Posted by Jeff Short on October 24, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
– Proverbs 26:16
This group of sluggard sayings finishes with a saying that gets at the root of the lazy man’s problems. He is wise in “his own conceit,” or in his own eyes. The word for
reason means taste, or judgment. It has been translated as
discretion and
understanding. The word refers to what we might call good sense. The number
seven is in excess of the two or three witnesses in the law and the excess points to the fact that their
reason is established, true, and reliable. The sluggard will not receive it, but thinks he is smarter than all who disagree with him. In the face of hard truth, he persists in his own judgment. The lazy man or woman has a stubborn pride that clings to their own excuses and rationalizations as to why they do not work.
Posted by Jeff Short on October 15, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
– Proverbs 26:12
This verse is the last proverb in this group about fools. To be wise in one’s own eyes, or in one’s conceit, is to be proud and right by your own judgment. It is a mark of folly as it is set contrary to the “fear of the Lord” in Proverbs 3:7, which is the very beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). It is not describing the naïve simpleton of low information, but rather the knowledgeable proud who is obstinate in his self-confidence. Being proud of his knowledge makes him harder than a fool.
Posted by Jeff Short on July 23, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
– Proverbs 25:6
Verses 6-7 continue the theme of kings and courtiers. The
presence of the king in this verse obviously continues the link with the previous. These two verses form a better-than saying concerning humility. To be
put … forth or
stand … in the place of great men is to be promoted. The warning here is against self-promotion, as wisdom elsewhere teaches is distasteful (Proverbs 25:27; 27:2). Since the “heart of kings is unsearchable” and therefore their favor never secure, caution and discipline are advised (Proverbs 23:1-8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
– Proverbs 21:24
The wording of this proverb is awkward. The word for
name indicates the reputation or character of a person by figure. The
scorner, or scoffer, is at the far end of the spectrum of fools in Proverbs. They are not simple or ignorant, but
proud and
haughty, which means they obstinately refuse wisdom (Proverbs 9:7-8; 13:3; 15:12). The word for
wrath means outburst of passion. The
scorner is marked by arrogantly pouring out his anger. He is ripe for judgment (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12; 19:29).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
– Proverbs 21:4
The text of this proverb is difficult. The Hebrew words for tillage and lamp are only differentiated by vowel points. We can see the similarity even in the transliteration of each:
nir (tillage) and
ner (lamp). The Septuagint has
lampter (lamp, or lantern), and many translations have followed the Septuagint here and give
plowing as an alternative reading. Knox, translating from the Latin Vulgate, rendered it as “hopes.” This takes “lamp” as a figure, not of the conscience, but of outlook, which is reasonable. Interestingly, plowing can also be a figure for hope, or outlook, and Paul used it this way in 1 Corinthians 9:10. If outlook fits and makes sense of the verse, then it isn’t nearly as difficult as it first appears. Though if I were smarter and more educated, I’m sure I could find more difficulty.
The high look and proud heart refer to arrogance that persists in its own way rather than receiving instruction in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 6:17; 8:13; 30:13). The proverb is denouncing the thoughts of the wicked. They are high thoughts of self-conceit that dismiss and despise the wisdom of God (Psalm 10:4). This is why all the plans, or hopes, and actions of the wicked are tainted and sinful (Proverbs 21:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
– Proverbs 18:12
To be
haughty is to be lofty, or exalted, at least in one’s own eyes. Self-conceit primes one to be brought low (Proverbs 16:18; 26:12; 29:23). The second phrase appears in another proverb where
humility is coupled with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 15:33). Wisdom brings honor, but that path leads through humility (Proverbs 3:16).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
– Proverbs 17:7
The word for
excellent literally means overhanging. It implies excess and here describes
speech that is high and lofty. We would call it big talk, or even boasting. It could be pretentious putting on of airs, or arrogant prattle. The first phrase means such talk is not fitting, or appropriate, to a
fool (Proverbs 26:7). The word for
fool here is not only senseless but also wicked. The same word is used in Psalm 14:1 to describe one who has rejected the first principle of wisdom, the fear of the Lord. Similarly, as the second phrase points out,
lying lips are not becoming to a
prince. A
prince is a ruler and as such a minister of God for righteousness, or justice (Romans 13:1-4). Falsehood in one supposed to uphold truth is a travesty (Proverbs 16:10-13; 12:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
– Proverbs 16:19
This proverb continues with the thought of the previous one. Pride precedes destruction and, therefore, it is better to be humble. The word for
humble means low and the word for
lowly means poor. To
divide the spoil with the proud is to share in the product of their wicked schemes and oppressions (Proverbs 1:8-19). Being oppressed by the proud is better than oppressing with them. Even if being poor, being humble more prepares one for God’s blessing (Proverbs 15:33; James 4:6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
– Proverbs 16:18
The word for
pride means arrogance, as in insolent arrogance. It is human self-confidence that is put with others human attitudes and activities God hates (Proverbs 8:13; 16:5). The word for
destruction means a crushing ruin and
fall is close to a stumbling ruin. The word for
haughty mean exalted, or elevated. It’s descriptive of having a higher view of oneself than justified. Such highness is ripe to be brought low (Proverbs 18:12). It is the opposite of the humility that attains wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 11:2).
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Proverbs 26:16
Posted by Jeff Short on October 24, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
– Proverbs 26:16
This group of sluggard sayings finishes with a saying that gets at the root of the lazy man’s problems. He is wise in “his own conceit,” or in his own eyes. The word for reason means taste, or judgment. It has been translated as discretion and understanding. The word refers to what we might call good sense. The number seven is in excess of the two or three witnesses in the law and the excess points to the fact that their reason is established, true, and reliable. The sluggard will not receive it, but thinks he is smarter than all who disagree with him. In the face of hard truth, he persists in his own judgment. The lazy man or woman has a stubborn pride that clings to their own excuses and rationalizations as to why they do not work.Share this:
Filed under 26, Proverbs · Tagged with Commentary, Lazy, Pride, Proverbs, Sloth, Sluggard