Posted by Jeff Short on January 18, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man the countenance of his friend.
– Proverbs 27:17
This saying is one of the famous sayings in Proverbs. The word for
sharpeneth means to make sharp, as in sharpening a knife, but it can also have a more figurative meaning of making fierce, i.e., a sharp face. Some have keyed on the negative connotation of the figurative usage to give the saying a negative gloss. The saying in its natural meaning fits well with the various Proverbs on friendship, and I take it that way.
Iron to iron depicts a clash that creates friction, heat, and perhaps sparks, but the result of the process is making something sharper and more useful. A dull blade is made better by sharpening and that is the intent of the saying. Man to man, or friend to friend clashes produce friction but also result in sharpening, being made better. This understanding puts the saying in the category of the benefits of good counsel in Proverbs. Pair this saying with Proverbs 27:9 and you get a double-sided picture of true friendship—encouragement and constructive criticism.
Posted by Jeff Short on May 19, 2018 · Leave a Comment
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
– Proverbs 24:6
The word for
counsel means steerage and is put for guidance. The word for
safety means rescue, or deliverance. It is most often translated “salvation.” Receiving wise counsel is part of being wise, or walking in the way of wisdom (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 20:18). This saying highlights the alien nature of wisdom, which we must receive through varying channels. It is not a leaning on our own hearts, but a leaning on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
– Proverbs 22:20
The word for
excellent things has been subjected to various difficult interpretations. It is variously translated as
captain, lord, instrument of musick, great measure, measure, prince, and
excellent things in this proverb. The word means a triple, or at least carries the idea of three in its range, which is why some take the word to indicate the number thirty. There are also extra-biblical incentives to take the word to mean thirty. However, trying to make this collection of proverbs fit the scheme of
Thirty Sayings seems a stretch.
The word has a musical application, a military application, and an application to measurement—third part. Kidner suggested “chief proverbs.” I liked Toy’s summary conclusion in his commentary on verses 17-21, “Notwithstanding the difficulties of the text, the general thought of the paragraph is plain : the pupil is to devote himself to study, in order that his religious life may be firmly established, and that he may be able to give wise counsel to those who seek advice.” [ref]Toy, Crawford Howell. A critical and exegetical commentary on the Book of Proverbs (Kindle Locations 9157-9160). Kindle Edition.[/ref] Sadly, Toy failed to follow his own advice and failed to stay in the way of wisdom as he embraced Darwinian evolution and European higher criticism and went on to reject the inspiration of Scripture and the divinity of Jesus Christ. He failed to keep walking with wise men and found a warm reception among those who praised his intellectual liberalism as courage. [ref]Making a Heretic[/ref]
So what do we do with this word? Verses 17-21 form an introductory paragraph to this collection of proverbs. It’s notable the word is coupled with written, since the transmission of proverbs referred to in the book is primarily oral. We can at least assume excellent things refers to a deliberate and orderly arrangement of the proverbs written. This would be similar in sense to the statement at the conclusion of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14).
