Proverbs 12:11 - Exposition

A contrast between industry and idleness, repeated at Proverbs 28:19 . He that tilleth his land. Agriculture was the first of industries, and always highly commended among the Jews, bringing a sure return to the diligent ( Proverbs 10:5 ; Proverbs 20:4 ; Proverbs 27:18 , Proverbs 27:23-27 ; and Ec Proverbs 20:28 ). He that followeth after vain persons; rather, vain things ; μάταια , Septuagint, empty, useless employments, profitless business, in contrast to active labour on the land. The Vulgate renders, qui sectatur otium, "he who studieth ease;" but the original, reikim, will not bear this meaning. Is void of understanding; he not only, as is implied, will be reduced to poverty, but shows moral weakness and depravity. The Septuagint and Vulgate here introduce a paragraph not found in our Hebrew text: "He who takes pleasure ( ὅς ἐστιν ἡδύς ) in carouses of wine will leave disgrace in his strongholds ( ὀχυρώμασι )" ( Isaiah 28:7 , Isaiah 28:8 ; Habakkuk 2:16 ). Probably this verse is derived from the following, with some corruption of the text.