Proverbs 21:30-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:30

The designing busy part of mankind are directed, in all their counsels and undertakings, to have their eye to God, and to believe, 1. That there can be no success against God, and therefore they must never act in opposition to him, in contempt of his commands, or in contradiction to his counsels. Though they think they have wisdom, and understanding, and counsel, the best politics and politicians, on their side, yet, if it be against the Lord, it cannot prosper long; it shall not prevail at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:30

There is no wisdom nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord. No human schemes whatever, formed with the greatest wisdom and prudence, can ever prevail against God, or set aside or hinder the execution of any design of his; nothing that is pointed against his church, his cause, and interest, his truths and ordinances, in the issue shall succeed; all that are found fighters against him shall not prosper, let them be men of ever so much sagacity and wisdom; though there may be ever so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:31

The horse is prepared against the day of battle ,.... The horse is a warlike creature, and was much used formerly, as now, in war; these are prepared against the day of battle, to mount the cavalry with; and men are apt to put too great confidence in them: this is mentioned instead of all other military preparations and instruments of war; but safety is of the Lord ; a horse is a vain thing for safety, Psalm 33:17 ; victory is only of the Lord; salvation depends upon him; it is he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:31

The horse is prepared against the day of battle - Horses were not used among the Jews before the time of Solomon. There was a Divine command against them, Deuteronomy 17:16 ; but Solomon transgressed it; see 1 Kings 10:29 . But he here allows that a horse is a vain thing for safety; and that however strong and well appointed cavalry may be, still safety, escape, and victory, are of the Lord. Among the ancient Asiatics, the horse was used only for war; oxen labored in the plough and cart,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:27-31

The just judgments of the Eternal I. ON RELIGIOUS ACTS . ( Proverbs 21:27 ; Proverbs 15:8 .) The hypocrisy of devotion, the play acting of religion, is as hideous a sight as true worship is beautiful. All the conditions of genuine worship are wanting in the bad man; there is no heart, no way of access, no faith (Bridges). We have scriptural examples in Balaam ( Numbers 23:1-30 ), Saul ( 1 Samuel 13:1-23 ), Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:1-37 ), Jezebel, the Pharisees. Compare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:29-31

(with Proverbs 21:22 ) The achievements and limitations of wisdom There is great virtue in wisdom; Solomon never wearies of praising it. Here he adds another commendation, but he calls attention to a boundary beyond which it may not pass . I. THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WISDOM . "A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty," etc. ( Proverbs 21:22 ). How often have men stood behind their strong ramparts—not of stone or rock only—and looked down with complacent contempt upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:30

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord; i.e. in opposition to him, which can be compared with his, or which can avail against him (comp. Job 5:13 ; Psalms 33:10 , Psalms 33:11 ; Isaiah 29:14 ; 1 Corinthians 1:20 ; 1 Corinthians 3:19 ). Septuagint, "There is no wisdom, there is no courage ( ἀνδρεία ), there is no counsel, in respect of the ungodly;" πρὸς τὸν ἀσεβῆ , neged Jahve, being taken as "that which is against Jahve," equivalent to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:31

The horse is prepared against the clay of battle. The horse is an emblem of military power and activity. To the earlier Jews, who were unaccustomed to its use, and indeed forbidden to employ it ( Deuteronomy 17:16 ), the horse and horse-drawn chariots were objects of extreme terror ( Joshua 17:16 ; 4:3 ), and though Solomon had largely imported them from Egypt ( 1 Kings 4:26 ; 1 Kings 10:26 , etc.), these animals were used exclusively for war, and, at this time, their services were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:31

National defence The Jews were repeatedly warned against keeping cavalry. Cavalry were for pitched battles, and could only be used on the plains. But the old successful Jewish warfare was among the hills. As a question of military tactics, the advice meant that it was better for the Jews to act on the defensive in their impregnable strongholds than to descend into the field for open warfare. A deeper thought was that, while defensive warfare might sometimes be required, the Jews were not... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 21:31

Proverbs 21:31. The horse is prepared, &c. Under which particular all warlike preparations are comprehended; but safety is of the Lord The success of the battle depends not upon any human strength or art, but upon God’s providence, who gives the victory when and to whom he pleases, and frequently to those that have least reason to expect it. read more

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