He shutteth his eyes to devise, etc. - He meditates deeply upon ways and means to commit sin. He shuts his eyes that he may shut out all other ideas, that his whole soul may be in this. read more
The hoary head is a crown of glory - The latter part of the verse is very well added, for many a sinner has a hoary head. read more
He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others. The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most nations have formed similar... read more
The lot is cast into the lap - On the lot, see the note on Numbers 26:55 . How far it may be proper now to put difficult matters to the lot, after earnest prayer and supplication, I cannot say. Formerly, it was both lawful and efficient; for after it was solemnly cast, the decision was taken as coming immediately from the Lord. It is still practiced, and its use is allowed even by writers on civil law. But those who need most to have recourse to the lot are those who have not piety to pray... read more
Penal judgments on guilt I. GODLESS STRIVINGS . Life is full of success and failure. There are successes which cost the soul, and failures in which is contained the reaping of life eternal. The activity of the worthless man ( Proverbs 16:27 ). 1 . It is mischievous in spirit and in end. He is depicted as one who digs a grave for others ( Proverbs 26:27 ; Jeremiah 18:20 , sqq. ) . And his words are like fire that scorches, blasting reputation, withering the buds of... read more
A froward man soweth strife ( Proverbs 6:14 , Proverbs 6:19 ). The verb means, literally, "sends forth," which may signify "scatters as seed" or "hurls as a missile weapon." The character intended is the perverse man, who distorts the truth, gives a wrong impression, attributes evil motives; such a one occasions quarrels and heartburnings. And a whisperer separateth chief friends ( Proverbs 17:9 ). Nirgan is either "a chatterer," or "a whisperer," "calumniator." In Proverbs 18:8 ... read more
(See homily on Proverbs 17:9 .)—C. read more
A violent man enticeth his neighbour. The man of violence ( Proverbs 3:31 ) is one who wrongs others by injurious conduct, by fraud or oppression. How such a one "enticeth," talks a man over, we see in Proverbs 1:10 , etc. Septuagint, "The lawless man tempts ( ἀποπειρᾶται ) friends." And leadeth him into the way that is not good ( Psalms 36:4 ; Isaiah 65:2 ); a position where he will suffer some calamity, or be induced to commit some wickedness. read more
This verse is better taken as one sentence, and translated, as Nowack, "He that shutteth his eyes in order to contrive froward things, he that compresseth his lips, hath already brought evil to pass;" he has virtually effected it. From such a crafty, malignant man you need not expect any more open tokens of his intentions. He shutteth his eyes (comp. Isaiah 33:15 ); either that he may better think out his evil plans, or else he cannot look his neighbour in the face while he is plotting... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap ,.... Of a man's garment, or into his bosom, or into a hat, cap, urn, or whatsoever he has in his lap, and from whence it is taken out; which used to be done in choosing officers, civil or ecclesiastical; in dividing inheritances, and determining doubtful cases; and making up differences, and putting an end to strife and contentions, which otherwise could not be done: and this ought not to be used in trivial cases, or to gratify curiosity, or for the sake of... read more