Proverbs 25:23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

Here see, 1. How we must discourage sin and witness against it, and particularly the sin of slandering and backbiting; we must frown upon it, and, by giving it an angry countenance, endeavour to put it out of countenance. Slanders would not be so readily spoken as they are if they were not readily heard; but good manners would silence the slanderer if he saw that his tales displeased the company. We should show ourselves uneasy if we heard a dear friend, whom we value, evil-spoken of; the same... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

The north wind driveth away rain ,.... So the geographer F23 Dionysii Perieg. v. 532. says, the swift north wind drives away the moist clouds; which usually come from the opposite quarter, the south. The word used has the signification of conceiving, and begetting, and bringing forth; hence some F24 תחולל "parturiet", Montanus; "gignit", Junius & Tremellius; "parturit", Schultens. render it to a different sense, and so the Targum, "the north wind bringeth forth rain;' ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:23

The north wind driveth away rain - The margin has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the true reading; and is supported by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Septuagint; but the Arabic reads south wind. A backbiting tongue - A hidden tongue. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-27

The wisdom of moderation We can only eat a small quantity of honey; it we go beyond the limit we find out our mistake. Of this, as of all very sweet things, the words of the great dramatist are true, that "a little more than enough is by much too much." This is particularly applicable to that to which it is here referred. I. SELF - PRAISE . We may go a little way in that direction, but not far. If we transgress the narrow bounds allowed, we shall soon find that we have done... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20-25

The inopportune and the acceptable "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly" ( Proverbs 18:24 ). And if we would do this we must be careful to choose our time for speaking the truth to our friends, and must study to do not only the right but the appropriate thing. We must— I. ABSTAIN FROM THE INOPPORTUNE . ( Proverbs 25:20 .) It should require but a very humble share of delicacy to understand that what is very valuable at one time is altogether misplaced and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

The north wind driveth away rain. So St. Jerome ( Ventus Aquilo dissipat pluvias ), Symmachus, Aben Ezra, and others. The north wind is called by the natives of Palestine "the heavenly," from the bright effect which it produces in the sky. "By means of the north wind cometh he (the sun) forth as gold" ( Job 37:22 ). But the verb here used ( חול ) means "to bring forth, produce" ( Psalms 90:2 ); hence the Revised Version rightly renders, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." This... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:23-28

Moral invectives I. AGAINST SLANDER . ( Proverbs 25:23 .) Here is a striking picture. Gunning and slanderous habits beget a dark and gloomy expression on the brow; as a homely German proverb says, "He makes a face like three days' rainy weather." The countenance, rightly read, is the mirror of the soul. Without the candid soul the brow cannot be clear and open. If we look into the mirror, we may see the condemnation which nature (that is, God) stamps upon our evil and unholy moods. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:23

Proverbs 25:23 . The north wind, &c. “As the sharpness of the north wind scatters clouds, and drives away rain, so a severe countenance, full of indignation against him that traduces his neighbour, not only gives a check, but puts a stop to his slanderous tongue; which would not tell such lies if they were not greedily received.” So Bishop Patrick, who justly observes, however, that the verse will admit of a quite contrary sense; as, indeed, the reader may see by the margin, where he... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:1-28

25:1-29:27 MORE PROVERBS OF SOLOMONRelations with others (25:1-28)God has no obligation to explain to anyone the reasons for his actions. A king, however, has a duty to his people to investigate the causes of events that affect them, though he need not reveal to them his deepest thoughts (25:1-3). Some advisers to the king may be ungodly or treacherous, and should be removed if the king is to rule righteously (4-5). It is better to wait to be invited to a higher rank than to be boastfully... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 25:23

driveth away = bringeth forth. Hebrew. hul. an angry countenance. Supply the Ellipsis thus: by adding "[produceth]". read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:23-28

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:23

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:1-28

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 25:23

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