Burning; either, 1. With love. Words delivered with show of true and fervent affection. Or rather, 2. With malice or hatred. A slanderous or evil tongue; for this word is constantly used in a bad sense, and notes the heat of rage and persecution. Like a potsherd covered with silver dross; such a tongue and heart are of no real worth, although sometimes they make a show of it, as dross doth of silver. read more
Dissembleth, or, carrieth himself like another man; pretends love and kindness; which sense seems to agree best both with the next clause of this verse, and with the two following verses, read more
Covered by deceit; with false professions of love. Showed before the whole congregation; instead of that secrecy and impunity, which by this art he designed and promised to himself, he shall be brought to public shame and punishment. read more
Whoso diggeth a pit, that another may fall into it. It is a metaphor from hunters, who used to dig deep pits, and then to cover them slightly with earth, that wild beasts passing that way might fall into them, and sometimes in the heat of pursuit fell into them themselves. That rolleth a stone, to wit, up the hill, with design to do mischief to some person or thing with it. read more
Hateth those that are afflicted by it, because by his calumnies he hath made them his enemies. A flattering mouth; which, though it be more smooth and plausible than a slandering mouth, yet is in truth no less pernicious, betraying others either to sin, or to danger and mischief. read more
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 26:1A GIFT WRONGLY BESTOWEDI. To honour some men is both seemly and right. The snow and the rain come from heaven by Divine command, and are indispensable to the beauty and fruitfulness of the earth. So to accord honour where it is due is a Divine command (Romans 13:7), and is indispensable to our social well-being.II. But honour accorded to a fool (i.e., a bad man) is incongruous and hurtful. Snow in summer is an exception to the rules of nature. It would indeed be... read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Proverbs 26:2. The first clause of the verse should be, As the sparrow flitting, as the swallow flying, etc. Causeless, i.e., “undeserved”—i.e., Such a curse is but transient—it alights for the moment, but, like a bird, does not stay long. Miller and others, however, understand the comparison to carry an entirely opposite meaning. (See Suggestive Comments on the verse.) MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 26:2THE CAUSELESS CURSEA reference to the Critical Notes and the Suggestive... read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Proverbs 26:3. To our English ideas, the whip and bridle are assigned respectively to the wrong animals, but it must be remembered that the Eastern ass is often quite as spirited an animal as the horse. Proverbs 26:6. Drinketh damage, or “injury.” As in Job 21:20, the verb “drinketh” seems to express suffering in a large measure. Proverbs 26:7. Are not equal. The Hebrew word, so rendered, is a very obscure one, and is rendered by Delitzsch, Gesenius, and others, “hang down.”... read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Proverbs 26:15. In his bosom. Rather, In the dish, as in chap. Proverbs 19:24. MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Proverbs 26:12-16SELF-CONCEIT AND INDOLENCEI. The ruinous effects of self-satisfaction.—In the preceding verses Solomon has drawn a picture of the moral fool—of the man who seems to have no moral sensibility, and who is a slave to evil habits and degrading vices. At first sight it would seem that no one could be in a more hopeless condition, but a little consideration... read more
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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:22
This was delivered before, Proverbs 18:8, and is here repeated, as being a point of great concernment to the peace and welfare of all societies, and fit to be oft and earnestly pressed upon the consciences of men, because of their great and general proneness to this sin. read more