Proverbs 22

Good name and favour, verse 1. Rich and poor, 2,7,16. Prudence, and simplicity, 3. Humility in the fear of God, 4. The perverse, 5. Instruction, and correction of youth, 6,15. Unrighteous persons, 8. The good eye, 9. Scorners, 10. Pureness of heart, and grace of lips, 11. Right knowledge, and faithlessness, 12. Sliggard, 13. Seducing woman, 14. Oppression of the poor, 16,22,23. Words of the wise, 17,18,19. Commendation of these proverbs, 20,21. Company of an angry man, 24. Suretiship, 26,27. Ancient borders, 28. Diligence in labour, 9.

1. The name [Meaning a good name, and honest report among men. Name for good name. The word good must here be supplied, to make up the sense, from the following branch of this verse. Compare above chapter 18.on verse 22.] is a more choice (thing) then great riches: the good favour, [that is, the good opinion that the godly have of a man, and the good affection which they bear unto him. Compare ab.ch.3.4. the annot. Upon the word favour] then silver, and then gold. [compare Eccles.7.1.]

2. The rich, and poor, meet together: [That is, they live among one another, and have need of one another. Compare bel.ch.29.13.] the LORD hath made them all. [to wit, the Lord, who forbiddeth the rich to despise the poor are bound to serve the rich , for reward.]

3. A prudent man [That is, that is provident, and of wise understanding. See ab.ch.1.4.] seeth the evil, and hideth himself: [he foreseeth the evil, to wit, which hangeth over men, and which will certainly fall upon them, and provideth for himself against it, that he may escape it] but the simple pass on, and are punished. [to wit, because they do not foresee the evil that hangeth over them, or because they despise it.]

4. The reward of humility, (with) the fear of the LORD, [That is, which is joined with the fear of the Lord. In the same sense the words may be also rendered, (and) of the fear of the LORD] is riches, and honour, and life. [that is, as the fear of God is united and conjoined with true humility, so hath also the fear of God the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim.4.8.]

5. Thorns, (and) snares are in the way of the forward (one): [That is, calamities, and plagues, wherein the wicked by his evil and wicked doings is so entangled and ensnared, that he cannot deliver himself out them. By the forward, or, perverse person her, is meant the unregenerate man, and he that is estranged from the fear of God] be that keepeth his soul, will keep far off from him.

6. Teach a boy the first principles [The Hebrew signifieth properly to instruct a man from his youth, or childhood in some science, and especially in the grounds and principles of Christian Religion, to the comfort and salvation of his soul. Compare Gen.14.on verse 14. It is here as much as Catechizing, which is often so used in the New Testament. See Luke 1:4. Acts 18:25. the nature of his way; [Hebr. According to the mouth (that is, according to the request, or condition) of his way; that is, of his age, apprehension, and tenderness. Oth.in the beginning, or, entrance of his way, that is, in the beginning of his life] also when he shall be grown old, he will not depart from it. [to wit, from which thou in his youth hast infused into him with his first institution.]

7. The rich [To wit, he that lendeth something to the poor, or sheweth him some kindness or favour] ruleth over the poor: [to wit, over him that hath borrowed something of the rich, or hath received a kindness or favour at his hand] and he that borroweth, is the lenders servant. [that is, he must be at his service, and ready to wait upon him. He speaketh not properly of that which ought to be done, but of that which for the most part cometh to pass in the world.]

8. He that soweth iniquity, shall reap trouble: [See Job 4.on verse 8. Also Hos.10.13.] and the rod of his indignation shall have an end. [that is, the plague, or punishment, whereby he vexed, annoyed, and oppressed others in his fierce wrath, shall cease. It seemeth to be a similitude, borrowed from a staff, wherewith we are wont to thresh seed, or grain.]

