Posted by Jeff Short on November 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
– Proverbs 19:11
The word for
discretion means prudence, or good sense. The phrase,
deferreth his anger, literally means long of nose. It is an idiom that means long, or slow, to get angry. The proverb is not describing a forgiving man, but rather a man that overlooks, or shrugs off, a personal offense. He is not easy to make angry, nor is he quick to respond to insults. The word for
glory means ornament and speaks of beauty in the sense of being finely adorned. Wisdom is marked by control of oneself, not being quick tempered, and here being thick skinned (Proverbs 14:29; 16:32). This proverb also highlights the moral beauty of self-control (Proverbs 20:3) and contrasts with the ugliness where it is wanting (Proverbs 25:28).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
– Proverbs 19:10
The word for
delight means luxury. The first phrase refers to a fool who has obtained wealth. Such a situation is not seemly, or beautiful, fitting. The second phrase gives a worse condition—a
servant who has gained power to
rule over princes. It is not good for someone to come to wealth or power unless they have done so by gaining wisdom (Proverbs 17:2). This proverb is like others that point out unfitting or absurd conditions (Proverbs 17:7; 26:1; 30:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
– Proverbs 19:9
A false witness is an abomination to God and forbidden strictly by the law (Proverbs 6:16-19; Deuteronomy 19:16-21). This proverb is the same as Proverbs 19:5, except for the consequence, perish. The word mean be destroyed and all liars shall meet just judgment, in this life or in the one to come (Revelation 21:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
– Proverbs 19:8
The word for
wisdom here means heart and is sometimes translated
mind, or
understanding. It can be thought of as good sense. The word for
understanding refers to ability to discern and distinguish between (1 Kings 3:9). Though wisdom brings many benefits, acquiring wisdom is its own reward (Proverbs 8:35-36). The proverb means you do yourself well by seeking, acquiring, and retaining wisdom (Proverbs 3:18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
– Proverbs 19:7
The kin of the
poor are said to
hate him. His
friends have even less reason or attachment and so abandon him as well. The word for
pursueth means to run after, and he has nothing to offer them but his
words, or pleadings (Proverbs 18:23). The poor man has no leverage or natural attraction for people, so he is hated by all (Proverbs 14:20). This proverb furthers the observations of Proverbs 19:4, 6.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
– Proverbs 19:6
Commentators vary whether this proverb is negative or positive. The word for
many means abundant, indicating a large number. Generally, having many friends in Proverbs is negative (see
commentary on Proverbs 18:24). The
prince and
him that giveth gifts both have a power to give and do for others, so men naturally are drawn to them (Proverbs 29:26). The poor have fewer friends because they have no power to draw to themselves (Proverbs 19:4). The emphasis on friendship in Proverbs doesn’t have to do with being poor or rich, but it is better to have fewer and truer friends (Proverbs 17:17).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
– Proverbs 19:5
The word for
unpunished means to be clear, or innocent. It has a judicial gloss here, since
false witness has legal connotations.
False witness is one of the hated abominations in Proverbs 6:16-19. The law forbids false witness and prescribes strict punishment for it (Exodus 20:16; 23:1; Deuteronomy 19:16). A false witness may go unchecked in this life, but this proverb promises he
shall not escape (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
– Proverbs 19:4
The word for
maketh means to add.
Wealth adds many
friends, or continues to add them. The word for
friends is a common and general word that can cover a range of associations. The same word is translated
neighbor in the second phrase. The contrast indicates the poor lose friends as the rich add them (Proverbs 14:20). This proverb is a wisdom observation and complements Proverbs 18:24.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
– Proverbs 19:3
The word for
perverteth means to twist, or ruin. The sense of the first phrase is that a man given to folly comes to ruin (Proverbs 13:6). The word for
fretteth means to boil, or be enraged. A man’s folly is his own undoing and it kindles his anger against God.
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Proverbs 19:11
Posted by Jeff Short on November 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
The word for discretion means prudence, or good sense. The phrase, deferreth his anger, literally means long of nose. It is an idiom that means long, or slow, to get angry. The proverb is not describing a forgiving man, but rather a man that overlooks, or shrugs off, a personal offense. He is not easy to make angry, nor is he quick to respond to insults. The word for glory means ornament and speaks of beauty in the sense of being finely adorned. Wisdom is marked by control of oneself, not being quick tempered, and here being thick skinned (Proverbs 14:29; 16:32). This proverb also highlights the moral beauty of self-control (Proverbs 20:3) and contrasts with the ugliness where it is wanting (Proverbs 25:28).– Proverbs 19:11
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