Proverbs 29
OGCNOTICEABLE GROUPINGS IN CHAPTER 29
Ruler
When a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh (Proverbs 29:2).
The king by justice established the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it (Proverbs 29:4).
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked (Proverbs 29:12).
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever (Proverbs 29:14).
Many seek the ruler’s favor (Proverbs 29:26).
Righteous
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2).
The righteous doth sing and rejoice (Proverbs 29:6).
The righteous take knowledge of the cause of the poor (Proverbs 29:7).
The righteous shall look upon their fall (Proverbs 29:16).
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous (Proverbs 29:27).
He that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked (Proverbs 29:27).
Trap
A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps (Proverbs 29:5).
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare (Proverbs 29:6).
Wise
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father (Proverbs 29:3).
Wise men turn away wrath (Proverbs 29:8).
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest (Proverbs 29:9).
A wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it (Proverbs 29:11).
The rod and reproof give wisdom (Proverbs 29:15).
Parenthood
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance (Proverbs 29:3).
The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother (Proverbs 29:15).
Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul (Proverbs 29:17).
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last (Proverbs 29:21).
Destruction
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (Proverbs 29:1).
He that exacteth gifts overthroweth it (Proverbs 29:4).
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his steps (Proverbs 29:5).
Scoffers set a city in a flame (Proverbs 29:8).
The righteous look upon their fall (Proverbs 29:16).
Wicked
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare (Proverbs 29:6).
The wicked hath not understanding to know it (Proverbs 29:7).
The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life (Proverbs 29:10).
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked (Proverbs 29:12).
When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth (Proverbs 29:16).
Abomination
The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect (Proverbs 29:10).
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked (Proverbs 29:27).
Poor
The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know it (Proverbs 29:7).
The poor and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both (Proverbs 29:13).
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor; His throne shall be established for ever (Proverbs 29:14).
Fool
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man; Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest (Proverbs 29:9).
A fool uttereth all his anger (Proverbs 29:11).
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words: There is more hope of a fool than of him (Proverbs 29:20).
Speech
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his steps (Proverbs 29:5).
Scoffers set a city in a flame (Proverbs 29:5).
The rod and reproof give wisdom (Proverbs 29:15).
A servant will not be corrected by words (Proverbs 29:19).
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him (Proverbs 29:20).
Bad company
He that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance (Proverbs 29:3).
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul (Proverbs 29:24).
Anger
Wise men turneth away wrath (Proverbs 29:8).
If a wise man that a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest (Proverbs 29:9).
A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it (Proverbs 29:11).
Established
The king by justice establisheth the land (Proverbs 29:4).
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be estblished for ever (Proverbs 29:14).
Jehovah
The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both (Proverbs 29:13).
Whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).
A man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah (Proverbs 29:26).
Rejoice
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2).
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father (Proverbs 29:3).
The righteous doth sing and rejoice (Proverbs 29:6).
Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul (Proverbs 29:17).
He that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18).
THOUGHTS OF THE WICKED
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words (Proverbs 15:26).
The wicked have thoughts. They are usually expressing them too. You talk to them about Jesus, and you will see that they have thoughts. But, they are not the kind of thoughts that God would have. They are thoughts that do not agree with God’s thoughts. They are thoughts that lead away from God rather than to Him. They are thoughts that degrade instead of inspire. They are thoughts that oppose God rather than submit to Him.
Because of the way that wicked people think, it is hard to help them, it is hard to deal with them for God. God knows this. The just deplore the way of the wicked, and the feeling is mutualthe wicked deplore the way of the righteous (Proverbs 29:27). God deplores the way of the wicked and would have them turn from it immediately.
Proverbs 29:1-9
CHAPTER 29 TEXT Proverbs 29:1-9
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck
Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father;
But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.
The king by justice establisheth the land;
But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
A man that flattereth his neighbor
Spreadeth a net for his steps.
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare;
But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor;
The wicked hath not understanding to know it.
Scoffers set a city in a flame;
But wise men turn away wrath.
