Proverbs 22:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:12

Here is, 1. The special care God takes to preserve knowledge, that is, to keep up religion in the world by keeping up among men the knowledge of himself and of good and evil, notwithstanding the corruption of mankind, and the artifices of Satan to blind men's minds and keep them in ignorance. It is a wonderful instance of the power and goodness of the eyes of the Lord, that is, his watchful providence. He preserves men of knowledge, wise and good men (2 Chron. 16:9), particularly faithful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge ,.... That is, the providence of God, whose eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth; these preserve the knowledge of himself, even among the Heathens in some measure; for what may be known of God is manifest in them, and showed to them: more particularly his providence has preserved the Scriptures, the means of knowledge, which men would have destroyed; and preserves men of knowledge, as Aben Ezra interprets it, the ministers of the word, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord - (the Divine providence) preserve knowledge - This providence has been wonderfully manifested in preserving the sacred oracles, and in preserving many ancient authors, which have been of great use to the civil interests of man. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-16

The theme of the earlier part of the chapter may be said to be the good name: the blessings in the possession of it, and the conditions for the acquirement of it—partly negatively, partly positively, described. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:6-12

Means to the preservation of the good name I. EARLY TRAINING . ( Proverbs 22:6 .) The young twig must be early bent. Experience teaches us that nothing in the world is so mighty for good or evil as custom; and therefore, says Lord Bacon, "since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let man by all means endeavour to obtain good customs. Custom is most perfect when it beginneth in young years; this we call education, which is in effect but an early custom. The tongue is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge . The expression, "preserve knowledge," is found at Proverbs 5:2 (where see note) in the sense of "keep," "retain," and, taken by itself, it might here signify that the Lord alone possesses knowledge, and alone imparts it to his servants ( 1 Samuel 2:3 ); but as in the following clause a person, the transgressor, is spoken of, it is natural to expect a similar expression in the former. The Revised Version is correct in rendering the abstract... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:12

Proverbs 22:12. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge God, by the watchful eye of his providence, maintains and defends men of knowledge, or wise and good men, such as the last verse spoke of, whose hearts are pure, and speeches gracious. Not only shall the king be their friend, as he said there, but God also, which he adds here. And he overthroweth the words of the transgressor Their false and flattering speeches, whereby they designed and expected to gain the favour and friendship of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-16

Children and adults (22:1-16)People vary in reputation and status, but they should respect one another as being equally God’s creatures (22:1-2). Wise people will act with caution and humility. They will bring up their children in a way that prepares them for the experiences they will face in the life ahead (3-6). Those who borrow will fall into the power of the lenders, and this can lead to unjust treatment of the poor by the rich. Such oppression will be punished, but generosity will be... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 22:12

preserve = guard. words: or affairs. Hebrew. dabar. App-73 . transgressor = traitor. Hebrew. bagad. Illustrations: Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:14 ); Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14-16 ); Ezra's opponents (Ezra 3:3 , Ezra 3:13 . Compare Proverbs 5 and Proverbs 6:0 ); the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 22:12

"The eyes of Jehovah preserve him that hath knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.""This first clause says that God oversees and protects the man who knows God and walks in his ways, and uses his means and abilities for the good of others."[14] The second clause means that, "God frustrates the intentions of the treacherous man by turning them in another direction."[15] It is of interest that the Septuagint renders the passage thus: "The eyes of the Lord preserve... read more

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