Proverbs 26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:21

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire ,.... As brands, wood half burnt, or dead coals put to live and burning ones, soon take fire and become like them, and fit and proper fuel for them, and add to their heat: so is a contentious man to kindle strife ; or "a man of contentions" F11 איש מדונים "vir contentionum", Montanus, Baynus, Piscator, Gejerus. ; who is given to it, is full of it; it is agreeable to his natural temper and disposition; he is in his element when... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:22

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. These expressions are the same with those in Proverbs 18:8 ; and are here repeated, as being found along with others by the men of Hezekiah, Proverbs 25:1 ; as some others likewise are; and also because of the importance of them; and to impress the minds of men with a sense of the evil of such a practice, that they may shun it, and avoid those that are given to it. See Gill on Proverbs... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips, and a wicked heart ,.... Either burning with wrath and malice; breathing out threatenings and slaughter; pursuing men with reproaches and slanders, arising from a wicked heart: or rather, burning with profession of love to God, and affection to good men; with great pretensions of kindness, and promises of good things, when their hearts are wicked, and they design noticing less; say one thing with their lips, with the greatest show of affection and sincerity, and mean another in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips ,.... He that bears a grudge in his mind, and retains hatred in his heart against any person, hides it all he can, till he has an opportunity of showing it as he would; he pretends a great deal of friendship with his lips, that his hatred might not be known; he would be thought to be a friend, when he is really an enemy; he does not choose as yet to make himself known what he is. Some render it to a sense the reverse, "the enemy", or "he that hateth,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not ,.... Gives good words, flatters with his lips, pretends great kindness and favour, expresses himself in a very gracious and amiable manner, in order to gain attention and respect; or when he delivers himself in a submissive and suppliant way, with great humility and deference; or in a mournful and pitiful strain, as if he had the most tender affection and concern; be not too credulous; do not suffer yourselves to be imposed upon by him; be upon your... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:26

Whose hatred is covered by deceit ,.... The hatred of whose heart is covered by deceitful words, and strong expressions of love and esteem; so that those to whom they are made are deceived by them. Or, whose "hatred is covered in a waste or desert place" F14 במשאון "in desolatione", Montanus; "in solitudine", Baynus, Vatablus; "in vastatione", Tigurine version; "in vastitate", Mercerus, Piscator, so Ben Melech. ; it being not seen; as what is done in desert places is not obvious to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:27

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein ,.... That devises mischief against others, it shall come upon himself. The allusion is to the digging of pits for catching wild beasts, which are slightly covered with earth; and which sometimes the pursuers, through inadvertency, fall into themselves; the passage seems to be taken from Psalm 7:15 ; and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him ; that rolls a stone up hill, if he does not take care, it will return back, and fall with great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it ,.... That is, a man of a lying tongue, that is given to lying, hates those that are hurt and crushed by his lies; the reason why he hurts them with his lies is because he hates them; and, having hurt them, he hates them, being made his enemies, and from whom he may expect and be in fear of revenge: moreover, he hates those that are troubled at and disturbed with his lies; or the "contrite" F16 דכיו "contritos suos", Montanus,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26

Honor is not seemly in a fool. The correction and treatment suitable to such. Of the slothful man. Of him who interferes with matters which do not concern him. Contentions to be avoided. Of the dissembler and the lying tongue. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:1

As snow in summer - None of these is suitable to the time; and at this unsuitable time, both are unwelcome: so a fool to be in honor is unbecoming. read more

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