Proverbs 25:2

Posted by on July 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment 

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
– Proverbs 25:2

Verses 2-7 form the first saying and it deals with kings and counsellors. Verse 2 is a parallelism that compares and contrasts God and kings. The two phrases have the same Hebrew word at the beginning, translated glory and honor. The same Hebrew word is at the end of the phrases, translated as thing and matter. The middle of the phrases parallel with differences—God and kings, and conceal and search out. The word for glory and honor means weight, or heaviness. It can refer to a great quantity or majesty. The word for conceal means to hide, while the word for search out means to penetrate, or investigate. Because God has all wisdom, he keeps secret counsels (Deuteronomy 29:29). The glory of kings is lesser and derivative, but it is manifest in seeking counsel and investigating a matter fully (Deuteronomy 13:14; Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6).

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Proverbs 20:29

Posted by on January 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment 

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
– Proverbs 20:29

Generations gaps have existed as long as old and young have been on the earth. The law commanded the aged be honored (Leviticus 19:32), and wisdom teaches the gray head is a crown, if it is joined to an upright life (Proverbs 16:31). The word for strength means vigor and it is an adornment for young men. Each age and station in life has its peculiar benefits. The elder are to be an example and teach the younger (Titus 2:1-5), while the younger are to honor the elder, learn from them, and strive to be exemplary (Titus 2:6-8). The gray head also indicates a long life, and so one who has lived long on the earth has gained some wisdom and it should be recognized (Job 32:1-9). The young and the old should complement one another, work together, and learn from one another.

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Proverbs 19:11

Posted by 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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Proverbs 17:6

Posted by on September 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment 

Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
– Proverbs 17:6

This proverb highlights generational blessings that come with wisdom (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20). The cutting off of family is a curse to the wicked (Psalm 109:13-15). The blessed man has family that brings joy and honor (Psalm 127:1-5; 128:1-6).

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