Posted by Jeff Short on October 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
– Proverbs 18:4
Interpretations of this proverb vary. How you understand the parallel governs the interpretation. If the two phrases are antithetical, then “words of a man’s mouth” and “wellspring of wisdom” are opposites. Then, “deep waters,” has a negative meaning contrasted with the positive, “flowing brook.” If the parallel is complementary, then the second phrase continues and expands, or amplifies, the first. This makes “the words of a man’s mouth” and “the wellspring of wisdom” to be synonymous, and so on.
Many commentators take one of these two tracks with the proverb, and more seem to favor the complementary, positive interpretation. Alternatively, we can view this proverb as a conditional statement, an if/then statement. Then we take the first phrase as neutral, but stating a universal truth. The second phrase gives the result of a condition met. So let’s take this view and see the point of the proverb differently than the other two.
The figures used in this proverb are used elsewhere in Proverbs and usually with a positive meaning (Proverbs 10:11; 13:14; 16:22). The first phrase here has a couple of differences. The “words of a man’s mouth” is unqualified and unmodified. In Proverbs 10:11, it is the “mouth of a righteous man.” In Proverbs 13:14, it is the “law of the wise,” and in Proverbs 16:22, “understanding” is the “wellspring.” Also, the figure “deep waters” is not use in those other proverbs. It is used in one other place (Proverbs 20:5). If positive, it is assumed that “deep waters” refers to abundance and even an inexhaustible supply. However, the use in Proverbs 20:5 has a different gloss, where it means hidden and inaccessible.
Accounting for the lack of qualification and interpreting the figure consistently with Proverbs 20:5, the first phrase is not about the good or bad of the “words,” but rather is stating the truth that our words come from within. Our spoken words are connected to and come from the heart, or mind (Proverbs 12:23; 15:7, 28; 16:23; 18:2). The condition is met in the second phrase. If our hearts are a “wellspring of wisdom,” then our words will be refreshing and life-giving, as “a flowing brook.”
The point of the proverb is that our words will not rise above the level of our hearts. If foolishness or evil is in our hearts, then they will come out of our mouths (Proverbs 6:14, 18; 12:20, 23; 19:3; 26:25). When wisdom is in our hearts, our words will be wise and helpful (Proverbs 14:33; 15:7, 14, 28; 16:21, 23). The prescription is to get and keep wisdom in our hearts (Proverbs 2:2, 10; 3:3, 5; 4:4, 21; 6:21; 7:3; 10:8; et al).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
– Proverbs 17:24
Solomon repeatedly told his son to hear instruction of wisdom, in order to gain wisdom, in the opening fatherly addresses of Proverbs. A man of
understanding pursues
wisdom and keeps it
before him in the sense of concentrating on instruction (Proverbs 15:14; 18:15). The
fool is not fixed on the instruction of wisdom. He has no sense of the value of it, nor the patient and diligent search required to obtain it (Proverbs 17:16; 2:3-5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
– Proverbs 17:16
Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes the value of wisdom surpassing silver and gold (Proverbs 2:4; 3:14; 8:10, 19; 16:16; et al). Wisdom’s value surpasses that of fine gold and, therefore, cannot be obtained by silver and gold. The fool doesn’t understand wisdom and thinks it can be bought and had quickly. The fool is far too distracted to patiently pursue wisdom (Proverbs 17:24). The word for
heart usually means mind, but it can refer to will and emotions. Sometimes all these are included. This is probably one of those instances where all the meaning is comprehended and so states the
fool has no mind, will, or desire for wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
– Proverbs 16:20
The word for
matter means a word, or something spoken. Here it refers to instruction, and we may infer it is the instruction of wisdom. The first phrase speaks of receiving instruction
wisely, or prudently. The second phrase promises the blessing of the Lord. If a man receives the instruction of wisdom well, he will be blessed of the Lord (Proverbs 13:15; 19:8; 24:3-5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
– Proverbs 16:16
Verse 16 starts a new group of proverbs themed around general wisdom. This group goes through verse 30 and touches on general wisdom topics, e.g., wealth, speech, work, etc. The word for
better means good in its root form and is used here comparatively. The second phrase of this proverb is likewise comparative in choosing to
get understanding over
silver. Comparison is common in the Proverbs and it means the things compared are not antithetical. So here, wisdom and wealth are compared, but not shown to be opposites. The proverb states it’s
better, or more important, to seek and acquire
wisdom than
gold and
silver.
