Proverbs 21

1 as the rivers of water. “Watercourses,” R.V. The complete control which God exercises even over men in the highest stations is illustrated from irrigation by means of small canals or watercourses, into or from which the cultivator turns the water at his pleasure: see note on Deut. xi. 10. 2 pondereth. i.e., “weigheth,” as R.V. 3 more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. This declaration has “a special significance as coming from the king who had been the builder of the Temple, and had offered sacrifices that “could not be told nor numbered for magnitude” (1 Kings viii. 5) (Plumptre). 4 the plowing of the wicked. Rather, as in the ancient versions and R.V., “The lamp of the wicked (either their prosperity or their delight) is sin.” 5 of every one that is hasty. Eager haste is here opposed to steady industry. Cp. the German Ohne Hast, ohne Rast, “Unhasting, unresting,” and the similar Latin proverb, Festina lente, with the English, “More haste, worse speed.” The French version has for “hasty,” étourdi (“stupid”). 6 a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Or, adopting another reading (R.V.), “They that seek them seek death”; i.e., such treasures quickly disappear, and ruin those who acquired them.

7. The robbery of the wicked. Rather, as R.V., “The violence of the wicked.”

8. The way of man is froward, etc. Or, “Crooked is the way of a sin-burdened man; but the pure, his work is straight.”

9 in a corner of the housetop. See note on Deut. xxii. 8.

a wide house. Rather, “a family-house.” The Hebrew is literally “a house in common.”

12. The righteous [man], etc. Both clauses refer to the same person, the “righteous one” who is probably “the Righteous God.” He “wisely observeth the house of the wicked, [and] overturneth wicked men to ruin.”

15. It is joy to the just to do judgement, etc. Rather, “The doing of justice is joy to the righteous; but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity”: cp. Luke xxi. 28.

16 the dead. Heb., “the Rephaim”: see ii. 18, and note; also ix. 18; Psa. lxxxviii. 10; Isa. xiv. 9.

18 a ransom. Cp. xi. 8. A similar thought is contained in Isa. xliii. 3. Jewish writers illustrate the sentiment by the exchange of places between Haman and Mordecai; Esther vii. 10.

20. There is treasure to be desired, etc. Rather, “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man squanders it.”

24. Proud and haughty scorner, etc. This may be rendered, “As for the proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; he acteth with excess of presumption.”

25. The desire of the slothful, etc. His desire for ease keeps him from working, and so brings him to want.

27 abomination. See note on xv. 8. The former clause is general; the second refers to the special impiety of an attempt to sanctify or to cover some wicked design by ritual observances.

28 speaketh constantly. Or, “shall speak for ever.” The French version interprets this of a man who is faithful to his oath: “qui écoute son serment.” The Vulgate (Latin version) has: “vir obediens loquetur victoriam.”

29 he directeth his way. The wicked man is obstinate, the righteous man is circumspect.