9. be full . . . deny—that is, puffed up by the pride of prosperity. take the name . . . vain—This is not (Hebrew) the form (compare :-), but "take" rather denotes laying violent hold on any thing; that is, lest I assail God's name or attributes, as justice, mercy, &c., which the poor are tempted to do. read more
10. Accuse not—Slander not ( :-). curse . . . guilty—lest, however lowly, he be exasperated to turn on thee, and your guilt be made to appear. read more
11-14. Four kinds of hateful persons—(1) graceless children, (2) hypocrites, (3) the proud, (4) cruel oppressors (compare on Proverbs 30:14; Psalms 14:4; Psalms 52:2) —are now illustrated; (1) Proverbs 30:15; Proverbs 30:16, the insatiability of prodigal children and their fate; (2) Proverbs 30:16- :, hypocrisy, or the concealment of real character; (3 and 4) Proverbs 30:18-20, various examples of pride and oppression. read more
15, 16. horse leech—supposed by some to be the vampire (a fabulous creature), as being literally insatiable; but the other subjects mentioned must be taken as this, comparatively insatiable. The use of a fabulous creature agreeably to popular notions is not inconsistent with inspiration. There are three . . . yea, four—(Compare Proverbs 6:16). read more
17. The eye—for the person, with reference to the use of the organ to express mockery and contempt, and also as that by which punishment is received. the ravens . . . eagles . . . eat—either as dying unnaturally, or being left unburied, or both. read more
18-20. Hypocrisy is illustrated by four examples of the concealment of all methods or traces of action, and a pertinent example of double dealing in actual vice is added, that is, the adulterous woman. read more
20. she eateth . . . mouth—that is, she hides the evidences of her shame and professes innocence. read more
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
23. heir . . . mistress—that is, takes her place as a wife ( :-). read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 30:8
8. vanity—all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isaiah 5:18). read more