Proverbs 19:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:2

Two things are here declared to be of bad consequence:?1. Ignorance: To be without the knowledge of the soul is not good, so some read it. Know we not our own selves, our own hearts? A soul without knowledge is not good; it is a great privilege that we have souls, but, if these souls have not knowledge, what the better are we? If man has not understanding, he is as the beasts, Ps. 49:20. An ignorant soul cannot be a good soul. That the soul be without knowledge is not safe, nor pleasant; what... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:2

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good ,.... Without knowledge of things natural and civil, especially without the knowledge of God and Christ, and divine and spiritual things; to be without this is not good, yea, very bad; for men without such knowledge and understanding are, like the beasts that perish, and for lack of it do. Jarchi interprets it, without the law. Or, "to be without the knowledge of the soul is not good" F5 So Vatablus; or "without care of it",... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 19:2

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good - Would it not be plainer, as it is more literal, to say, "Also, to be without knowledge, is not good for the soul?" The soul was made for God; and to be without his knowledge, to be unacquainted with him, is not only not good, but the greatest evil the soul can suffer, for it involves all other evils. The Chaldee and Syriac have: "He who knows not his own soul, it is not good to him." "Where no discretion is, there the soul is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:1-7

The lowly and gentle life He who is truly humble before his God will be sweet, kind, and peaceable in his relations to men. I. THE ATTRIBUTES OF THIS LIFE . ( Proverbs 19:1-3 .) 1 . It is the life of innocence, in the seeking to have a conscience "void of offence toward God and toward men." This makes poverty rich and privation blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is for such. The consciousness of being dear to God is the true wealth of the soul; the sense of being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:2

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good. "Also" ( gam ), Wordsworth would render "even," "even the soul, i.e. life itself, without knowledge is not a blessing;" it is βίπς οὐ βιωτός . At first sight it looks as if some verse, to which this one was appended, had fallen out; but there is no trace in the versions of any such loss. We have had a verse beginning in the same manner ( Proverbs 17:26 ), and here it seems to emphasize what follows—folly is bad, so is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:2

The evil of ignorance Manifold are the evils of ignorance. All evil of all kinds has been resolved into error; but, if we do not go so far as this, we may truly say— I. THAT IGNORANCE OF GOD IS FATAL . "This is life eternal, to know God;" and if the knowledge of God is life, what must the ignorance of him be? History and observation only too fully assure us what it is: it is spiritual and moral death; the departure of the soul from all that enlightens and elevates, and its... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 19:1-2

Proverbs 19:1-2. Better is the poor Hebrew, רשׁ , a poor man; that walketh in his integrity Who is upright in his words and actions; he has a better character, is in a better condition, is more beloved, lives to better purpose, and is greater and more excellent in the eyes of God, and of all wise and good men; than he that is perverse in his lips Who is in the habit of uttering sinful and mischievous expressions, however high he may be in rank, wealth, or dignity. Also, that the soul... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:1-29

Lessons heeded and ignored (19:1-29)Moral uprightness is more important than wealth, and wise action is more important than hasty action. People are foolish when they blame God for the trouble they bring upon themselves through their own mistakes (19:1-3).Often the reason the rich have many friends is that these ‘friends’ hope to gain personally from their wealth or influence (4-6). The poor lose their friends, though in a sense they are rich if they maintain their understanding (7-8). People... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 19:2

not good. Illustrations: Syrians (1 Kings 20:28 ); Jews (Isaiah 5:12 , Isaiah 5:13 ); Saul (1 Timothy 1:13 .Acts 26:11; Acts 26:11 ); People and Priests (Hosea 4:6 ); Pharisees (Matthew 12:7 ); Judah (Hosea 6:6 ); Peter (Matthew 16:22 ); the rulers (Acts 13:27 . 1 Corinthians 2:8 ); Job (Job 33:8 , Job 33:9 ; Job 34:5 , Job 34:9 , Job 34:35 ; Job 35:16 ; Job 42:3 , Job 42:5 , Job 42:6 ); Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:31 ); Peter (Luke 22:33 , Luke 22:34 ). hasteth, &c. Illustrations: Joshua... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 19:2

"Also that the soul be without knowledge is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.""Zeal without knowledge is not a good thing, for a man in a hurry makes a slip."[2] In both of these verses, it is evident that the Anchor Bible has changed the meaning in order to give a better antithesis. The RSV, more faithful to the text, accepts the second clause of Proverbs 19:2, reading, "He who makes haste with his feet misses the way,"[3] but retains the second clause of Proverbs 19:1 as we... read more

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