17-19. Men warned ought to escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But stupid sinners rush to their own ruin ( :-), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which destroy them (1 Timothy 6:10), not only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction. read more
I. COLLECTION 1: DISCOURSES ON WISDOM CHS. 1-9The Book of Proverbs is a collection of at least seven separate groups of proverbs. There are two groups that Solomon spoke and or wrote (possibly chs. 1-9 and definitely Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16). read more
1. Warning against consorting with sinners 1:8-19In this pericope, the wise way (following the moral law in general, Proverbs 1:8-9) does not have the personal appeal, or the excitement and hope of power, that the second way does (Proverbs 1:10-19). Its only reward is goodness, as opposed to acceptance by one’s peers."The Bible is the basic textbook in the home. It was once the basic textbook in the educational system, but even if that were still true, the Bible in the school can’t replace the... read more
B. Instruction for Young People 1:8-8:36The two ways (paths, worldviews) introduced in Proverbs 1:7 stretch out before the reader (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). In this section Solomon spoke to his son, guiding him into God’s way. "My son" was and is a customary way of addressing a disciple."It derives from the idea that parents are primarily responsible for moral instruction (Proverbs 4:3-4; Deuteronomy 6:7)." [Note: Ross, p. 907.] The frequent recurrence of the phrase "my son" in this part of... read more
The chapter falls into three principal divisions.1-6. Title and Introduction explaining the object of the whole book, which is to instruct the inexperienced and add to the educated man’s knowledge. It is assumed that good conduct is an art which can be taught. But the learner must be in sympathy with the subject; a right judgment concerning moral truth is attainable only by those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. The method of instruction is by proverbs, figures, parables and vivid... read more
(17) Surely in vain . . .—The second reason: their folly in so doing, for God will bring punishment upon them; in the “same net which they hid privily will their foot be taken “(Psalms 9:15). Even birds are wiser than they. It is useless to spread a net in the sight of any bird. read more
Proverbs 1:0 Ruskin writes: 'Read this first of Proverbs with me, please. The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. '"To know wisdom and instruction." '(Not to opine them.) '"To perceive the words of understanding." '(He that hath eyes, let him read he that hath ears, hear, and for the Blind and the Deaf, if patient and silent by the roadside, there may also be some one to say, "He is coming".) '"To receive the instruction of Wisdom, Justice, and Judgment, and Equity." 'Four... read more
CHAPTER 2THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."- Proverbs 1:7"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."- Proverbs 9:10"To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb"- Sirach 1:14; also Psalms 111:10THE book of Proverbs belongs to a group of works in the Hebrew literature the subject of which is Wisdom. It is probably the earliest of them all, and may... read more
Analysis and Annotations A detailed analysis, as we have made it in other books, cannot be fully made in this collection of proverbs. Most of them are detached and each has a message by itself. To interpret each separately, to point out the many spiritual lessons, as well as prophetic application, to show their relation to other portions of the Word of God and to explain them by incidents taken from the Bible, would require volumes; and even then the spiritual meaning would not be exhausted.... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 1:17
Proverbs 1:17. Surely in vain, &c.— The Syriac, which omits Proverbs 1:16., connects this with the 15th verse in this manner; And they fraudulently stretch and cast their net upon the bird. It reads, For the nets are not spread for the birds in vain: the LXX read unjustly instead of in vain; but that version seems forced and unnatural. For though it must be confessed, that the Hebrew word generally has this signification; yet that it also signifies in vain, appears from Ezekiel 6:10. The... read more