The word for counsels means plans and the word for knowledge means understanding, or skill. The purpose of the proverbs in this collection is to enable the learner to make intelligent plans. In other words, wisdom equips the learner to know what to do.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
– Proverbs 21:30
Skill, intelligence, and plans do not stand
against the Lord, nor do they succeed apart from him. You have to fear the Lord to even begin in the way of wisdom, so refusing that is only the way of folly and destruction (Proverbs 1:7). Wicked fools delight in their folly and in turning away from the wisdom of Yahweh. If they do not come to repentance and forsake their own ways, they will meet with judgment and destruction (Proverbs 1:22-33).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 2, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
– Proverbs 20:18
The word for
counsel means advice and the word for
advice literally means steerage, and therefore, guidance. Elsewhere, the Scripture shows the importance of good counsel in going to war (2 Samuel 15:32-37; 16:15-17:23). The image of going to
war, or battle, though not in the purview of ordinary people, illustrates the importance of the principle. The pattern suggested by the proverb is to make plans by seeking sound advice and wise guidance, and then to go to battle (Proverbs 15:22; 24:6; 25:8). The life or death nature of going to war highlights the importance of counsel proportionate to the importance of the decision. So the more important the decision, the more important it is to have good counsel. Contrast this with the fool who has no patience or relish for advice (Proverbs 1:7; 10:8; 12:15; 15:5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
– Proverbs 20:5
The word for
counsel means purpose and refers to inner intentions, or motives. The image of
deep water is also used in Proverbs 18:4, and the meaning is consistent here. It refers to what is hidden, or beneath the surface. (For further explanation of the image, see
commentary on Proverbs 18:4). What lies in the heart of men is hidden, but a
man of understanding discovers it. The word for
understanding means discernment. The point of proverbs is “To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:4). In other words, Proverbs teaches wisdom to those who will receive it. Wisdom discerns motives and true character hidden behind facades, or in this image, in deep water.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
– Proverbs 19:20
The fatherly addresses in the early part of Proverbs give repeated admonition to hear and receive wisdom (Proverbs 1:8; 2:1-9; 8:34-35). This proverb fits with general tenor of Proverbs that wisdom is accessible and offered to all (Proverbs 9:4-6). Though freely offered, wisdom is costly to acquire (Proverbs 2:3-5). Acquiring wisdom requires humbling oneself to
hear counsel and
receive instruction (Proverbs 2:1-2). The word for
counsel means advice and the word for
instruction means discipline. Both come to us from others and we must be willing to receive them. Ultimately, wisdom comes from God and he stores it up for the righteous (Proverbs 2:6-7). Being willing to receive counsel and instruction from others does not mean we merely take in all men’s opinions (Proverbs 14:15; 15:14). Acquiring wisdom is a lifelong pursuit and not a one-time event, but it does lead to blessedness (Proverbs 8:32-35).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
– Proverbs 15:22
The word for
counsel means a company of persons in close deliberation. The assumption about the counsel is that it is wise counsel. Proverbs treats bad counsel in other places (Proverbs 1:10-19; et al.). Fools are marked by either refusing all counsel or foolishly gorging all advice (Proverbs 15:14; 26:12). The word for
multitude means abundance and is put over against having no
counsellors. The word for
established means to set upright, like the erecting of a statue. The essential truth of this proverb is seeking and receiving wise counsel makes our plans better and increases the likelihood of success (Proverbs 11:14; 20:18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
– Proverbs 13:10
The word for
contention means a quarrel or strife. The first phrase reveals how it comes by
pride, or stubborn arrogance. The proud bringer of strife is identified as a scorner (Proverbs 21:24). They will not receive counsel because they know best (Proverbs 12:15; 1:7). This is shown to be foolish by the contrast with
wisdom in the last phrase. Wisdom is frequently described as instruction or correction (Proverbs 1:2-3, 23; 3:11). Acquiring wisdom necessarily means listening to and receiving good counsel, instruction, and correction (Proverbs 19:20; 20:18; 25:8).
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Proverbs 27:17
Posted by Jeff Short on January 18, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man the countenance of his friend.
This saying is one of the famous sayings in Proverbs. The word for sharpeneth means to make sharp, as in sharpening a knife, but it can also have a more figurative meaning of making fierce, i.e., a sharp face. Some have keyed on the negative connotation of the figurative usage to give the saying a negative gloss. The saying in its natural meaning fits well with the various Proverbs on friendship, and I take it that way.– Proverbs 27:17
Iron to iron depicts a clash that creates friction, heat, and perhaps sparks, but the result of the process is making something sharper and more useful. A dull blade is made better by sharpening and that is the intent of the saying. Man to man, or friend to friend clashes produce friction but also result in sharpening, being made better. This understanding puts the saying in the category of the benefits of good counsel in Proverbs. Pair this saying with Proverbs 27:9 and you get a double-sided picture of true friendship—encouragement and constructive criticism.
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Filed under 27, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Counsel, Friends, Proverbs