The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17-28
A series of proverbs connected more or less with peacefulness and its opposite. read more
Proverbs-26:21-25
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:20-28
Spite, cunning, and deceit I. THE TALE BEARER AND MISCHIEF MAKER . ( Proverbs 26:20-22 .) 1 . His inflammatory character . ( Proverbs 26:20 , Proverbs 26:21 .) He keeps alive quarrels which, but for his vice, would die down for want of fuel. It is easy to fire the imagination with tales of evil, not so easy to quench the flames thus kindled. If the character is odious, let us beware of countenancing it by opening our ears to scandal. Personal gossip has in our day... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:21
As coals are to burning coals. As black, cold charcoal feeds glowing charcoal, as wood feeds a lighted fire, so a quarrelsome man ( Proverbs 21:9 ; Proverbs 27:15 ) supports and nourishes strife. The verse is the counterpart of the preceding. Septuagint, "A hearth for coal and logs for fire, and a reviling man for tumult of strife." read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:22
(See Proverbs 18:8 , where the gnome occurs.) Septuagint, "The words of knaves ( κερκώπων ) are soft, but they strike to the secret chambers of the bowels." read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:22
(See homily on Proverbs 17:9 .)—C. read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:23
The next proverbs are concerned with hypocrisy. The Hebrew denotes the comparison simply by position (see on Proverbs 25:11 ), thus: An earthen vessel (or, potsherd ) overlaid with silver dross — growing lips and a wicked heart. So called "silver dross" is litharge, an oxide of lead used to this day to put a glaze on pottery (comp. Ecclesiasticus 38:30). The comparatively worthless article is thus made to assume a fine appearance. Thus lips that seem to burn with affection, and give... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:23-28
On guard Unfortunately, we have to treat men as we find them, not as we wish that they were and as their Creator meant them to be. We are compelled to learn caution as we pass on our way. I. OUR FIRST DUTY AND ITS NATURAL REWARD . Our first duty, natural to the young and the unsophisticated, is to be frank, open-minded, sincere, trustful; to say all that is in our heart, and to expect others to do the same; to believe that men mean what they say and say what they mean.... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips. This and the next verse form a tetrastich. St. Jerome, Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus . But the verb here used, נכר , bears the meaning "to make one's self unknown," as well as "to make one's self known," and hence "to make one's self unrecognizable" by dress or change of countenance ( 1 Kings 14:5 ). This is much more appropriate in the present connection than the other explanation. The man cloaks his hatred with honeyed words. And... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not. When he lowers his voice to a winning, agreeable tone, put no trust in him. Septuagint, "If thine enemy entreat thee with a loud voice, be not persuaded." For there are seven abominations in his heart. His heart is filled with a host of evil thoughts (see on Proverbs 26:16 ), as if seven devils had entered in and dwelt there. Ecclesiastes 12:10 , etc. "Never trust thine enemy; for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:25
When he speaketh fair - For there are such hypocrites and false friends in the world. Believe him not - Let all his professions go for nothing. For there are seven abominations in his heart - That is, he is full of abominations. read more