Proverbs 17

1 a house full of sacrifices. A house full of good provision: see vii. 14; Lev. iii. 1.

2. A wise servant. The “servant” here is the slave: cp. the history of Ziba, 2 Sam. xvi.

5 reproacheth his Maker. Who has placed him in poverty: see xiv. 31.

8 of him that hath it. Of him who has it to give, and counts upon its power to secure favour. In the latter part of the verse there is an allusion to the sparkling of a cut jewel whichever way it is turned.

9 he that repeateth a matter. Rather, as R.V., “he that harpeth on a matter alienateth his friend.” What is here meant is not breach of confidence, but that insisting upon old offences which will not “let bygones be bygones.”

11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion. Or, “A rebel (Heb., ‘rebellion’) seeketh only evil.”

16. Wherefore is there a price, etc.? Rather, “Why is this price in a fool’s hand? Is it to get wisdom?” etc. Wisdom cannot be purchased at any price when the capacity for it is wanting.

17. And a brother is born for adversity. Or, “but he is born a brother for adversity”; i.e., a true friend becomes a brother (bound in still closer ties) in adversity.

18 in the presence of his friend. Not, for his friend; but with his friend (or “neighbour,” as R.V.) as a witness. Referring to suretyship.

19 he that exalteth his gate. In the East, the gate being the only external part of a house on which decoration is bestowed, and even this being usually small, a lofty and handsome gate is a mark of pride and ostentation. A figurative expression for pride.

22 doeth good like a medicine. Or, “makes a good cure”: see notes on iii. 8; and xiv. 30.

drieth the bosom. “Saps vitality” (Moffatt). 23 a gift out of the bosom. That is, a secret gift (see xxi. 14), to bribe the judge or the witnesses. Money and other things of value were often carried in the folded bosom of the robe.

24. Wisdom is before him, etc. Wisdom is close at hand to the intelligent, but the fool seeks it in vain at the greatest distance (see xix. 6).

26 to strike princes for equity. Perhaps “to smite the noble is against justice” (Hooke).

27 a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Rather (as R.V.), “And he who is of a cool spirit (not easily excited) is a man of understanding.”