1 The king's H4428 heart H3820 is in the hand H3027 of the LORD, H3068 as the rivers H6388 of water: H4325 he turneth H5186 it whithersoever he will. H2654
2 Every way H1870 of a man H376 is right H3477 in his own eyes: H5869 but the LORD H3068 pondereth H8505 the hearts. H3826
3 To do H6213 justice H6666 and judgment H4941 is more acceptable H977 to the LORD H3068 than sacrifice. H2077
4 An high H7312 look, H5869 and a proud H7342 heart, H3820 and the plowing H5215 of the wicked, H7563 is sin. H2403
5 The thoughts H4284 of the diligent H2742 tend only to plenteousness; H4195 but of every one that is hasty H213 only to want. H4270
6 The getting H6467 of treasures H214 by a lying H8267 tongue H3956 is a vanity H1892 tossed to and fro of H5086 them that seek H1245 death. H4194
7 The robbery H7701 of the wicked H7563 shall destroy H1641 them; because they refuse H3985 to do H6213 judgment. H4941
8 The way H1870 of man H376 is froward H2019 and strange: H2054 but as for the pure, H2134 his work H6467 is right. H3477
9 It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 in a corner H6438 of the housetop, H1406 than with a brawling H4079 H4066 woman H802 in a wide H2267 house. H1004
10 The soul H5315 of the wicked H7563 desireth H183 evil: H7451 his neighbour H7453 findeth no favour H2603 in his eyes. H5869
11 When the scorner H3887 is punished, H6064 the simple H6612 is made wise: H2449 and when the wise H2450 is instructed, H7919 he receiveth H3947 knowledge. H1847
12 The righteous H6662 man wisely considereth H7919 the house H1004 of the wicked: H7563 but God overthroweth H5557 the wicked H7563 for their wickedness. H7451
13 Whoso stoppeth H331 his ears H241 at the cry H2201 of the poor, H1800 he also shall cry H7121 himself, but shall not be heard. H6030
14 A gift H4976 in secret H5643 pacifieth H3711 anger: H639 and a reward H7810 in the bosom H2436 strong H5794 wrath. H2534
15 It is joy H8057 to the just H6662 to do H6213 judgment: H4941 but destruction H4288 shall be to the workers H6466 of iniquity. H205
16 The man H120 that wandereth H8582 out of the way H1870 of understanding H7919 shall remain H5117 in the congregation H6951 of the dead. H7496
17 He that loveth H157 pleasure H8057 shall be a poor H4270 man: H376 he that loveth H157 wine H3196 and oil H8081 shall not be rich. H6238
18 The wicked H7563 shall be a ransom H3724 for the righteous, H6662 and the transgressor H898 for the upright. H3477
19 It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 in the wilderness, H776 H4057 than with a contentious H4079 H4066 and an angry H3708 woman. H802
20 There is treasure H214 to be desired H2530 and oil H8081 in the dwelling H5116 of the wise; H2450 but a foolish H3684 man H120 spendeth it up. H1104
21 He that followeth H7291 after righteousness H6666 and mercy H2617 findeth H4672 life, H2416 righteousness, H6666 and honour. H3519
22 A wise H2450 man scaleth H5927 the city H5892 of the mighty, H1368 and casteth down H3381 the strength H5797 of the confidence H4009 thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth H8104 his mouth H6310 and his tongue H3956 keepeth H8104 his soul H5315 from troubles. H6869
24 Proud H2086 and haughty H3093 scorner H3887 is his name, H8034 who dealeth H6213 in proud H2087 wrath. H5678
25 The desire H8378 of the slothful H6102 killeth H4191 him; for his hands H3027 refuse H3985 to labour. H6213
26 He coveteth H183 greedily H8378 all the day H3117 long: but the righteous H6662 giveth H5414 and spareth H2820 not.
27 The sacrifice H2077 of the wicked H7563 is abomination: H8441 how much more, when he bringeth H935 it with a wicked mind? H2154
28 A false H3577 witness H5707 shall perish: H6 but the man H376 that heareth H8085 speaketh H1696 constantly. H5331
29 A wicked H7563 man H376 hardeneth H5810 his face: H6440 but as for the upright, H3477 he directeth H995 H3559 his way. H1870
30 There is no wisdom H2451 nor understanding H8394 nor counsel H6098 against the LORD. H3068
31 The horse H5483 is prepared H3559 against the day H3117 of battle: H4421 but safety H8668 is of the LORD. H3068
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 21
Commentary on Proverbs 21 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 21
Pr 21:1-31.
1. rivers—irrigating channels (Ps 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare De 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pr 16:9; Ps 33:15).
2. (Compare Pr 14:2; 16:2-25).
3. (Compare Ps 50:7-15; Isa 1:11, 17).
4. high look—(Compare Margin; Ps 131:1).
proud heart—or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare Ps 101:5).
ploughing—better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity (Pr 20:20); hence joy or delight.
5. The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare Pr 19:2).
6. The getting—or, "what is obtained" (compare Job 7:2; Jer 22:13, Hebrew).
vanity … to and fro—as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare Pr 20:17-21; Ps 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.
them … death—act as if they did (Pr 8:36; 17:19).
7. robbery—or, "destruction," especially oppression, of which they are authors.
shall destroy—literally, "cut with a saw" (1Ki 7:9), that is, utterly ruin them. Their sins shall be visited on them in kind.
to do judgment—what is just and right.
8. of man—any one; his way is opposed to truth, and also estranged from it. The pure proves himself such by his right conduct.
9. corner—a turret or arbor on the roof.
brawling—or contentious.
wide house—literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.
10. So strongly does he desire to do evil (Ps 10:3; Ec 8:11), that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.
11. (Compare Pr 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.
12. (Compare Ps 37:35-38; 73:17, 20).
house—family or interests.
overthroweth—either supply "God" (compare Pr 10:24), or the word is used impersonally.
13. The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Ps 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).
14. The effect of bribery (Pr 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.
15. But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.
16. the way of understanding—(Compare Pr 12:26; 14:22).
remain—that is, rest as at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.
17. Costly luxuries impoverish.
18. (Compare Pr 11:8). By suffering what they had devised for the righteous, or brought on them, the wicked became their ransom, in the usual sense of substitutes (compare Jos 7:26; Es 7:9).
19. (Compare Pr 21:9).
wilderness—pasture, though uninhabitable ground (Ps 65:12).
20. The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools
spend—literally, "swallow it up," greedily.
21. He who tries to act justly and kindly (Ps 34:14) will prosper and obtain justice and honor.
22. "Wisdom is better than strength" (Ec 7:19; 9:15).
strength … thereof—that in which they confide.
23. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).
24. The reproachful name is deserved by those who treat others with anger and contempt.
25. desire—that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.
26. The sin of covetousness marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous.
27. God regards the heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency.
wicked mind—or, "design" (Pr 1:4).
28. (Compare Pr 19:5).
that heareth—or heeds instruction, and so grows wise.
speaketh constantly—or sincerely (compare Hab 1:5), and hence is believed (Pr 12:19; Jas 1:19).
29. hardeneth his face—is obstinate.
directeth … way—considers it, and acts advisedly.
30, 31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Ps 20:7; 33:17).