2. Comp. with the first clause of this verse Proverbs 12:14.

the soul] i.e. the desire (Proverbs 6:30, and Proverbs 13:4 below), or appetite. His desire is to inflict violence on others; it shall be fed, or satisfied, by violence inflicted on him. This is more forcible and preserves the parallelism better than the desire of the treacherous is for violence, R.V. marg.

3. keepeth … keepeth] Rather, guardeth … keepeth, R.V., the Heb. words being different. For the sentiment comp. Proverbs 10:19.

5. is loathsome] lit. stinketh. Comp. Ecclesiastes 10:1; Exodus 5:21, where the same Heb. word occurs.

In R.V. marg. an alternative rendering is suggested: causeth shame and bringeth reproach.

6. keepeth] Rather, guardeth, as in Proverbs 13:3 above.

him that is upright in the way] “Heb. uprightness of way,” R.V. marg.

the sinner] “Heb. sin,” R.V. marg.

7. maketh] This rendering, which is retained in R.V. text, has its highest illustration in Christ Himself (Php 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 8:9), and accords with the constant teaching of the N.T. (Php 3:7-9; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Luke 12:21; Revelation 3:17). Some however, with R.V. marg., would render feigneth himself, in both clauses, makes himself out to be what he is not.

8. heareth] i.e. heedeth. Comp. Proverbs 13:1.

rebuke] Rather threatening; ἀπειλήν, LXX.

If wealth has its advantage in enabling its possessor to purchase deliverance from danger and death (as, for example, by paying a ransom to robbers, or a fine or bribe in a court of justice), so has poverty in conferring immunity from the perils by which the rich are threatened: cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.

9. light … lamp] The change of word is doubtless designed. So our Lord is φῶς, and John Baptist λύχνος (John 8:12; John 5:35).

shall be put out] Comp. Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 24:20.

The LXX. add to this verse:

“Deceitful souls go astray in sins;

But the righteous are pitiful and merciful.”

10. Only by pride cometh] Rather, By pride cometh only, R.V. Pride is sure to rouse opposition and lead to contention; whereas wisdom belongs to those who accept advice and avoid disputes.

11. by vanity] i.e. by untrustworthy methods, such as speculation, gambling, high rate of interest with poor security (comp. Proverbs 21:6), in contrast to hard work, by labour (lit. with the hand). The word vanity in this sense of what is unreliable and transitory is a key-word of the Book of Ecclesiastes.

The LXX. and Vulg. render in haste, quick returns, ἐπισπουδαζομένη (with the addition μετὰ ἀνομίας), festinata.

12. a tree of life] See Proverbs 3:18, note.

13. the word] sc. of God, as in Proverbs 16:20. The commandment, in the parallel clause, seems to make this clear, though the reference is not necessarily to the Law of Moses. See Introd. Ch. 1., p. 13.

The R.V. appears to suggest another rendering, handleth a matter negligently, by referring to Proverbs 16:20, where “he that giveth heed unto the word” in R.V. text is “he that handleth a matter wisely,” in R.V. margin, as in A.V. text. With this agrees ὄς καταφρονεῖ πράγματος, LXX. (adding a second form, however, of the proverb).

shall be destroyed] Rather, bringeth destruction upon himself, R.V. text.

The rendering, is bound by it (maketh himself a debtor thereto, R.V. marg.), i.e. cannot escape either from liability or from punishment, has much to commend it.

15. transgressors] Rather, the treacherous, R.V.

hard] rugged, R.V., i.e. harsh and forbidding, like a desert or rocky place (Deuteronomy 21:4) in contrast to the “favour” which “good understanding” “giveth,” or “getteth.” The LXX. render, is in destruction.

16. dealeth] Rather, worketh. He works with knowledge, turning it to good account for beauty and profit, as a cunning artificer does with precious metals, Exodus 31:4-5, where the Heb. word is the same. This, however, is probably intended by dealeth, A.V. Comp. our use of the words deal, dealer, in connection with trade or traffic.

layeth open] Rather, spreadeth, A.V. marg., or spreadeth out, R.V. text, exposes it. “When your money is all in copper you may afford to throw it about, but when it is all in gold you have to be cautious.” Horton.

17. falleth] Hitzig and others, by a slight change of vowels, read bringeth, sc. those who sent him, which contrasts better with the bringing of health, or well-being by the faithful messenger. Comp. Proverbs 25:13.

mischief] Rather, evil, R.V.

This proverb must be read in the light of the then common employment of messengers charged with verbal tidings or instructions. The message would in such case depend greatly for its colour and consequences upon the character of the messenger.

19. but] If with R.V. we retain but, we must understand desire in the first clause in a good sense, as in Proverbs 13:12 : q.d. in spite of the sweetness of good desires accomplished, fools will not forsake evil to attain to it. Balaam’s desire, “let me die the death of the righteous” (Numbers 23:10), would have been “sweet to his soul” in its accomplishment, but it was abomination to him to depart from “the wages of unrighteousness.” (2 Peter 2:15.)

Some, however, would understand the first clause as assigning a reason for what is stated in the second: Because the desire accomplished, &c., therefore it is abomination to fools to depart from the evil on which their heart is set.

20. He that walketh] Or (with a change of Heb. vowel points), Walk with wise men and be wise.

destroyed] Lit. be broken. See Proverbs 11:15, where the same word is rendered shall smart for it. He who is the companion of fools in friendship shall become their companion in destruction. Comp. Proverbs 1:10; Proverbs 1:18.

23. for want of judgment] Rather, by reason of injustice, R.V. The contrast is between substance gained by honest toil and substance lost by injustice: a poor man by hard labour makes his newly cultivated field yield him much; but you may see a rich man brought to ruin by dishonest practices. Comp. James 5:1-6.

24. betimes] Or, diligently, R.V. marg. See Proverbs 1:28 note.