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man,
Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 29:1-9
What strong warning does Proverbs 29:1 contain?
What verses in Proverbs besides Proverbs 29:2 state similar truth?
What character in a parable of Jesus fulfilled the last statement of Pro 29:3?
Reword the last statement of Pro 29:4.
A previous verse on flattery said, A flattering tongue ……………….
A snare to whom (Proverbs 29:6)?
Does Proverbs 29:7 indicate that the righteous themselves are not always poor?
How would scoffers set a city aflame (Proverbs 29:8)?
Does whether he be angry or laugh go with wise man or foolish man (Proverbs 29:9)?
PARAPHRASE OF 29:1-9
The man who is often reproved but refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken and never have another chance.
With good men in authority, the people rejoice; but with the wicked in power, they groan.
A wise son makes his father happy, but a lad who hangs around with prostitutes disgraces him.
A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.
5, 6.
Flattery is a trap; evil men are caught in it, but good men stay away and sing for joy.
The good man knows the poor man’s rights; the godless don-’t care.
Fools start fights everywhere while wise men try to keep peace.
There’s no use arguing with a fool. He only rages and scoffs, and tempers flare.
COMMENTS ON 29:1-9
Proverbs 29:1. Jehovah had tried to get Judah to do right, but they would not listen; therefore, He destroyed them without remedy: Jehovah…sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending…but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, until there was no remedy (2 Chronicles 36:15; 2 Chronicles 36:17). When wisdom is thus despised, this is the result: Ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof…when your fear cometh as a storm, and your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you, then will they call upon me, but I will not answer (Proverbs 1:25-28).
Proverbs 29:2. The contrast is between a righteous and a wicked ruler and between the people’s rejoicing under the righteous ruler and their sighing under the wicked. Previous contrasts involving the same in Proverbs: When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting (Proverbs 11:10); When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves (Proverbs 28:12); When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase (Proverbs 28:28).
Proverbs 29:3. This verse talks of two altogether different kinds of sons and the consequences. Other passages showing a son’s conduct’s effect upon his parents: A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother (Proverbs 10:1); A wise son maketh a glad father, But a foolish man despiseth his mother (Proverbs 15:20); My son, be wise, and make my heart glad (Proverbs 27:11), Yes, men have been made poor though their evil lusts: Lest strangers be filled with thy strength (Proverbs 5:10)margin says wealth instead of strength; On account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread (Proverbs 6:26). The Prodigal Son wasted his substance with riotous living (Luke 15:13). According to his elder brother, he spent it on harlots (Luke 15:30).
Proverbs 29:4. A double contrast: by justice vs. exacteth gifts and establisheth the land vs. overthroweth it. When a king rules according to the laws of justice, things go well with both him and the land, for God blesses, and the people are happy. The bribe-taking king (he that exacteth gifts) overthrows it because such is not right, God is not pleased, and the people do not approve it.
Proverbs 29:5. Flattery is insincere compliments. This verse shows it is buttering a person in order to eat him. A flattering tongue worketh ruin (Proverbs 26:28). When some people speak fair, they should not be believed; their hearts may be filled with abominations (Proverbs 26:25), The flatteries of our verse are nothing more than something that will draw one’s attentions away from the net that is being spread in one’s way. Such operate on the idea expressed in Proverbs 1:17: In vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird.
Proverbs 29:6. The contrast within the verse shows that the snare ensnares the transgressor himself. This very language is used in several other passages, all relating to one’s transgression: A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul (Proverbs 18:7); It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy and vows to make inquiry (Proverbs 20:25); Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul (Proverbs 22:25). But righteousness does not ensnare one; it leads to singing and rejoicing.
Proverbs 29:7. The righteous give to the poor because they first of all take knowledge of their situation and then care. Because the wicked do not care, they do not bother themselves to take knowledge of their condition, and if they know about it, they dismiss it from their thoughts. Job is an example of one who investigated need: I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out (Job 29:16). Psalms 41 :l says, Blessed is he that considereth the poor. This would not be the priest and the Levite of Jesus-’ parable (Luke 10:31; Luke 10:33).
