Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET
CHAPTER 17
1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pro 7:14; Lev 2:3; 7:31).
with—literally, "of."
strife—its product, or attendant.
2. (Compare Pro 14:35).
causeth shame— (Pro 10:5).
shall...inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Num 27:4, 7).
3. God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; 66:10) the heart.
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
5. (Compare Pro 14:31).
glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pro 13:22; Psa 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pro 16:12-13).
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pro 18:16; 19:6).
9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25).
a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
13. (Compare Psa 7:4; 35:12).
evil—injury to another (Pro 13:21).
14. letteth...water—as a breach in a dam.
before...meddled with—before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
15. abomination...Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Pro 3:32; 12:2).
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pro 3:16; 14:24).
17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
18. (Compare Pro 6:1-5; 11:15).
in the presence, etc.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
19. strife—contention is, and leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his gate—gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh—or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pro 8:36).
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
21. (Compare Pro 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
22. (Compare Pro 14:30; 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
medicine—or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth—as if the marrow were exhausted.
23. a gift...bosom—Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
to pervert—that is, by bribery.
24. Wisdom...him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Pro 17:21; 10:1).
26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.