(12) The wicked desireth the net of evil men—i.e., to enrich himself by prey as they do; but the “root of the righteous yieldeth fruit,” by their own exertion they gain all they require without injuring others. read more
(13) The wicked is cursed by the transgression of his lips.—For his words, the product of his evil heart, while designed to injure others, often bring the offender himself into trouble (Psalms 7:16), and moreover, as being the true index of the inner life of the soul, are being stored up as a witness against him at the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:37). The “just man,” on the contrary, avoids all this “trouble.” read more
(14) A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth . . .—Even in this life the wise counsels and kindly deeds by which others are aided, the “bread cast upon the waters” (Ecclesiastes 11:1), return to the giver in the shape of love and respect, and. it may be, of similar aid; while the full recompense, “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,” will come later, at the great day of retribution. read more
Wasted Gains Proverbs 12:27 I. By toil, by tears, by sharing in the toil and tears of others, our life is rich in gains. Trophies have fallen to our bow, and to the bow of the nation with which we are one, and to the bow of the Gospel we believe; and we have never roasted what we took in hunting. The gains are wasted; the trophies are unused. 1. I want to run that thought out into various spheres of life; and first, the wasted gains in bodily life. Take speech or sight. Compare the... read more
CHAPTER 13THE TONGUE"A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his MOUTH: and the doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him."- Proverbs 12:14"In the transgression of the LIPS is a snare to an evil man: but the righteous shall come out of trouble."- Proverbs 12:13"A fool’s vexation is PRESENTLY KNOWN: but a prudent man concealeth shame."- Proverbs 12:16"He that uttereth truth SHOWETH FORTH righteousness, but a false witness deceit."- Proverbs 12:17"The LIP of truth shall be... read more
CHAPTER 12 The Contrast in Relation to Various Conditions In these proverbs we have the righteous mentioned, his thoughts, his words, his domestic relationship, his attitude toward animal creation Proverbs 12:10 ); his diligence; all is contrasted with the wicked in these beautiful antithetic expressions of wisdom. The thoughts of the righteous are right Proverbs 12:5 ), because his heart is right; his words bring deliverance Proverbs 12:6 ); in speaking truth he showeth forth righteousness... read more
12:12 The wicked desireth the {e} net of evil [men]: but the {f} root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].(e) Continually imagines ways to harm others.(f) Meaning, their heart within, which is upright, and does good to all. read more
Some regard the division now entered upon as the original nucleus of the whole collection of proverbs (see the first sentence of verse one). The division extends really to the close of chapter 22, and contains “maxims, precepts and admonitions with respect to the most diverse relations of life.” In so much of it as is covered by the present lesson we have a contrast “between the godly and the ungodly, and their respective lots in life.” We have this contrast set before us, first in general... read more
The Root of the Righteous, Etc. Pro 12:12-24 The wicked man would prosper according to the law of evil. He would take evil men in his net, and make a profit of them if he could; or he would borrow the net of an evil man with which to ensnare the good: he lives by what he calls his wits; being devoid of morality he is exempt from discipline, and so he lives the wild, loose life that is uncontrolled and all but irresponsible. The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit: the fruit is in the man... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:1-28
4. A crown, etc.] Possibly there may be a reference to the crown worn on their wedding-day by bride and bridegroom (Song of Solomon 3:11; Song of Solomon 8:9). In Damascus the bridal crown consists of a silver hoop covered with a network of strings of corals. On this net are fastened strings of gold coins.5. Two kinds of plans. 6. Their very words are an ambush, meant to cause destruction.9. Even a poor man in those days could afford to have a slave (cp. Exodus 21:32), and such a man, although... read more