or become heiress to. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 30:21

4"For three things the earth doth tremble,And for four which it cannot bear.For a servant when he is king;And a fool when he is filled with food;For an odious woman when she is married;And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress."The cases cited here are of people in relatively inferior positions who find themselves suddenly promoted; and the intimation of the passage is that, "They then become excessively pretentious, arrogant and disagreeable."[20] Some have discovered an element of humor in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 30:21-23

Proverbs 30:21-23. For three things the earth is disquieted— We have here an answer to another enigmatical question, What things are most intolerable? Which he tells us are, 1. A slave who bears rule; 2. A fool over-fed; 3. A vicious wife in a family; 4. A servant-maid become mistress of the house. This is very clear, and but too well confirmed by experience. A slave, or a man of an obscure condition, and of a mean servile soul, who domineers over others, is a subject of vexation and pain to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 30:21

21-23. Pride and cruelty, the undue exaltation of those unfit to hold power, produce those vices which disquiet society (compare Proverbs 19:10; Proverbs 28:3). read more