Proverbs 12:8. A man shall be commended Namely, by wise and good men; according to his wisdom More or less, according to the degree of wisdom, which his discourses and actions discover to be in him; but he that is of a perverse heart Which he shows by his wicked words and actions; shall be despised By God, and all wise men. read more
Proverbs 12:9. He that is despised That lives in an obscure and mean condition in the world, such being commonly despised by persons of a higher rank; and hath a servant Hath but one servant: or, as the LXX. render it, δουλευων εαυτω , serveth, or is servant to himself; that is, hath none to wait upon him, or work for him but himself; that supports himself by his own labours; is better than he that honoureth himself Is happier, and in a better condition, than he that glories in his... read more
Proverbs 12:10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast Which is employed in his service. He will not destroy it, either by labours beyond its strength, or by denying it necessary food or rest, or any other way: and much more will he be pitiful to his own servants, and to poor men; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel There is much cruelty mixed even with their most merciful actions, when they pretend, or intend to show mercy. Hebrew, רחמי רשׁעים , the bowels of the... read more
Honest speech and honest work (12:1-28)There are further proverbs on attitudes towards criticism (12:1-2; see notes on 9:7-9), the stability of the righteous (3) and the value of a good wife (4). The righteous, besides having good principles, have the courage to speak up at risk to themselves in order to save others (5-7).If people live humbly and in keeping with their financial capacity, they may not achieve high social status, but at least they will remain free of debt. They are wiser than... read more
man. Hebrew. adam. App-14 . wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. the righteous = righteous ones. read more
virtuous = worthy. See Proverbs 31:10 and Rth 31:11 . crown. Always used of a bridal or royal crown. read more
thoughts = plans. right = just (as to their character). Illustrations: David (1 Samuel 23:9 ; 1 Samuel 26:8-11 ); Daniel (Daniel 1:8 ; Daniel 6:4 ); Nuthanael (John 1:47 ). counsels = steerings, or directions. Illustrations: Korah (Numbers 16:0 ); Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28 . Compare Proverbs 12:26 ); the prophet of Beth-el (1 Kings 13:18 . Compare Proverbs 11:9 ); Sanballat (Nehemiah 6:2 ); Haman (Esther 3:5 , Esther 3:6 , Esther 3:8 ); Ishmael (Jeremiah 40:14 ); Herod (Matthew 2:8 , Matthew... read more
words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73 . the upright = upright ones. read more
overthrown. Compare Genesis 19:21 , Genesis 19:25 , Genesis 19:29 ; 2Sa 10:3 . 1 Chronicles 19:3 , &c. and are not = there is nothing of them left. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 12:5-7
Proverbs 12:5-7. The thoughts of the righteous are right His constant purpose is to be upright before God, and just and true in all his dealings with men. But the counsels of the wicked are deceit His great care and contrivance are to deceive and wrong others by fair pretence and cunning artifices. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait, &c. Are designed and ordered to entrap or deceive others, and to destroy them; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them Namely, from... read more