9. He that is of a good eye, [That is, he that is friendly, liberal, compassionate, and bountiful. So Mat.20.15. For commonly the nature and the nature and disposition of a man is seen and discovered in the eyes. The good eye is also called a single eye, Mat.6.22. See of an evil, or, wicked eye, Deut.15.on verse 9. And below chap.23.6.] he shall blessed: [Compare 2 Cor.9. verse 6.] for he hath given of his bread to the poor. [Hebr. To the thin (ones).]

10. Drive out the scorner, and brawling [to wit, which he is wont to raise] shall go away; and contention with reproach [to wit, the reproach which he offereth to others by his strifes and contentions] shall cease.

11. He that loveth pureness of heart, [That is, sincerity, or uprightness of mind: which see Gen.20.verse 5. 1 Kings 9:4. Psalms 5:12. Mat.5.8.] whose lips are gracious, [that is, that is so eloquent, that he can utter and express his upright thoughts with a kind of grace. Heb. Whose lips are grave; that is, pleasantness, or acceptableness. See of this, Psalms 45:3. Eccles.10.12.] the King is his friend. [The Translation may be also thus rendered: with, or, because of the grace of his lips the Kings is his friend.]

12. The eyes of the LORD [That is, the Providence and care of God. See 2 Chron.16.on verse 9.] preserve knowledge: [that is, him that is endowed with true knowledge, and godly wisdom, and ordereth his words and actions according to it. Compare the phrase with Job 35.on verse 13.] but he will overthrow the affairs [Oth. Words] of the faithless (one.) [that is, of the wicked man, who not keeping faithfully the covenant of God, transgresseth wilfully both in words and deeds.]

13. The slothful man saith there is a lion without: I may be slain in the midst of the streets. [To wit, he speaketh so, that he may escape labour, or pains. When he is bid to work, or take pains to get his living, he then findeth easily a pretence of this or that danger, which he feigneth to be present or ready at hand to hinder him, when he should go about any business. So bel.ch.26.13.]

14. The mouth of stranger women [See above chapter 2.on verse 16.] is a deep pit: [to wit, of miseries, both for body and soul. Compare below chapter 23.27. Her mouth is a deep pit, to wit, by reason of her flattering, soothing, and enticing words. See above chapter 2.16. and 5.3. and 5.7.] (he) against whom the LORD is provoked to anger, shall fall therein.

15. Foolishness [See above chapter 12.on verse 23.] is bound in the heart of a boy: [it is a similitude or comparison, signifying that sin is tied as fast unto youth, or to the younger sort, as things that are tied and bound fast together with cords and ropes] the rod of discipline [that is, the rod whereby a child is chastified, or corrected] shall remove it far from him. [compare above chap.13.24. and 19.18. and below ch.23.14. and 29.15.,17.]

16. He that oppresseth the poor [To wit, by deceit, or violence. Compare above chapter 14.on verse 31.] to increase his own (substance); [or, to make himself great] (and) giveth to the rich, [to wit, to get his favour to want. [oth. Onely, or, to nothing but want. Compare above chapter 21.5. and the annot.]

17. Incline thine ear, and hear [This exhortation is here inserted, to stir up the Reader to the due and right consideration of these proverbs, yea of all the commandments of God] the words of the wise: [Salomon calleth these proverbs not onely his proverbs, but also the proverbs of all other truly wise, that consented thereunto, and joined in the making and publishing of them, of which some are named below chap.30. and 31.] and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. [that is, my doctrine, and commandments, which thou oughtest to know. See above ch.15.on verse 7. Oth. To know me. Me; to wit, wisdom.]

18. For it is pleasant when thou keepest them [To wit, the words of the wise] in thy inner most (parts): [Hebr. In thy belly: that is, in the innermost parts of thy heart. See above chapter 18.on verse 8. And 20. On verse 30. Job 15.on verse 2.] they shall be together sitted to thy lips. [to wit, that thou mayest utter them conveniently, and profitably unto men.]

19. That thy trust may be in the LORD, [Compare above chapter 3.5,6. Hereby is shewed the end of these proverbs, which is, to believe in God, and to expect all good things from him, on condition that we also obey him] I do make (them) known to thee this day, thou also [to wit, who sleekest after wisdom, hearing, or reading these proverbs] (make them known). [oth. (do) thou them also. Compare the phrase with the 15.verse of the next chapter.]

