Proverbs 29:8 - Exposition

Scornful men bring a airy into a snare. "Men of derision" ( Isaiah 28:14 ) are those who despise and scoff at all things great and high, whether sacred or profane (see on Proverbs 1:22 ). These are the persons who raise rebellion in a country and excite opposition to constituted authority. The rendering of יָפִיתיּ , "bring into a snare," as in the Authorized Version, is supported by some of the Jewish versions and commentaries; but the more correct rendering is "blow into a blaze, inflame," as the Revised Version (comp. Job 20:26 ; Ezekiel 22:20 , Ezekiel 22:21 ). These scorners excite the populace to acts of fury, when all respect for piety and virtue is lost; they fan the passions of the fickle people, and lead them to civil discord and dangerous excesses (comp. Proverbs 22:10 ). Septuagint, "Lawless men burn up a city." But wise men turn away wrath; by their prudent counsels allay the angry passions roused by those evil men (see Proverbs 29:11 and Proverbs 15:1 , Proverbs 15:18 ).