Proverbs 29:8. The setting of this verse is an attacked or besieged city. Men may scoff at the enemy that is able to overthrow the city. Conquerors often spared a city destruction if it surrendered, but if it resisted, it was conquered and then destroyed. Thus, it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked (Proverbs 11:11). The wise men who turn away wrath would be those who, seeing that they were hopelessly outnumbered and defeated, asked for terms or conditions of peace.
Proverbs 29:9. When a foolish men is encountered in a controversy, he may get angry (realizing he is getting the worst end of it), or he may laugh (not sensing that he is being defeated). Such a controversy never comes to a suitable, satisfying point of conclusion as it should. Pulpit Commentary: After all has been said, the fool only falls into a passion or laughs at the matter, argument is wasted upon him, and the controversy is never settled. Wordsworth: The irreligious fool is won neither by the austere preaching of John the Baptist nor by the mild teaching of Christ, but rejects both (Matthew 11:16-19).
TEST QUESTIONS OVER 29:1-9
What was cited as an example of Pro 29:1?
Comment upon Proverbs 29:2.
Tie Proverbs 29:3 in with Proverbs 6:32.
Comment upon the truthfulness of Pro 29:4.
Why does one seeking another’s destruction employ flattery at times (Proverbs 29:5)?
Where else is snare used in this sense (Proverbs 29:6)?
Why do the righteous take knowledge of the poor (Proverbs 29:7)? Why don-’t the wicked?
What is the setting of Pro 29:8?
Comment upon Proverbs 29:9.
Proverbs 29:10-18
TEXT Proverbs 29:10-18
The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect:
And as for the upright, they seek his life.
A fool uttereth all his anger;
But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.
The poor man and the oppressor met together;
Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
His throne shall be established for ever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom;
But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.
When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth;
But the righteous shall look upon their fall.
Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest;
Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;
But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 29:10-18
What two things does Proverbs 29:10 say the bloodthirsty do?
What does Proverbs 29:11 say about losing one’s temper?
Why would this be the case (Proverbs 29:12)?
Why does Proverbs 29:13 say, Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both?
What promise does Proverbs 29:14 contain?
Differentiate between rod and reproof (Proverbs 29:15)?
Describe a child left to himself (Proverbs 29:15).
What increases transgression (Proverbs 29:16)?
Comment upon the truthfulness of the first statement in Proverbs 29:17.
What two things will a properly trained child bring to his parents (Proverbs 29:17)?
What is meant by vision in Proverbs 29:18?
PARAPHRASE OF 29:10-18
The godly pray for those who long to kill them.
A rebel shouts his anger; a wise man holds his temper in and cools it.
A wicked ruler will have wicked aides on his staff.
Rich and poor are alike in this: each depends on God for light.
A king who is fair to the poor shall have a long reign.
Scolding and spanking a child helps him to learn. Left to himself, he bring shame to his mother.
When rulers are wicked, their people are too; but good men will live to see the tyrant’s downfall.
Discipline your son and he will give you happiness and peace of mind.
Where there is ignorance of God, the people run wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep His laws!
COMMENTS ON 29:10-18
Proverbs 29:10. One must pause to analyze this verse. It is Hebrew parallelism in which the latter statement is a restatement of the first. Let us rerun the verse in our own understanding of it: The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; they (the bloodthirsty) seek the life of the upright. Why do they do this? Some out of envy (like Cain1 John 3:12). Some because they are rebuked by the upright (like Ahab1 Kings 22:7-8). Some because the upright are an abomination to them (see Proverbs 29:27 of this chapter). Some because they fear the upright (like King Saul1 Samuel 18:5-9; 1 Samuel 24:17-20; 1 Samuel 26:1-2). Some because they can more easily get what the perfect have than they can what others have (see Proverbs 1:11-13). Three times does Psalms 37 refer to the wicked seeking to devour the righteous: The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth (Psalms 37:12); The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as are upright in the way (Psalms 37:14); The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him (Psalms 37:32).