Proverbs mentions many things better than wealth: righteousness or justice (Proverbs 15:27; 16:8); family love (Proverbs 15:17; 17:1); and honesty and integrity (Proverbs 19:1, 22). Proverbs emphatically teaches wisdom is better than wealth (Proverbs 3:15-18; 8:10-11, 19). Choose wisdom above all, whether wealth comes or not (Proverbs 4:7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
– Proverbs 15:33
Proverbs begins with the root issue of acquiring wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). There is no wisdom without the
fear of the Lord. Fools do not want the
fear of the Lord and therefore do not acquire wisdom, though they try to get it other ways (Proverbs 17:16). The word for
instruction means discipline, or training. So the
fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of the way of wisdom, but it is the whole course. Acquiring wisdom requires
humility, and that is the only way to the honor wisdom brings (Proverbs 3:16). The contrast is pride that refuses reproofs and goes on to destruction (Proverbs 18:12; 29:23).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
– Proverbs 14:33
The word for
resteth means to settle down or repose. The
heart, or mind, of him who has discernment retains a store of
wisdom. In light of the parallel, the first phrase also indicates that wisdom is held within with reserve and quietness, not boasting. The contrast points to the
fools who thoughtlessly pour out what they believe is wisdom but is actually foolishness (Proverbs 12:16, 23; 13:16; 15:2, 28; 29:11). Solomon elsewhere noted that a fool’s words and actions continually identifies him as a fool (Ecclesiastes 10:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
– Proverbs 14:8
Wisdom is to
understand, which means to separate mentally. The
prudent shows wisdom in examining his
way. He considers well and chooses carefully his way (Proverbs 2:9; 14:15). The word for
deceit means a fraud or treachery. This is the way of
fools (Proverbs 11:18). They search for short-cuts and back doors. They are quick to use deceit to gain their ends, so they go in a false way.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
– Proverbs 14:6
The
scorner is a special type of fool in Proverbs. The word means to mock and includes the idea of arrogance. His disdain of correction is a chief obstacle in finding wisdom (Proverbs 9:7-8), and it is why he will not go to the wise (Proverbs 15:12). He fails to find wisdom, not because it cannot be found, but rather because he despises instruction and does not fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Ultimately, the scorner comes to judgment (Proverbs 3:34; 19:29). The word for
easy in the contrasting phrase means lightness and trifling. To have understanding is to have discernment. Here it is to find, or acquire,
knowledge (Proverbs 8:9; 17:24).
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Proverbs 18:4
Posted by Jeff Short on October 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Interpretations of this proverb vary. How you understand the parallel governs the interpretation. If the two phrases are antithetical, then “words of a man’s mouth” and “wellspring of wisdom” are opposites. Then, “deep waters,” has a negative meaning contrasted with the positive, “flowing brook.” If the parallel is complementary, then the second phrase continues and expands, or amplifies, the first. This makes “the words of a man’s mouth” and “the wellspring of wisdom” to be synonymous, and so on.– Proverbs 18:4
Many commentators take one of these two tracks with the proverb, and more seem to favor the complementary, positive interpretation. Alternatively, we can view this proverb as a conditional statement, an if/then statement. Then we take the first phrase as neutral, but stating a universal truth. The second phrase gives the result of a condition met. So let’s take this view and see the point of the proverb differently than the other two.
The figures used in this proverb are used elsewhere in Proverbs and usually with a positive meaning (Proverbs 10:11; 13:14; 16:22). The first phrase here has a couple of differences. The “words of a man’s mouth” is unqualified and unmodified. In Proverbs 10:11, it is the “mouth of a righteous man.” In Proverbs 13:14, it is the “law of the wise,” and in Proverbs 16:22, “understanding” is the “wellspring.” Also, the figure “deep waters” is not use in those other proverbs. It is used in one other place (Proverbs 20:5). If positive, it is assumed that “deep waters” refers to abundance and even an inexhaustible supply. However, the use in Proverbs 20:5 has a different gloss, where it means hidden and inaccessible.
Accounting for the lack of qualification and interpreting the figure consistently with Proverbs 20:5, the first phrase is not about the good or bad of the “words,” but rather is stating the truth that our words come from within. Our spoken words are connected to and come from the heart, or mind (Proverbs 12:23; 15:7, 28; 16:23; 18:2). The condition is met in the second phrase. If our hearts are a “wellspring of wisdom,” then our words will be refreshing and life-giving, as “a flowing brook.”
The point of the proverb is that our words will not rise above the level of our hearts. If foolishness or evil is in our hearts, then they will come out of our mouths (Proverbs 6:14, 18; 12:20, 23; 19:3; 26:25). When wisdom is in our hearts, our words will be wise and helpful (Proverbs 14:33; 15:7, 14, 28; 16:21, 23). The prescription is to get and keep wisdom in our hearts (Proverbs 2:2, 10; 3:3, 5; 4:4, 21; 6:21; 7:3; 10:8; et al).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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Filed under 18, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Proverbs, Speech, Wisdom