Proverbs 17:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 17:26

In differences that happen between magistrates and subjects, and such differences often arise, 1. Let magistrates see to it that they never punish the just, that they be in no case a terror to good works, for that is to abuse their power and betray that great trust which is reposed in them. It is not good, that is, it is a very evil thing, and will end ill, whatever end they may aim at in it. When princes become tyrants and persecutors their thrones will be neither easy nor firm. 2. Let... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:26

Also to punish the just is not good ,.... It is evil, and an abomination to the Lord, Proverbs 17:15 . Evildoers indeed should be punished; but to punish the righteous also, as well as them, is far from being commendable; nor to strike princes for equity : to strike princes, judges, civil magistrates, for doing the duty of their place and office, for doing that which is just and equitable among men, is very criminal, who ought to be encouraged and supported therein. Or it may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 17:26

Nor to strike princes for equity - To fall out with the ruler of the people, and to take off his head under pretense of his not being a just or equitable governor, is unjust. To kill a king on the ground of justice is a most dreadful omen to any land. Where was it ever done, that it promoted the public prosperity? No experiment of this kind has ever yet succeeded, howsoever worthless the king might be. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:21-28

Varied experiences of good and evil in life We may divide them into the sorrowful, the joyous, and the mixed experiences. I. SAD EXPERIENCES . The sorrow of thankless children . ( Proverbs 17:21 , Proverbs 17:25 .) To name it is enough for thereto who have known it. It has its analogue in Divine places. How pathetically does the Bible speak of the grief of God over the rebellious children he has nourished and brought up! and of Christ's lamentation as of a mother over... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 17:26

Also ( gam ). This may be intended to connect this verso with what was said above ( Proverbs 17:23 ) about the perversion of justice; or, as is more probable, it is used to emphasize what is coming, To punish the just is not good. Damnum inferre justo, Vulgate; ζημιοῦν , Septuagint; and the word has a special reference to punishment by fire. Nor to strike princes for equity; the expression, "is not good," being understood from the former clause. "Princes" are the noble in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 17:25-26

Proverbs 17:25-26. A foolish son, &c. This was said before, Proverbs 15:20, and elsewhere; but he here repeats it, as a point of great moment and constant use, and as a powerful motive to oblige both children to conduct themselves wisely and dutifully toward their parents, as they would not be thought to be unnatural and inhuman, and parents to educate their children prudently and religiously, at least for their own comfort, if not for the public good. Also to punish, &c. The... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 17:1-28

Friends and fools (17:1-28)A peaceful family life, no matter how simple, is a great blessing, but a son may miss out on his family inheritance through his own folly (17:1-2). God’s dealings with his people are always for a good purpose, to make them better than they were before (3). To listen to evil talk is as bad as to speak evil oneself; to take pleasure in another’s troubles is as bad as to cause those troubles (4-5).Other proverbs concern the appreciation that the old and the young should... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 17:26

"Also to punish the righteous is not good, Also to smite the noble for their uprightness.""To impose a fine on the innocent is not right, or to flog the noble for their integrity."[36] "It is not fair to fine the innocent, and most unfair to scourge a noble soul."[37] In a society like our own, where not even the most vicious criminals are consistently either fined or scourged, and the latter never at all, it is hard to understand why proverbs like this were needed.Proverbs 17:27-28"He that... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 17:26

Proverbs 17:26. Also to punish the just, &c.— It is not right to oppress the just; not even when the prince hath declined from equity: Houbigant; who observes, that Solomon means to say, "It is dangerous to oppress the just, even when unjust princes favour oppressors." See Chap. Proverbs 18:5. Schultens renders it, Also to punish the just is not good; it is to strike the ingenuous for their equity. According to the common interpretation, Solomon condemns here the temerity of those who do... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 17:26

26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers. read more

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