Proverbs 29:11. A fool does not exercise self-control, for self-control is based upon wisdom which he does not have. Therefore, a wise person quiets his spirit when it could erupt, but a fool doesn-’t. Compare Proverbs 14:33: Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; but that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
Proverbs 29:12. This verse pictures a wicked ruler of which there have been many. Both their advisers are wicked (he hearkens to their falsehood), and his servants are wicked. A wicked ruler, wicked counselors, and wicked servants can only add up to a wicked reign.
Proverbs 29:13. Proverbs 22:2 is similar. Whether a man is poor or an oppressor, God has made him (Proverbs 22:2), he lives in God’s world, and he is a recipient of God’s good whether he makes good use or it or not: He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). This does not say that God is pleased with both (or with either).
Proverbs 29:14, There will be the poor in every king’s realm, and the law of God is to care for them: The poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, -thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land (Deuteronomy 15:11). This verse makes a special promise to the king who obeys God’s will in the matter as does Psalms 72:2-3: -He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness. Other factors establishing one’s throne: Kindness and truth (Proverbs 20:28); Righteousness (Proverbs 25:5),
Proverbs 29:15. When children misbehave, they need correction (Correct thy son, and he will give thee restPro 29:17), If you don-’t, if you let him keep on in his ways, he will bring shame to his mother and other heartaches to both parents: A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother (Proverbs 10:1); He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy (Proverbs 17:21); A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him (Proverbs 17:25). In correcting, some merely talk to their children, and others merely whip them. But this verse points out the necessity of doing both properly, for it speaks of the rod (whipping) and of reproof (talking) giving wisdom. Don-’t you want your child to be wise? Then wisely reprove him and wisely whip him. This is Bible: Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:9. A child left to himself is one who is neglected, whose parents have not taught him, have not overseen him, have not been with him, have not loved him, and have not corrected him. Pulpit Commentary: The verb translated -left-’ is used in Job 39:5 of the wild ass left to wander free where it wills. No child is capable of self-rearing. Such neglected offspring causeth shame. His parents who neglected him will be ashamed of him, and his desire to get away from home will probably be matched by their relief to see him go!
Proverbs 29:16. The more wicked those people are, the more sin there will be. Sin spreads like a mighty contagion: Because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many will wax cold (Matthew 24:12). John tells us that there has been a big take-over of this world by sin: The whole world lieth in the evil one (1 John 5:19). Paul speaks of this present evil world (Galatians 1:4). If you follow the crowd, you will be lost, for Jesus said, Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby (Matthew 7:14). Knowing the tendency of mankind to do whatever the crowd does, Exodus 23:2 says, Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest justice. Thank God, there will always be some who will not give in to the ways of the world. They are the righteous. There will always be a Noah or a Jeremiah or an Elijah or a Daniel or a Caleb and Joshua to uphold what is right and who will be spared when the wicked fall: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall surely abide under the shadow of the Almighty…A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked (Psalms 91:1-8).
Proverbs 29:17. Any godly parent is grieved at the wrongdoing of a child. And an undisciplined child will go from bad to worse until his parents-’ nerves can take no more. Correct him, and he will give you rest; yes, and more: he will actually grow out into something good to bring Delight to your heart. Your author observes in his book, Simple, Stimulating Studies in the Proverbs: Some parents have no rest because of the misdeeds of their children. They are always into something, always tearing something up, always breaking something, always doing something the parents don-’t want them to do; in short, they weary the parents going from one thing to another. The right kind of correction…will not only give you rest concerning your child, but the child will actually be a delight to your soul. What a difference!
