Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:1

name. Note the Ellipsis (App-6), and supply “good” from Ecclesiastes 7:1.

Proverbs 22:2

poor = needy. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11. Same word as in Proverbs 22:7. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 22:22.

Proverbs 22:3

evil = mischief. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.

simple. See note on Proverbs 1:4.

are punished = suffer for it, or pay the penalty.

Proverbs 22:4

By humility, &c. = The reward of humility [that is] the fear of the Jehovah, will be, &c.

the fear of the LORD. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

life: i.e. resurrection and eternal life. See note on Leviticus 18:5; not necessarily long life on earth.

Proverbs 22:5

and. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read this “and” in the text.

froward = perverse. See note on Proverbs 2:12, Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 3:32. Illustrations: Israel (Judges 2:2, Judges 2:3. Joshua 23:12, Joshua 23:13; contrast with Joshua 21:43-45; Joshua 24:31); Ahab (1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:5; 1 Kings 21:4, 1 Kings 21:20; 1 Kings 22:6, 1 Kings 22:37).

Proverbs 22:6

Train up = Hedge in: i.e. straiten him in, as cattle are guided.

in the way he should go = concerning his way. Hebrew at the mouth of his way: “mouth” being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the opening or beginning of his way. C H. Spurgeon applied it to “the way you wish you had gone yourself”!

Proverbs 22:7

The rich = a rich one.

the poor = poor ones.

is servant, &c. Illustrations: the widow (2 Kings 4:1); the Jews (Nehemiah 5:3, Nehemiah 5:5).

Proverbs 22:8

iniquity = trickery. Hebrew. ’aval. App-44. Illustration: Rebekah (Genesis 27:6-17, Genesis 27:41-46).

shall fail. Illustrations: Balak (Numbers 24:10); Solomon (1 Kings 11:14, 1 Kings 11:23, and 1 Kings 11:31, 1 Kings 11:40); Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:9-17); Sennacherib (2 Chronicles 32:21. Isaiah 30:31); Haman (Esther 5:11-13; Esther 7:10).

Proverbs 22:9

the poor = a weak one. Hebrew. dal. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 22:22. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 22:2, Proverbs 22:7. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

Proverbs 22:10

scorner = scoffer.

shall go out. Illustration: Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-12. Compare Galatians 1:4, Galatians 1:29).

Proverbs 22:11

He that, &c. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “Jehovah”.

pureness of heart = one pure of heart.

Proverbs 22:12

preserve = guard.

words: or affairs. Hebrew. dabar. App-73.

transgressor = traitor. Hebrew. bagad. Illustrations: Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:14); Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14-16); Ezra’s opponents (Ezra 3:3, Ezra 3:13. Compare Proverbs 5and Proverbs 6); the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34).

Proverbs 22:13

streets = open places.

Proverbs 22:14

strange = apostate. Hebrew. zur. S ee notes on Proverbs 2:16 with Proverbs 5:3.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness. Hebrew. ’evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

Proverbs 22:17

words of the wise. See the Structure of the whole book (p. 864). Referring to the wise men by whom Solomon was surrounded, such as Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol (1 Kings 4:31).

thine. Note the continuation of the second person, “the words of the wise” being addressed to Solomon.

heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for thoughts and powers.

my. Note the writer’s personality as being other than Solomon.

knowledge = teaching.

Proverbs 22:19

trust = confidence. Hebrew. batah. See App-69.

be = come to be.

thee. Note the emphasis on the second person.

Proverbs 22:20

to thee = for thee. See the Structure (p. 891).

excellent things. Hebrew margin reads “formerly”, or “before”.

In = With.

Proverbs 22:21

words = sayings, or utterances. Hebrew. ’imrah. See App-73.

send unto = inquire of. Illustration: the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10).

Proverbs 22:22

the afflicted = a wretched one. Hebrew. ’ani. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

Proverbs 22:24

an angry man = a lord, or master, of anger.

Proverbs 22:27

he: i.e. the usurer.

Proverbs 22:28

ancient = age-long.

landmark = boundary stone.

Proverbs 22:29

Seest thou . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

mean = mean ones: i.e. men who are obscure.