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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:1

These are also proverbs of Solomon - In my old MS. Bible, this verse concludes the preceding chapter. It seems that the remaining part of this book contains proverbs which had been collected by the order of King Hezekiah, and were added to the preceding book as a sort of supplement, having been collected from traditionary sayings of Solomon. And as the men of Hezekiah may mean Isaiah, Shebna, and other insptred men, who lived in that time, we may consider them as of equal authority with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing - This has been understood as referring to the revelation of God's will in his word, where there are many things concealed in parables, allegories, metaphors, similitudes, etc. And it is becoming the majesty of God so to publish his will, that it must be seriously studied to be understood, in order that the truth may be more prized when it is discovered. And if it be God's glory thus partially to conceal his purposes, it is the glory of a king to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:3

The heaven for height - The simple meaning of this is, the reasons of state, in reference to many acts of the executive government, can no more be fathomed by the common people, than the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:4

Take away the dross from the silver - You cannot have a pure silver vessel till you have purified the silver; and no nation can have a king a public blessing till the wicked - all bad counsellors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants - are banished from the court and cabinet. When the wise and good only are the king's ministers and advisers, then the throne will be established in righteousness, and his administration be a universal blessing. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:7

Come up hither - Our Lord refers to this, see Luke 14:8 ; (note), and the notes there. Be humble; affect not high things; let those who are desperate climb dangerous precipices; keep thyself quiet, and thou shalt live at ease, and in peace. Hear the speech of a wise heathen on this subject: - Quid fuit, ut tutas agitaret Daedalus alas; Icarus immensas nomine signet aquas? Nempe quod hic alte, dimissus ille volabat. Nam pennas ambo nonne habuere suas? Crede mihi; bene qui latuit,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:8

Go not forth hastily to strive - לרב lerib , to enter into a lawsuit. Keep from this pit or the bottomless deep, unless urged by the direst necessity. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbor - Take the advice of friends. Let both sides attend to their counsels; but do not tell the secret of thy business to any. After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both they and the judge will at last leave it to be settled by twelve of your fellow citizens! O the folly of going to law! O the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers! On this subject I cannot but give the following extract from Sir John Hawkins's Life of Dr.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken - אפניו על al ophannaiv , upon its wheels. An observation, caution, reproof, or advice, that comes in naturally, runs smoothly along, is not forced nor dragged in, that appears to be without design, to rise out of the conversation, and though particularly relative to one point, will appear to the company to suit all. Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver - - Is like the refreshing orange or beautiful citron, served up in open work or filigree baskets, made... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:12

As an ear-ring of gold - I believe נזם nezem to mean the nose-ring with its pendants; the left nostril is pierced, and a ring put through it, as in the ear. This is very common in almost every part of the East, among women of condition. This is a farther illustration of the above metaphor. 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

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