Proverbs 29:18. The word vision here implies the inspired message of God (often by a living representative of it). When there was not prophet to reveal God’s will to the people or no preacher to hinder their going into sin, people get into sin with nothing to restrain them. We note the license of Eli’s time, when there was no open vision (1 Samuel 3:1); in Asa’s day, when Israel had long been without a teaching priest (2 Chronicles 15:3); and when the impious Ahaz -made Judah naked-’ (2 Chronicles 28:19); or when the people were destroyed by reason of lack of knowledge of Divine things (Hosea 4:6) (Pulpit Commentary). Yet, even in those days there would still be some who would keep the law, and those who did would be blessed of God: Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it (Luke 11:28); If you know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them (John 13:17); He that looketh into the perfect law…and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing (James 1:25).
TEST QUESTIONS OVER 29:10-18
Why do the wicked seek the life of the upright (Proverbs 29:10)?
Self-control is based upon what which a fool lacks (Proverbs 29:11)?
Locate three wicked persons or groups in Proverbs 29:12.
Where did Jesus show that God makes earthly benefits available to both just and unjust (Proverbs 29:13)?
What is God’s promise for the king who properly regards the poor in his realm (Proverbs 29:14)?
According to Proverbs 29:15, where do some parents fail?
Who have been some of the righteous when sin has flourished (Proverbs 29:16)?
Correction of a child can change a parent’s disgust to —-. (Proverbs 29:17).
Comment upon the first statement in Proverbs 29:18.
What are some Bible promises to the obedient (Proverbs 29:18)?
Proverbs 29:19-27
TEXT Proverbs 29:19-27
A servant will not be corrected by words;
For though he understand, he will not give heed.
Seest thou a man that is hasty in words?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child
Shall have him become a son at last.
An angry man stirreth up strife,
And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
A man’s pride shall bring him low;
But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul;
He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
The fear of man bringeth a snare;
But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler’s favor;
But a man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah.
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous;
And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 29:19-27
What kind of person do you envision in Proverbs 29:19?
Our saying, Think before you ……………, is similar to Proverbs 29:20.
Why would Proverbs 29:21 be so?
Find other passages in the Bible on anger to go along with Proverbs 29:22.
Cite some New Testament passages that say the same as Proverbs 29:23.
What does adjuration mean (Proverbs 29:24)?
Illustrate the first statement of Pro 29:25.
What do you understand by Proverbs 29:26?
Is Proverbs 29:27 why people usually change crowds when they become Christians?
PARAPHRASE OF 29:19-27
Sometimes mere words are not enoughdiscipline is needed. For the words may not be heeded.
There is more hope for a fool than for a man of quick temper.
Pamper a servant from childhood, and he will expect you to treat him as a son!
A hot-tempered man starts fights and gets into all kinds of trouble.
Pride ends in a fall, while humility brings honor.
A man who assists a thief must really hate himself! For he knows the consequence but does it anyway.
Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety.
Do you want justice? Don-’t fawn on the judge, but ask the Lord for it.
The good hate the badness of the wicked. The wicked hate the goodness of the good.
COMMENTS ON 29:19-27
Proverbs 29:19. Servants were an uneducated group of persons. Personal gain and advancement held no motivation for them. There were likely times when they would sulk. When they got into this mood, it took more than words to get them going again, Bodily punishment was the only language that would get through to them (A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of foolsPro 26:3), and sometimes not even that worked (A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a foolPro 17:10). Such sullen, unresponding stubbornness might result in his death or his sale. An observation: Such stubbornness is not limited to slaves of long-ago. There are people who will not respond to words of wisdom, for even though they understand, they prefer the preservation of their ego than giving heed to the wisdom of another.
Proverbs 29:20. Yes, there are some who are hasty of speech. They may be nervous, fidgety people to whom a moment of silence is killing and who speak from the top of their heads instead of the bottom their hearts. Such will have many an apology to make throughout life or suffer the loss of friends. Or some are hasty of speech because of not being aware of the problems that can be caused by such utterances. We have a saying, Think before you speak. Some say, think twice before you speak. A quick-tongued person suffers from this verse’s comparison (There is more hope of a fool than of him) as does a conceited man in Proverbs 26:12.
