Proverbs 29:18 ESV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 29:18

"Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he."Both the American Standard Version and the RSV butchered this beautiful verse, neither of them approaching the grandeur of the KJV. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."[23] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 29:18

Proverbs 29:18. Where there is no vision, &c.— Houbigant renders this verse, That people is dissipated, among whom there are no answers of the prophets: that people is blessed with whom the law is preserved; which is very similar to the Vulgate. The LXX read, A wicked people shall have no person to explain the law; but, &c. The word חזון chazon, rendered vision, signifies a prophetic sight, or knowledge; and very well justifies the interpretation of the Vulgate and Houbigant. A... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 29:18

18. no vision—instruction in God's truth, which was by prophets, through visions ( :-). people perish—(Compare Margin), are deprived of moral restraints. keepeth the law—has, and observes, instruction (Proverbs 14:11; Proverbs 14:34; Psalms 19:11). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 29:1-27

D. Instructive Contrasts chs. 28-29Most of the proverbs in this section are couplets, and most of them set forth a truth by means of a contrast. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 29:18

The AV translation has resulted in misunderstanding of this proverb. The "vision" (Heb. hazon) does not refer to some dream of success a person may have but to a prophetic vision that was a revelation from God (cf. 1 Samuel 3:1). The Hebrew verb translated "perish" (AV; para) does not mean "die in their sins" (e.g., because someone did not see the "vision" of the importance of evangelism). It means "cast off restraint." Without the guidance of divine revelation people abandon themselves to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:1-27

Kings and Fathers3. Cp. the prodigal son (Luke 15). 6. His transgression is the snare which catches and ruins him. 9. If a wise man has a lawsuit with a fool the latter will exhibit the most diverse moods, but one thing he will not do, and that is to listen quietly. 10. RM ’But the upright care for his soul.’12. They argue that truth does not pay. 13. To the poor and ’the oppressor’ (RV), to all classes alike, God gives the light of life (Psalms 13:3; Psalms 38:10). 17. ’Better the child weep... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 29:18

(18) Where there is no vision.—No revelation of God’s will (Isaiah 1:1), when God teaches none by His Spirit that they may instruct others. So it was in the evil days of Eli (1 Samuel 3:1), and Asa (2 Chronicles 15:3).The people perish.—Or, run wild. (Comp. Hosea 4:6.)But he that keepeth the law.—The teaching of those whom God has instructed (Comp. Isaiah 1:10.) read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 29:1-27

The Vision Which Saves Proverbs 29:18 Of all the blessings for which we thank God, none are greater than the light and the powers of sight which we possess. Obvious as are the advantages of the powers of physical sight, they only emphasize a condition which is indispensable in the moral and spiritual sphere. The wise man is thinking of the catastrophes which await those who for any reason are blind to the truth about life and who are 'destroyed for lack of knowledge'. I. History contains many... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-27

CHAPTER 30THE NEED OF REVELATION"Where no vision is, a people casts off restraint, but he that keepeth the law is happy."- Proverbs 29:18THE form of the proverb shows that we are not to treat the vision and the law as opposite, but rather as complementary terms. Visions are it is true, especially the mark of the prophets, and the law is often confined in a special sense to the Pentateuch; but there is a much wider usage of the words, according to which the two together express, with tolerable... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 29:1-27

CHAPTER 29 The Final Instructions These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous chapters. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb shows that the author is not Solomon but He who is perfect in knowledge. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Scripture abounds with examples of cases of hardening the neck and the heart, like Pharaoh, Ahab and others. This proverb... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 29:18

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 29:18

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 29:18

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 29:1-27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 29:18

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:1-27

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 29:18

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 29:1-27

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-27

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 29:1-27

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