20. Have not I written to thee glorious things [That is, which become Lords, and Governors, or Rulers, and deserve to be pondered, spoken, and practised by them. Compare above ch.8. on verse 6. Oth. Have I not written three times, that is, often?] of all manner of counsel, and knowledge? [that is, of all manner of good instruction and admonition, to order thy self aright according to the Word of God, both in a public and private course of life.]

21. To make known unto thee the certainty of the sayings of truth; that thou mightiest answer the sayings of truth to them [That is, that thou mightiest not onely know the truth thy self, but also that thou mightiest make it known unto others, according to the state and condition of thy calling] that send thee. [to wit, to do office or duty for all in general. Oth. That send (unto) thee: to wit, to have some good counsel and instruction from thee.]

22. Rob not the poor because he is poor: [The rich, and mighty are not excluded: but the poor are specially mentioned, ch.3.on verse 27. Compare Zach.7.10.] neither grind the afflicted in pieces in the gate: [that is, in Judgement, or in the place of Judicature. See Genesis 22.on verse 17. Compare Exodus 23:6. Job 31:13. Psalms 82:3,4.]

23. For the LORD will plead their cause [That is, defend and maintain their causes, or their suits. See the same phrase, 1 Sam.25.39. below chapter 23.11. Jer.51.36.] and he will spoil the soul [that is, of those that take away the goods and means, or estate, from them that are afflicted and miserable. Compare Exodus 22:22,23. Psalms 10:18.]

24. Keep not company with an angry man: [Hebr. Lord, or possessor of anger: that is, one that is nature, and by use and custom very prone and bent to anger. So below chapter 29.22. a Lord of wrath. Compare Gen.14.on verse 13.] neither converse with a furious man. [Hebr. Man of furies, or, of burning angers: that is, that is soon kindled with great anger. Compare Job 11.on verse 13. And Psalm 5.on verse 7.]

25. Lest thou learn his paths, [Or, ways. See Genesis 6.on verse 12.] and get a snare upon thy soul. [That is, bring mischief and destruction upon thy self, which thou shalt not be able to escape. Compare above chapter 18.on verse 7.]

26. Be not thou among them that strike hands, [To wit, with creditors, for a token, that they are become sureties, and stand bound for the debtor. See Job 17.on verse 3. And above ch.6.on verse 1.] among them, that are surety for debts. [compare above chap.6.1. and 11.15.]

27. If thou hast nothing to pay, [To wit, unto the creditor, for whose security thou art become surety for the debtor] why should they take away thy bed from under thee? [to wit, if there were nothing else in thine house to satisfy the creditor with, but that. Understand this of him, that undertook to be surety for another mans debt: for thereby he declared that he was rich, and able to pay; so that he might not help himself with that law, that is mentioned, Exod.22.26,27. And repeated, Deut.24.6. Therefore although the law of charity commanded, that the poor mans necessary goods should not be pawned, or taken to pledge; yet the civil law (or the law of nations) permitted it in some cases, yea even to make the debtor himself a slave or vassal for some certain time, 2 Kings 4:1. see also above chapter 20.16.]

28. Set not the ancient borders [Hebrs. Borders of eternity. See of these borders, Deuteronomy 19:14. and 27.17. above chapter 15. On verse 25. And below chapter 23.10. and of the word eternity, which is here taken for a long, and unlimited time, 1 Kings 1.on verse 31.] back, which thy fathers have made.

29. Hast thou seen a man that is at his work? He shall be set before the face of Kings: [To be set, or, to stand before a mans face, is to minister unto him, or to be advanced and called to that office. See Deut.1.on verse 38. And 1 Kings 1.on verse 2.] he shall not be set before the face of man not regarded. [Hebr. Dark, abscure; to wit, people, or men; that is, common, unknown, mean, and of no repute, or respect.]