8. Further advice for wise living chs. 14-15These proverbs are more difficult to group together under a general heading because there are fewer common ideas that tie them together. read more
1. Grievous] i.e. annoying. ’If one pour in hot water let the other pour in cold.’3. Beholding] RV ’keeping watch upon,’ as watching over a city (Isaiah 52:8), or the prophets over the people (Ezekiel 3:17). 4. Read, ’a soothing tongue.. a wound in the spirit.’7. Doeth not so] RM ’is not steadfast.’8. A costly offering from the one is unacceptable: the mere prayer of the other is accepted (Mark 12:42).11. Hell and destruction] RV ’Sheol and Abaddon.’ The latter means ’place of destruction’: cp.... read more
(11) Hell and destruction.—“Hell” is here the general name for the unseen world (Hades) beyond the grave, so called, according to one derivation, from its always “asking” for more victims, and never being satisfied. (Comp. Proverbs 27:20.) “Destruction” (Abaddon) is the lowest hell, corresponding to the “abyss” of Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 9:11; the abode of evil spirits and the lost. (For the thought, comp. Job 26:6, and Psalms 139:8.) read more
CHAPTER 16A PASSIONATE DISPOSITION"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth up anger." In the LXX there is another clause inserted at the beginning.- Proverbs 15:1"A meek tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit."- Proverbs 15:4"A wrathful man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife."- Proverbs 15:18BAD temper causes more suffering than the modified severity with which we judge it would imply. It is in a... read more
CHAPTER 15 The Better Things One can read through the proverbs recorded in this chapter and ask the question, What are the better things? A soft answer which turneth away wrath is better than grievous words Proverbs 15:1 . The tongue of the righteous which useth knowledge aright is better than the mouth of fools Proverbs 15:2 . Better is the prayer of the upright than the sacrifice of the wicked Proverbs 15:8 ). Better is he that followeth after righteousness than the way of the wicked, for... read more
15:11 {d} Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?(d) There is nothing so deep or secret that can be hid from the eyes of God, much less man’s thoughts. 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 Soft Answer, Etc. Proverbs 15:1 , Proverbs 15:3 , Pro 15:10 Understand by "a soft answer," not a reply marked by intellectual feebleness, but one inspired by the very spirit of modesty and graciousness. Such an answer cannot be returned as a mere art, because the wrath to which it replies excites natural surprise and indignation, and may be supposed to necessitate a communication in its own key and temper. The soft answer is unique by contrast. It is so unexpected, so unlike the... read more
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? A scorner... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 15:11
11. Hell— ( :-). destruction—or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts. read more