Proverbs 29:21. Delicately bringeth up means to pamper, to spoil, to give one privileges and favors without expecting corresponding responsibilities and obligations. On son, the marginal note reads: The meaning of the word is doubtful, accounting for various translations: ungrateful (Ewald); as a son (American Bible Union); his continuator (Young’s Literal). Clarke observes that such persons are generally forgetful of their obligations, assume the rights and privileges of children, and are seldom good for anything. Isn-’t that true of most people who are delicately brought up, pampered, spoiled? Such boys grow up to be men in name only, and such girls grow up to be poor wives.
Proverbs 29:22. Hebrew parallelism again: angry man and wrathful man; stirreth up and aboundeth; and strife and transgression. Proverbs 15:8 says, A wrathful man stirreth up contention; and Proverbs 28:25 says, He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife. One who is angry is stirred up, and this causes him to say things and to do things that stirs up strife in others. This strife is not usually a passing thing, but it causes transgression to abound, Because of this Ephesians 4:26 says, be ye angry, and sin not. In other words, when angry, take care that you do not sin by what you do and say. How can one keep from sinning further when angry? By taking care of oneself instead of the other fellow: Let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Ephesians 4:26)get yourself under control immediately. Let us remember James 1:20: The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Proverbs 29:23. Each individual will have likes and dislikes, spirit, and desires, but just as Proverbs 29:22 shows that such can get out of control by way of anger, this verse shows that such can get out of control by way of pride. Man’s pride is when he is puffed up, but such actually leads down instead of up. Humility (being of a lowly spirit) actually leads up instead. Others sense a person’s pride and deplore it. So does God. Both are against promoting such. For teaching and instances of this subject, see Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 18:12; Isaiah 66:2; Daniel 4:30-31; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14; Acts 12:23; James 4:6; James 4:10; I. Pet. Proverbs 5:6.
Proverbs 29:24. This is a court scene. The thief is brought in, and the one wronged. The judge has pronounced a curse upon the thief and upon anyone who knows the crime but refuses to divulge the information. He hateth his own soul in that he is bringing a curse upon himself by his action.
Proverbs 29:25. What snare? The snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26). Fearing men caused Abraham to deny that Sarah was his wife (Genesis 12:11-13; Genesis 20:2), some of the Jewish rulers who believed on Jesus not to say openly (John 12:42), Peter to deny Jesus (Matthew 26:69-74) and to withdraw himself from some Gentiles (Galatians 2:12), leaders to compromise the truth (1 Samuel 15:24), weak Christians to recant under persecution (Matthew 13:20-21), etc. This is one of the greatest causes of preachers failing to preach the Word of God as they should.
Proverbs 29:26. The last statement of the verse indicates that people try to buy off the king from condemning them in court. They will do everything they can (legitimate and illegitimate) to secure his favorable verdict, but even if they succeed in doing this, they still have God to deal with. Men may have let Jonah on board, but God still prevailed in his case. Ahab may have gotton Naboth’s vineyard, but God didn-’t let him enjoy it (1 Kings 21:17-19).
Proverbs 29:27. The just and the unjust live in the same world, both eat to sustain physical life, live in houses, etc., but there the comparison ends, for they have adopted altogether different ways of living. The righteous deplore the ways of the wicked (stealing, lying, cheating, drinking, fighting, hating, immorality, etc.). Jesus commended the church at Ephesus: Thou canst not bear evil men (Revelation 2:2). But the wicked deplore the upright just as much, for their ways are a rebuke to them. The wicked have often persecuted the righteous.
TEST QUESTIONS OVER 29:19-27
Proverbs 29:19 reflects what attitude sometimes encountered even today?
What kind of person is often hasty in his words (Proverbs 29:20)?
What often happens when people are pampered in childhood (Proverbs 29:21)?
What does the New Testament say about man’s wrath (Proverbs 29:22)?
Cite other passages of Scripture on pride besides Proverbs 29:23.
Proverbs 29:24 pictures what kind of scene?
Cite Bible instances of Pro 29:25.
Whose favor in Proverbs 29:26 should one be seeking?
What is mutual, according to Proverbs 29:27?