Proverbs 23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:6-8

The graces of giving, receiving, and refusing The text treats of a hospitality which does not deserve the name, and of our duty when we are invited to accept a glint that is grudged. It thus opens the whole subject of giving and receiving. There are three graces here. I. THE GRACE OF GIVING . This is one which is readily recognized as heaven born. 1 . God commends it to us. He says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you" ( Luke 6:38 ); "Give to him that asketh thee" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. The verb here used is שָׁעַר ( shaar ), "to estimate, …. to calculate," and the clause is best rendered, For as one that calculates with himself, so is he. The meaning is that this niggardly host watches every morsel which his guest eats, and grudges what he appears to offer so liberally. In the Authorized Version the word "heart" occurs twice in this verse, but the Hebrew words are different. The first is nephesh, "breath," equivalent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:8

The morsel which thou hast eaten shall thou vomit up. Food thus grudgingly bestowed will only create disgust, and do thee no good; thou wilt feel annoyed to have eaten it, and wilt long to get rid of it. And lose thy sweet words. You will have expended in vain your civil speeches and thanks for the entertainment provided for you; you really owe no gratitude for fare so grudgingly bestowed. Some think that by the "sweet words" are meant the conversation at table with which you have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:9

Here is another case in which "sweet words" are lost. Speak not in the ears of a fool. This does not mean, as it would in our English phrase—whisper not to a fool; but do not take the trouble to try to make him understand, impart nothing to him. The "fool" here ( kesil ) is the dull, stolid, stupid man. who cannot be moved from his own narrow groove (see on Proverbs 1:22 ). It is a mere casting of pearls before swine ( Matthew 7:6 ) to speak to such a man of high aims, righteous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:9-11

Holding aloof from evil I. THE FOOL . ( Proverbs 23:9 .) There is "a time to keep silence." Truth may be desecrated in certain company by speech and honoured by silence. Pearls are not to be cast before swine. The silence of Christ was equally eloquent with his words. How much does the sentence convey, "He answered hint never a word"! Beyond a certain point explanations are worse than useless; the caviller only takes them as food for his folly and encouragement to his perversity. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:10

Enter not into the fields of the fatherless. Do not think to appropriate the fields of orphans, as if there were no our to defend their rights (comp. Proverbs 15:25 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:10

(See homily on Proverbs 22:28 .)—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:10-11

An enlargement of Proverbs 22:28 combined with Proverbs 22:22 , Proverbs 22:28 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:11

For their Redeemer is mighty. The redeemer ( goel ) is the near kinsman, who had to avenge bloodshed, carry on the blood feud, or vindicate the cause of a relation otherwise unsupported (see Numbers 25:12 , 19, 21; Le 25:25; Ruth 3:2 , Ruth 3:9 , Ruth 3:12 ). God himself will be the orphans' Goel. This term is often applied to God; e.g. Job 19:25 ; Psalms 19:14 ; Jeremiah 50:34 . He shall plead their cause with thee. He will, as it were, conduct their cause, try thee,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:12

commences a new series of proverbs of wisdom. This general admonition is addressed to all, tutor and disciple, educator and educated. Apply thine heart unto instruction. (For musar , "instruction," see note on Proverbs 1:2 .) read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:6-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:9-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:10-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:12

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