Proverbs 25:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:20

1. The absurdity here censured is singing songs to a heavy heart. Those that are in great sorrow are to be comforted by sympathizing with them, condoling with them, and concurring in their lamentation. If we take that method, the moving of our lips may assuage their grief (Job 16:5); but we take a wrong course with them if we think to relieve them by being merry with them, and endeavouring to make them merry; for it adds to their grief to see their friends so little concerned for them; it puts... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:20

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather ,.... Either takes it off of himself, or another person, when it would be rather more proper to put another garment on, and so is exposed to the injury of cold weather; and as vinegar upon nitre : nitre was found in Egypt, beyond Memphis, as Strabo says F16 Geograph. l. 17. p. 552. ; there were two mines of nitre, which produced much, and thence it was called the Nitriotic Nome: others say, nitre has its name from Nitria, a town... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:20

As vinegar upon nitre - The original word נתר nather is what is known among chemists as the natron of the ancients and of the Scriptures, and carbonate of soda. It is found native in Syria and India, and occurs as an efflorescence on the soil. In Tripoli it is found in crystalline incrustations of from one third to half an inch thiek. It is found also in solution in the water of some lakes in Egypt and Hungary. The borders of these lakes are covered with crystalline masses, of a grayish... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-20

Excesses and errors I. WARNING AGAINST SATIETY . ( Proverbs 25:16 , Proverbs 25:17 .) The stories of Samson and of Jonathan may be read in illustration of the saying ( 14:8 , 14:9 ; 1 Samuel 14:26 ). Proverbs 25:27 points the warning against incurring the pain of satiety, "Honey, too, hath satiety," says Pindar— "A surfeit of the sweetest things, The deepest loathing to the stomach brings." 1. We should beware of a too frequent repetition of even innocent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-27

The wisdom of moderation We can only eat a small quantity of honey; it we go beyond the limit we find out our mistake. Of this, as of all very sweet things, the words of the great dramatist are true, that "a little more than enough is by much too much." This is particularly applicable to that to which it is here referred. I. SELF - PRAISE . We may go a little way in that direction, but not far. If we transgress the narrow bounds allowed, we shall soon find that we have done... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather. The proverb gives three instances of what is wrong, incongruous, or unwise, the first two leading up to the third, which is the pith of the maxim. But them is some doubt about the rendering of the first clause. The Authorized Version has the authority of the Syriac, Aquila, and others, and gives an appropriate sense, the unreasonable proceeding being the laying aside of some of one's own clothes in cold weather. But the verb here used, עָדָח... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20-25

The inopportune and the acceptable "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly" ( Proverbs 18:24 ). And if we would do this we must be careful to choose our time for speaking the truth to our friends, and must study to do not only the right but the appropriate thing. We must— I. ABSTAIN FROM THE INOPPORTUNE . ( Proverbs 25:20 .) It should require but a very humble share of delicacy to understand that what is very valuable at one time is altogether misplaced and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:20

Proverbs 25:20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather When it is most necessary; and as vinegar upon nitre Producing an effervescence through the contrariety of their qualities; so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart Such unseasonable mirth does not relieve, but increase a man’s grief, and makes his heart far more heavy and sorrowful than it was before. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:1-28

25:1-29:27 MORE PROVERBS OF SOLOMONRelations with others (25:1-28)God has no obligation to explain to anyone the reasons for his actions. A king, however, has a duty to his people to investigate the causes of events that affect them, though he need not reveal to them his deepest thoughts (25:1-3). Some advisers to the king may be ungodly or treacherous, and should be removed if the king is to rule righteously (4-5). It is better to wait to be invited to a higher rank than to be boastfully... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 25:20

takethaway, &c. = decketh himself out in. Hebrew. 'adah. See Job 40:10 . Ezekiel 16:11 , Ezekiel 16:13 ; Ezekiel 23:40 . Hosea 2:13 , i.e. he that thinks more of his appearance than his comfort and health. nitre = natron. Now called soda. With any acid it causes strong effervescence. So is he. The point is in the incongruity of the three things named. read more

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