Proverbs 20

Abuse of wine verse 1. Kings 2,8,26,28. Contention, 3. Laziness, 4,13. Counsel, 5,28. Boasting of ones own goodness, and faithfulness, 6. Uprightness, 7. The sinful state of all men, 9. Weight and measure,10,23. Judgement of childrens doings, 11. The hearting ear, and seeing eye, 12. The policy of buyers, 14. The preciousness of wise speeches, 15. Suretiship, 16. Unrighteous gain, 17. Backbiting, 19.] Cursing ones parents, 20. Riches hastily gotten, 21. Desire of revenge, and waiting on God, 22. God ruleth mans going, 24. Vows, 25. The soul of man, 27. Youth and old age, 29. Punishment of the wicked, 30.

1. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is outrageous: [Or, raging, or, a disturber, or causer of trouble and raging: that is, that provoketh a man to cry, roar, make a noise, to child, brawl, scold, sight, squabble, &c. See bel.chapter 23.20. also Hos.4.11.18. and of the Hebrew word, ab.chapter 7.11. The meaning is, that wine, and other strong drink, being abused by excess and intemperance, maketh those men, that do abuse them, to become mockers, and outrageous or raging persons. The word rendered here strong drink, is in Hebrew schechar. See of this word, Levit.ch.10.on verse 9.] whosoever erreth therein, [that is, exceedeth measure in drinking thereof. See the same phrase taken in bad sense, Isa.28.7. and in a good sense, ab.ch.5.19. on the word erreth] shall not be wise. [that is, shall not learn true wisdom, as being unfit for it. Or, is not wise; that is, is not prudent, not well advised, not godly, nor virtuous.]

2. The terror of a King [To wit, the terror, which a King in his wrath causeth or produceth in a man. Understand so likewise the terror of men, Gen.9.1. The terror of God, Gen.35.5. the terror of the Israelites, Deut.2.25.] is as the roaring of a young lion: [see above chapter 19.on verse 12. Compare also above chapter 16.14.] he that is angerly affected towards him, [namely, the King, that is, he that useth harsh and angry language against the King] sinneth against his (own) soul. [that is, against his own life, which he bringeth into great danger. Compare Numb.16.38. and 1 Kings 2:23. and ab.ch.8.36. together with the annot.]

3. It is an honour for a man to tarry away [Hebr. To sit. Sitting for straying, or tarrying, see 2 Chron.32.on verse 10.] from strife: [comp.ab.ch.17.14.] but every fool will mingle himself in it.

4. The sluggard will not plow by reason of winter: [To wit, which is nigh at hand, in seed-time; that is, by reason of the cold that then beginneth to come, or because of the badness of the weather. Oth. The sluggard will not plow in harvest. But the Hebrew word choreph is opposed unto Summer, Gen.8.22. Psalms 74:17. Amos 3:15. Zach.14.8. And winter is so called, because it is as it were the reproach of the earth; taking away all the beauty, greenness, and loveliness of it] therefore shall he beg [the Hebr. Word is so taken, Psalms 109:10.] in harvest: but there shall be nothing. [to wit, for him to reap, as there is for others, that have plowed, and sowen.]

5. Counsel [That is, wisdom, whereby men are able to give themselves and others good advice in all things that fall out] in the heart of a man, [to wit, that is wise, understanding, and prudent] is (as) deep waters: [see above chapter 18.on verse 4.] but a man of understanding [that is, a man that is wise and understanding: so above chapter 10.23. and 11.12. will fetch it [to wit, counsel] out. [that is, draw it out, and pluck it out: to wit, by moving questions to wise men, and hearing what they can say to them, and so learning of them. Compare above chap.1.5. Or, the meaning is, that the bent and purpose of a deep witted and retired man may yet in a manner be searched, sifted out, and discovered by a wise and understanding man.]

6. Every one of the multitude of men proclaimeth his own goodness; [That is, boasteth of his own good deeds, and kindnesses shewed unto others; though oftentimes not in reality, and in truth; but merely out of ambition, and a greedy and eager desire of honour and vain-glory] but who can find a right faithful man? [Hebrew a man faithfulnesses. The question intimateth here, that there be but few such men to be found. See the like manner asking, bel.ch.31.10.]

7. The righteous walketh continually in his uprightness: [See Gen.20.on verse 5.] his children are blessed after him.

8. A King to wit, that is was, godly, and righteous] sitting on the throne of judgement, [to pronounce judgement, or give sentence amongst his people] scattereth away all evil with his eyes. [to wit, by summoning malefactors, or wicked doers before him, by taking knowledge of their offences, by convincing them of their wicked crimes, by sentencing and condemning of them, and by causing them to be punished according to their deservings, yea he knowneth how to frighten them, and to chase them away with a very look, or cast of his eye. The meaning is, that a wise, godly, and righteous King, that sitteth among his subjects in the place of Judicature, to execute justice, and judgement, causeth all wickedness, and wicked doers to remove from him, and from his people, yea to be destroyed and rooted out of his land, and that by his very looks, or casting his eyes upon them; even as the sun by its beams and shining dispelleth and driveth away the thick mists and vapours, that arise out of the earth. Compare Psalms 101:4. below verse 26.]

