Proverbs 13

Chap. XIII. Ver. 1—25. subjects.—We shall notice two or three passages that require explanation. Ver. 8. we read, “There is [a man] who maketh himself kindly affected towards inferior rich,” that is, accumulates great wealth, “yet hath nothing;” because, in arbitrary countries, if this became known, the prince may, under some pretence or other, demand as in the whole, as in the next verse, for “the ransom of their life.” ((Deuteronomy 5:4), &c.) On the other hand, there are benevolent persons who spend their property in doing good, who enjoy great riches in the public esteem, and are not likely to be called upon in the way a man regardeth just mentioned. Their character screens them from the suspicion of ill-gotten wealth, and from the rebuke and restraint in fact, or well.

And that which often calls for from the government: can we think of their Ver. 16. we read, “Every prudent man dealeth with (or in) knowledge,” and turns the merchandise to good account; More general maxims on various points are, “Folly is folly,” as travelling merchants do their goods, but to no effect; for who will purchase folly? Again, ver. 22. We learn that a good man “leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children,” which may, in the first place, intimate that he does not forfeit his inheritance, either by extravagance or crime: yet this inheritance does not always consist of lands and tenements; but the character of a good man is often a portion to his children; and his blessing and prayers their best inheritance.

Thus Bishop Hall esteemed the prayers and admonitions of his pious mother; and the excellent Favel says, “I bless God for a religious tender father, who often poured out his soul to God for me; and this stock of prayers I esteem above the fairest inheritance on

Notes on the verses

That is, it is better to be in lowness and obscurity, and to support one’s self by manual labour, than to want the necessaries of life, vanity, or the pride of birth, which refuses to labour. —Bagster. Ver. 12. Desiveth the net.—See margin. The Hebrew bears we prefer the former, as meaning (an unlawful) net, that he may take advantage of his neighbours. The root of the righteous—Meaning, their riches have a root in their industry. A Spanish ambassador quantity of gold, turned up some. he did so, he replied, ‘To see if it had any root; a root in his gold mines.” Ver. 16. Presently known—Intimating that a wise man will pause before he shows his anger. Ver. 18. There is that speaketh, &c.—That is, the keen, piercing words of an enemy.

Allusions of this nature seem to be justified by real occurrences; for Thevenot informs us, that, the Turks sometimes sword between their teeth, and a musket in their hands.]—Bagster. Ver. 19. But for a moment—that is, he is soon confuted. that the wicked man desires a dishonest (or the treasury of Venice, a great being shown, in from the bottom: and on being asked why for his master’s riches had Ver. 21. No evil… to the just—that is, eventually all shall be overruled for good. through a foolish Ver. 26. The righteous is more excellent: -i. e. more successful;” because “the way,’ i. e. the course of life adopted by the wicked, * seduceth them” both senses, but into extravagance and crime. not—that is, even when he gets food gratis, Ver.

27. The slothful roasteth he is too idle to dress it. — Chap. XII. Ver. 2. Eat violence.—This expression appears to us elliptical; the latter clause, fully expressed, would be, ‘* But the soul of transgressors (by the fruit of their mouth) shall eat violence.” Ver. 14. To depart.—Heb. “ ‘To turn him.” So Boothroyd, &c. Ver. 17. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief, (or evil, and involves others with him,) but a faithful ambassador (the class of messengers here intended) is health — Holden, “A healing medicine;” it being his office to heal differences, and promote peace. Ver. 22. A good man leaveth.—([Property honestly acquired is permanent; right, having a name but general experience taught even the heathen, that “* the third generation shall not possess the goods that have been unjustly acquired.”

—Bagster.. Ver. 23. There is that is destroyed.—Or, “There (it is) destroyed,’’ or perishes, for want of judgment in cultivation. See ch. xii. 11. Ver. 24. He that spareth his rod.—See note on ch. iii. 19.