v. 11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion, that is, he who rebels against the Lord in willful transgression of His Law has evil in mind; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him, that is, evil will be punished with inexorable severity. read more
β) Admonition to contentment and a peaceable dispositionChap. 171 Better a dry morsel and quietness therewiththan a house full of slain beasts with strife.2 A wise servant shall have rule over a degenerate son,and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,but he that trieth hearts is Jehovah.4 Wickedness giveth heed to lying lips,deceit giveth ear to a vile tongue.5 He that mocketh the poor hath reproached... read more
Verse Proverbs 17:3. Two important thoughts are suggested by this proverb. First, that the heart will yield to no force other than that of God. Dross in metal may be discovered and expurged by fire, but evil in the heart can be discovered and dealt with only by God. Second, Jehovah does try the heart. Verse Proverbs 17:5. The first part of this proverb does not teach, as is so often stated, that poverty is from God. Rather, it recognizes the inherent rights of every man in God,... read more
Solomon Contrasts The Behaviour Of The Perverse And Worthless Man With The Life and Attitudes Of The Man Grown Old In Righteousness, Who Is An Exemplar Of All The Righteous (Proverbs 16:30 to Proverbs 17:7 ). The subsection begins with a contrast between the perverse and worthless man who closes his eyes and purses his lips (compare Proverbs 6:12-13 a) in preparation for planning perverse things and bringing about evil (Proverbs 16:30), and the one whose hoary head is a crown of glory, as he... read more
Proverbs Of Solomon Part 2 (Proverbs 15:22 to Proverbs 22:16 ). At this point there is a sudden switch from proverbs which contrast one thing with another, which have been predominant since Proverbs 10:1, to proverbs where the second clause adds something to the first. Whilst we still find some contrasting proverbs, especially at the beginning, they are not so common. This may suggest a deliberate intention by Solomon to separate his proverbs into two parts. Furthermore such a change at this... read more
The Follies Of The Fool (Proverbs 17:8-16 ). The previous subsection ended with reference to the nabal (fool), and this now leads on to consideration of the activities of fools (kesil) (Proverbs 17:21 virtually equates the two). In this subsection we find an emphasis on the activities of ‘the fool’ (Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 17:12; Proverbs 17:16) and his equivalent. Basically he interferes with the stability and smooth running of society. He thinks that he can buy men’s favour (Proverbs... read more
Proverbs 17. Fresh points are the rise of the able and clever slave to a place in the family ( Proverbs 17:2), the practice of bribes ( Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 17:23), the value of adversity as a test of friendship ( Proverbs 17:17): also the subject of suretyship, dealt with in Proverbs 6:1-Deuteronomy :, is resumed ( Proverbs 17:18). Proverbs 17:1 . For the connexion between sacrifices ( mg.) and feasting cf. Proverbs 6:14. For “ sacrifice” used to denote private slaying cf. Deuteronomy... read more
Excellent speech; either, 1. Discourse of high and excellent things far above his capacity. Or, 2. Lofty or eloquent speech, which fools oft affect, Or, 3. Virtuous and godly discourse. A fool; either properly so called; or, as this word is most commonly used in this book, a wicked man, whose actions give the lie to his expressions. read more
As a precious stone; pleasant and acceptable, and withal dazzleth his eyes. Of him that hath it, Heb. of the lord or owner of it; either, 1. Of the giver; or rather, 2. Of the receiver of it, who by the giver is made lord of it; for to his eyes it was exposed, that he might discern the beauty and worth of it, and thereby be allured to do what was desired, which accordingly he did, as it here follows. Whithersoever it turneth; to whomsoever it is presented. But this, as also many other proverbs,... read more
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The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 17:10
v. 10. A reproof entereth more into a wise man, makes a deeper and more lasting impression, has better consequences, than an hundred stripes into a fool, for the fool is callous and cannot be influenced. read more