3 Be not desirous H183 of his dainties: H4303 for they are deceitful H3577 meat. H3899
4 Labour H3021 not to be rich: H6238 cease H2308 from thine own wisdom. H998
5 Wilt thou set H5774 H5774 thine eyes H5869 upon that which is not? for riches certainly H6213 make H6213 themselves wings; H3671 they fly away H5774 H5774 as an eagle H5404 toward heaven. H8064
6 Eat H3898 thou not the bread H3899 of him that hath an evil H7451 eye, H5869 neither desire H183 thou his dainty meats: H4303
7 For as he thinketh H8176 in his heart, H5315 so is he: Eat H398 and drink, H8354 saith H559 he to thee; but his heart H3820 is not with thee.
8 The morsel H6595 which thou hast eaten H398 shalt thou vomit up, H6958 and lose H7843 thy sweet H5273 words. H1697
9 Speak H1696 not in the ears H241 of a fool: H3684 for he will despise H936 the wisdom H7922 of thy words. H4405
10 Remove H5253 not the old H5769 landmark; H1366 and enter H935 not into the fields H7704 of the fatherless: H3490
11 For their redeemer H1350 is mighty; H2389 he shall plead H7378 their cause H7379 with thee.
12 Apply H935 thine heart H3820 unto instruction, H4148 and thine ears H241 to the words H561 of knowledge. H1847
13 Withhold H4513 not correction H4148 from the child: H5288 for if thou beatest H5221 him with the rod, H7626 he shall not die. H4191
14 Thou shalt beat H5221 him with the rod, H7626 and shalt deliver H5337 his soul H5315 from hell. H7585
15 My son, H1121 if thine heart H3820 be wise, H2449 my heart H3820 shall rejoice, H8055 even mine. H589
16 Yea, my reins H3629 shall rejoice, H5937 when thy lips H8193 speak H1696 right things. H4339
17 Let not thine heart H3820 envy H7065 sinners: H2400 but be thou in the fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 all the day H3117 long.
18 For surely there is H3426 an end; H319 and thine expectation H8615 shall not be cut off. H3772
19 Hear H8085 thou, my son, H1121 and be wise, H2449 and guide H833 thine heart H3820 in the way. H1870
20 Be not among winebibbers; H3196 H5433 among riotous eaters H2151 of flesh: H1320
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 23
Commentary on Proverbs 23 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 23
Pr 23:1-35.
1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony.
2. put a knife—an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.
3. are deceitful meat—though well tasted, injurious.
4, 5. (Compare 1Ti 6:9, 10).
thine own wisdom—which regards riches intrinsically as a blessing.
5. Wilt … eyes—As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.
6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted.
evil eye—or purpose (Pr 22:9; De 15:9; Mt 6:23).
8. The morsel … words—that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.
9. (Compare Pr 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Mt 7:6).
10, 11. (Compare Pr 22:22, 23).
11. redeemer—or avenger (Le 25:25, 26; Nu 35:12), hence advocate (Job 19:25).
plead … thee—(Compare Job 31:21; Ps 35:1; 68:5).
12. Here begins another series of precepts.
13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good.
15, 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence.
16. my reins—(Compare Ps 7:9).
17, 18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.
18. an end—or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare Ps 37:28-38).
19-21. guide … way—or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).
20. riotous … flesh—prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure.
21. drowsiness—the dreamy sleep of the slothful.
22. Hearken—that is, obey (Pr 1:8; Eph 6:1).
despise … old—Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed.
23. Buy—literally, "get" (Pr 4:5).
truth—generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds.
24, 25. (Compare Pr 10:1; 17:21, 25).
26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Ho 4:11).
give me—This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented (Pr 8:1; 9:3, &c.).
heart—confidence.
observe—keep.
my ways—such as I teach you (Pr 3:17; 9:6).
27, 28. deep ditch—a narrow pit, out of which it is hard to climb.
lieth in wait—to ensnare men into the pit, as hunters entrap game (compare Pr 22:14).
28. increaseth … transgressors—(Pr 5:8-10). The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.
29, 30. This picture is often sadly realized now.
mixed wine—(Compare Pr 9:2; Isa 5:11).
31. when … red—the color denoting greater strength (compare Ge 49:11; De 32:14).
giveth … cup—literally, "gives its eye," that is, sparkles.
moveth … aright—Perhaps its foaming is meant.
32. The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations.
33, 34. The moral effects: it inflames passion (Ge 19:31, 35), lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings.
35. awake—that is, from drunkenness (Ge 9:24). This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.