Proverbs
Verse 1. Israel. The dignity of the author, and the importance of the subject, invite us to read. S. Bas.—Solomon is the first whose name is placed at the head of any work in Scripture. Calmet.
EXPLANATIONS
Proverbs 1
Historical chapter commentary
Proverbs
Verse 2. To know. This is the design of these parables. Calmet.—They tend to instruct both the unexperienced and the wise. verse 5. There are three sorts of wisdom: the divine, which is God himself; (chapter 3:16) the supernatural, which is his gift, to lead us into all virtue; and the worldly, which is mixed with error, and so forth Worthington. Wisd. 7:25.
Proverbs
Verse 4. Subtilty. Discretion to the innocent. Calmet.
Proverbs
Verse 5. Wiser. “Tamdiu audiendum & discendum est, quamdiu nescias, & si proverbio credimus, quamdiu vivas,” says Seneca, ep. 77.—Governments. And be fit to govern others, ( Worthington.) as well as himself. Calmet.
Proverbs
Verse 6. Sayings. This science was much esteemed. 3 Kennicott. 10:1. Sirach 39:2.
Proverbs
Verse 7. Fear. Thus we arrive at charity. Saint Augustine in ep. Jo. ix. Job 28:28. and so forth This fear includes religion, but not barren speculations. Calmet.—It implies a desire to act, and not simply to understand.
Proverbs
Verse 8. Mother. The first precept is to learn of our elders, and the second to resist evil counsels. verse 10. Worthington.—Our parents have the greatest influence over us. Solomon presupposes that they are virtuous and well informed. Calmet.
Proverbs
Verse 10. Entice. Hebrew “deceive.” Calmet.—Pessimum inimicorum genus laudantes. Tacit. in vit. Agric.
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Verse 12. Pit. Grave, or hell, like Dathan. Numbers 16. This shews the greatest rage. Job 31:31.
Proverbs
Verse 17. Wings. If thou attend, therefore, to my instructions, their arts will be vain. Ven. Bede.—They unjustly seek to deceive the pious. Calmet.—Watchfulness will be the best protection against them. Worthington.
Proverbs
Verse 19. Possessors. Of money. Calmet.—While they attempt to invade another’s property, they ruin themselves, and come to the gallows. Bible.
Proverbs
Verse 20. Streets. In every place we may learn wisdom. “The wise learn more from fools, than fools do from the wise,” as Cato well observed. Calmet.
Proverbs
Verse 22. Fools. Hebrew “and scorners delight in their scorning.” Prot.—Such are the pests of society. Bible.—They turn piety to ridicule, and will talk about things which they do not understand, like our esprits forts, ( Calmet.) or pretended philosophers. Bible.
Proverbs
Verse 26. Mock. God is too much above us to act thus; but he will treat us as an enraged enemy. Calmet.—In hell, the damned will cry in vain. verse 28. They had sufficient graces offered while they were alive. Worthington.
Proverbs
Verse 28. Find me. Because their repentance was false, like that of Antiochus. 2 Maccabees 9:13 and Psalms 11:4. Calmet.
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Verse 30. Despised. Lit. “destracted,” ( Bible.) supposing my threats would not be put in execution. Hebrew “they abhorred.” Calmet.
Proverbs
Verse 32. Turning. Hebrew “the ease of the simple,” who have given way to deceit. Calmet.—Them. The objects of their eager desires, prove their ruin. Ezekiel 16:49.
Proverbs
Verse 33. Evils. Both the just and the wicked, (verse 31. Bible.) shall be treated according to their deserts. 2 Corinthians 5:10. Worthington.—Even in this world, the just enjoy the peace of a good conscience. Menochius.
Proverbs
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
Proverbs
Sheol is the place of the dead.
Proverbs
“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.