Proverbs 3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:22

So shall they he life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck. So shall they be ( n'yikva ); and they shall be. The "soul" and "neck" stand for the whole man in his twofold nature, internal and external. Life is in its highest and widest sense given to the soul (see Proverbs 2:16 , Proverbs 2:18 ; Proverbs 4:22 ; Proverbs 8:35 ), and favour is conferred on the man, i.e. he becomes acceptable to his neighbours, if he has wisdom. The latter expression is very similar to Proverbs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:23

Then shall thou walk in thy way safely. The first of the promises of protection, which follow from Proverbs 3:23-26 . He who keeps "sound wisdom and discretion" shall enjoy the greatest sense of security in all situations of life. Safely ( lavetakh ); either in confidence, as Vulgate fiducialiter, i.e. confidently, because of the sense of security (cf. LXX ; πεποιθὼς ἐν εἰρήνῃ , and Proverbs 3:26 ); or in security: the adverb lavetakh is equivalent to betakh in ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:24

When thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid. This is beautifully illustrated by what David says in Psalms 4:8 , "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." No fear is to be apprehended where Jehovah is Protector (see Psalms 3:5 , Psalms 3:6 ; Psalms 46:1-3 ; Psalms 91:1-5 ; Psalms 121:5-8 ). When, ( im ) is rendered "if" by the Vulgate, LXX ; Targum Jonathan. Thou liest down ; tish'kav, "thou shalt lie down," kal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:25

Be not afraid ; al-tirah, is literally "fear thou not," the future with al preceding being used for the imperative in a dehortative sense, as in Genesis 46:3 ; Job 3:4 , Job 3:6 , Job 3:7 ; Vulgate, ne paveas. Others, however, render, as the LXX ; οὐ φοβηθήσῃ , "Thou shalt not be afraid," in the sense of a promise. The verb yare, from which tirah, is here followed by min , as in Psalms 3:7 ; Psalms 27:1 , and properly means "to be afraid from or before" some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:26

Thy confidence ( v'kis'leka ); literally, as thy confidence. Kesel, primarily "loin" or "flank," as in Le Proverbs 3:14 ; Proverbs 10:15 ; Job 15:27 , is apparently used here in its secondary meaning of "confidence," "hope," as in Job 8:14 ; Job 31:24 ; Psalms 78:7 . The בְ ( v' ) prefixed is what is usually termed the בְ essentiae, or בְ pleonasticum (equivalent to the Latin tanquam, "as") , and serves to emphasize the connection between the predicate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due. This precept indicates the general principle of beneficence, and not merely, as the words at first sight seem to imply, restitution (as Cajet.). We are to do good to those who are in need or deserving of it, whenever we have the means and opportunity. From them to whom it is due ( nib'alayv ); literally, from its owner, from baal, dominus, "lord" or owner of a thing. Cf. Proverbs 16:22 , "Prudence is a fountain of life to its owner (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-28

Dilatoriness in the payment of just debts I. THIS DILATORINESS IN MORALLY CULPABLE , AND MOST INJURIOUS TO SOCIETY . Through thoughtlessness in some cases, through deliberate meanness in others, many people postpone the payment of their just debts as long as possible, though they have the money by them, and are perhaps turning it to account for their own advantage. Such needless delay of justice should be regarded as a moral offence. A sad laxity prevails in this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-28

Promptitude in good actions I. NEGATIVE UNKINDNESS . ( Proverbs 3:27 .) 1 . It consists in withholding good which it is in our power to impart. 2 . It is analogous to the refusal repay a just debt. Kindness is the "due" of our fellow men. This does not imply the giving to every beggar or borrower. No act is required which, under the show of kindness, involves no real benefit to another or actually involves an injustice to ourself or another. We must carry these precepts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-32

Four valuable virtues There are some graces which, though not of the first importance, are yet far from being unimportant. Many men so fashion their lives that while, upon the whole, they are rightly reckoned among the wise and good, they are much less happy, less honoured, and less useful than they might become if they heeded a few small things. If we had regard to some of the minor moralities which we are apt to neglect, there would be less friction and more beauty in our lives than is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-35

6. Sixth admonitory discourse. In this discourse the teacher still carries on his object, which is to demonstrate the conditions upon which true wisdom and happiness are to be attained. The discourse differs from the preceding in consisting of detached proverbs, and may be divided into two main sections—the first ( Proverbs 3:27-30 ) enjoining benevolence, that love to one's neighbour which is the fulfilling of the Law; the second warning against emulating the oppressor and associating... read more

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