9. Who can say [To wit, indeed and in truth. It is a question, that implyeth a strong denial. See Gen.18.on verse 17.] I have made mine heart clean? I am pure from my sin? [Compare 1 Kings 8:46. Job14.4. Psa.51.7. Eccles.7.21. 1 John 1:8.]

10. A twofold weighing stone, [That is, a twofold weight. See Lev.19.on verse 36.] (and) a twofold Epha, [that is, a twofold measure. What kind of measure the Epha properly was, see Exod.16.on verse 36. Hebr. Stone and stone, Epha and Epha; that is, a twofold stone, and a twofold Epha; to wit, a great one, to buy by, and small one, to sell by. So Deut.25.13. see the annot. There, also below verse 23.] is an abomination unto the LORD, [Hebr. Is the Lords abomination. See above chapter 3.on verse 32.] yea they both. [See the same phrase, above chapter 17.15. and below verse 12. Compare Deut.25.16. above chapter 11.1. and below ver.23.]

11. A boy will also make himself known by his dealings, [That is, by his childish manners, that discover themselves in his first years] whether his work [meaning his life, which he shall lead hereafter, in time to come] (shall be) pure, and whether it shall be right.

12. An hearing ear, and a seeing eye, the LORD hath made, yea both of them. [The meaning is, that of or from God, do proceed not only the instruments, and work tools of the outward senses, but also the power and faculty to use them, and the gift to use them well. Compare Exod.4,11. Psalms 34:9. Some understand this in particular of the obedience and loyalty which subjects owe unto their Prince, or Soveraign, and of the wise and prudent government, whereby Princes and Magistrates ought to have faithful eyes upon, and a tender care of the welfare and prosperity of their subjects.]

13. Love not sleep, [To wit, that which is immoderate, and which proceedeth from idleness, or laziness, above chapter 19.15.] left thou become poor: open thine eyes, [to wit, after that nature hath had her due sleep. Then apply thy self to honest labour in thy lawful calling, for to get thy living by] satisfy thy self with bread. [it is a commandment, containing in it a promise that we shall be satisfied if we take pains in a lawful and honest calling. See of such kind of phrase, above chapter 3.on verse 25. By bread is meant here all bodily necessaries. See Gen.3.19. and 18.5. together with the annot.]

14. It is naught, it is naught, will the buyer say: [To wit, the ware, or the commodity, which the buyer cheapeneth, and intendeth to buy: thus out of a desire of seeking his own profit and advantage, he disparageth the commodity as if it were worth nothing, which notwithstanding he eagerly and greedily covers to have] but when h is gone away, then he will boast. [that is, when he hath made the bargain for his own advantage, he goeth his way, and commendeth himself, that by his craft and subtility, he hath bought the commodity at an under rate.]

15. There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: [Of Rubies, see Job 28.on verse 18.] but the lips of knowledge [that is, the lip which utter, or bring forth knowledge, meaning wise, and virtuous speechs. So above chapter 14.7. Compare also above chapter 12.19. and see the annot.] are a precious jewel. [Hebr. Vessel, or, instrument, furniture. See Job 28.on verse 17. Comp. Above ch.3.14,15.]

16. When (any one) [Of the Insertion of this word, compare above chapter 11.15. and below ch.17.23.] is become surety (for) [this word is here inserted from the following clause of this verse. Comp.ab.ch.11.15. and bel.ch.27.13.] a stranger, [that is, that is unknown unto thee, and of whose estate thou hast no certain knowledge or assurance, so as to be out fear, that he will pay what he oweth] take [to wit, thou, for whose security the surety standeth bound] his garment; [to wit, the garment of him, that is become surety for one that he knoweth not, and that for a pledge and security, that he will pay the debt for the stranger, in case he come to fail or fall] into want] and pawn it for the unknown. [to wit, persons, or men. Oth. For a stranger, or, outlandish woman. So bel.ch.27.13. Understand by a strange, or, outlandish woman, an harlot, or, she that is unknown to thee. See ab.ch.2.on verse 16.]

17. Bread of lying [That is, wealth gotten by false and indirect means. See ab.ch.4.on verse 17. Also compare ab.ch.17. and the annot.] is sweet to a man; [comp. Ab.ch.9.17.] but afterwards his mouth shall by full of gravel stones. [or, little sharp stones, or flint stones. See the Hebrew word also, Lam.3.16. The meaning is, that such wealth or riches will prove hurtful to him in the end, and procure much sorrow and grief unto him.]

