Proverbs 25:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:13

See here, 1. What ought to be the care of a servant, the meanest that is sent on an errand and entrusted with any business, much more the greatest, the agent and ambassador of a prince; he ought to be faithful to him that sends him, and to see to it that he do not, by mistake or with design, falsify his trust, and that he be in nothing that lies in his power wanting to his master's interest. Those that act as factors, by commission, ought to act as carefully as for themselves. 2. How much this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest ,.... As water as cold as snow; or as a breeze of air, such as in a time of snow; and so Jarchi, "as the cold of the days of snow, which a man desires in summer, and not snow simply, for snow itself is not good in the time of harvest;' see Proverbs 24:1 . Or rather "as a shield" or "covering of snow" F8 כצנת שלג "sicut scutum ex nive", some in Gejerus, so Aben Ezra; "sicat tectio nivis", Michaelis. , as the word signifies: perhaps,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow - That snow was frequent in Judea, is well known; and that in the East they have snow-houses - places dug under ground, where they lay up snow for summer use - is also a fact. By means of the mass of snow desposited in them the icy temperature is kept up, so that the snow is easily preserved. The common method of cooling their wine, which is as easy as it is effectual, is by dipping a cloth in water, wrapping it round the bottle, and then hanging the bottle in the heat of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:11-15

Similitudes of moral beauty and goodness I. THE APT WORD . Compared to "golden apples in silver frames." Carved work adorning the ceilings of rooms is perhaps alluded to. The beauty of the groined sets off the worth of the object. Just so the good word is set off by the seasonableness of the moment of its utterance ( 1 Peter 4:11 ). The apt word is "a word upon wheels, not lotted or dragged, but rolling smoothly along like chariot wheels." Our Lord's discourses ( e . g . on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:13

A comparative tristich concerning words. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest. This, of course, does not mean a snowstorm or hailstorm in the time of harvest, which would be anything but a blessing ( Proverbs 26:1 ; 1 Samuel 12:17 , 1 Samuel 12:18 ), but either the distant view of the snow on Hermon or Lebanon, which gave an idea of refreshment in the heat of autumn, or more probably snow used to cool drink in warm weather. This luxury was not unknown in the time of Solomon, who... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:13

Proverbs 25:13. As the cold of snow, &c. Solomon does not here intend a fall of snow in the time of harvest, which must have been incommoding instead of being pleasurable and refreshing, as the proverb supposes what he speaks of to be; but liquors cooled with snow or ice, which they usually were in summer or harvest in the East, and which rendered them extremely grateful; so is a faithful messenger One that faithfully and diligently executes his commission, to the satisfaction of the... 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 25:13

in the time of harvest: i.e. most unusual. Compare Proverbs 26:1 . The emphasis is on "cold" as being refreshing. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 25:13

"As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters."This subject appears in previous proverbs Proverbs 13:17 and Proverbs 17:2. See our comments there. It is amazing that "the cold of snow" would have been available in harvest time. This is either a reference to one's remembrance of the cold of snow, or to some device by which it was really available. Visitors to Monticello, the home of Jefferson, will... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 25:13

Proverbs 25:13. As the cold of snow— It was customary in the east to cool their liquors with snow; to which Solomon here most probably refers; for we cannot conceive that he could speak of a fall of snow in the time of harvest; that must have been incommoding, instead of pleasurable and refreshing, which the proverb here supposes it to be. But, though the gratefulness of liquors cooled by snow is, I apprehend, referred to; yet I very much question whether the supposition of those commentators... read more

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