18. Every thought is established by counsel, therefore make war with wise deliberations.

19. He that walketh (as) a backbiter, [See Lev.19.on verse 16.] revealeth the thing that is privy: [that is, the secret another, that he is enstrusted with. So ab.ch.11.13.] mingle not thy self then with him, that enticeth [or, sootheth, flattereth, seduceth] with his lips. [that is, that cometh upon a man with fair enticing flattering words, to catch somewhat out of his mouth, which he afterward goes and carries to others. See of the Hebrew word rendered here enticing, Judg.14.15. upon the word persuading.]

20. Whoso curseth his father, or his mother, his lamp shall be put out [That is, his welfare prosperity, and happiness shall perish. See Job 18.on verse 6. Comp. Exo.21.17. Lev.20.9. Deut.27.16. Mat.15.4.] in black darkness. [Hebr. In the blackness of darkness; that is, when darkness is so great, that is very black and thick. Comp.ab.ch. 7.9. and the annot. Understand thereby a very sad and miserable estate, wherein the curser shall be left by God. See Genesis 1:5. on verse 12.]

21. When an inheritance [Meaning all manner of wealth and richs, that might befall a man, and which he might leave behind for his heirs, when he dies] is over-hasted at the first, [that is, is gotten, and heaped up in a short time, with much stirring and moving to and again by all manner of ways and means. Compare bel.ch.21.5.] then its last (or the end thereof) shall not be blessed.

22. Say not, [To wit, with thy self, or also with thy neighbour] I will recompense evil: [comp. Deut.32.35. ab.ch.17.13. bel.ch.24.29. Rom.12.17. 1 Thess.5.15. 1 Pet.3.9.] wait on the on the LORD, and h shall deliver thee.

23. A twofold weigh-stone [Heb. Stone and stone. See above on verse 10.] is an abomination unto the LORD; and the deceitful scales [Hebr. The balance of deceit. That is, wherein a man deceiveth and wrongeth his neighbour, by not allowing him his full weight, and by taking for ones self more then is ones due] are not good. [that is, they are very bad; see above chapter 17.on verse 26.]

24. Mans goings [That is, his thoughts, purposes, words, and works, commissions, and omissions] are of the LORD; [to wit, not onely in regard of the work of Creation, but also in regard of the works of Preservation, and Government. Compare Job 31:4. Psalms 37:23. and 139.2,3.] how should a man then understand his (own) way? [that is, know what shall befall him in his life time. Compare Jer.10.23.]

25. It is the snare of a man [To wit, wherein he himself is taken: that is, it is dangerous and hurtful thing for a man] that he devoureth [to wit, by eating or drinking it: which was against the Law, Lev.27.9. Deut.23.21.] that which is holy; [that is, which by vows was consecrated to God] and after vows (made) to make enquiry. [to wit, whether thou shalt keep thy vows, or not.]

26. A wise King scattereth away the wicked: [See the annot. Above verse 8.] and he bringeth the wheel over them. [that is, he causeth a grievous punishment to be inflicted upon them. In former time great malefactors, or evil doers, were thus punished, to wit, that a cart with sharp iron wheels was drawn over them. See 2 Sam.12.on verse 31. Understand under this punishment here mentioned, all sorts of hard and severe punishments.]

27. The soul of man [Meaning the rational or reasonable soul, which is endowed with the natural light of understanding, and distinction between good and evil, or also with the supernatural light of regeneration, whereby a man is in a capacity to apprehend and understand, what he ought to believe, and how he ought to live] is the lamp of the LORD: [that is, it is a clear and bright shining light or candle of knowledge, given and lighted by God himself, whereby a man knoweth himself both without, and within, and under Gods dispose and government is guided and directed in all his ways, actions and omissions. Compare Matth.6.22,23. Luke 11:34,35. 1 Cor.2.11.] searching all the inner chambers of the belly. [that is, all the most inward parts of the thoughts, inclinations, affections, and of the most secret and hidden conscience. See Job 15.on verse 2.]

28. Mercy and truth preserve the king: [See Psalms 101:1. and below chap.25.5.] and by mercy he upholdeth his throne.

29. The ornament of young men is their strength; and the glory of old men, is the hoariness of the head. [To wit, because old age is oftentimes a blessing, wherewith God honoureth those that are godly; and because that for the most part there is with it also wisdom, experience, and advice or counsel. Compare above chapter 16.31.]

30. The swellings of the wound are a cleansing in the wicked: [The meaning is, that no amendment can be expected in a man that is wholly given over to sin and wickedness, but by grievous bodily punishments] together with the stripes of the innermost (parts) of the belly. [that is, which pierce through into the innermost parts both of body and soul. Compare above chap.10.13.]