1. grievous words] More exactly, a grievous word, R.V.

2. useth knowledge aright] Or, uttereth, &c. R.V. Lit. maketh good knowledge, i.e. turns it to good account, makes the best of it. Comp. “they make goodly (lit. as here, make good) images or pillars,” Hosea 10:1.

The contrast is between the good use of knowledge which adds to its usefulness, and the reckless pouring forth of folly which increases its hurtfulness; between the pure stream flowing in useful channels, and the pestilential flood bursting forth unrestrained. Comp. Proverbs 13:16, and Proverbs 15:28 below.

3. beholding] Rather, keeping watch upon, R.V. σκοπεύουσι, LXX. The word is commonly used of a watchman (1 Samuel 14:16; 2 Samuel 13:34; 2 Samuel 18:24), and calls up the figure of the Almighty observing, as it were, from His lofty watch-tower in heaven all the doings of the dwellers upon earth. The same word is rendered, looketh well to, Proverbs 31:27.

4. wholesome] See Proverbs 14:30, where the same Heb. word is rendered sound, and note there, and comp. ὑγιαίνοντες λόγοι, 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13, and λόγος ὑγιής, Titus 2:8. R.V. marg. gives, the healing of (caused by) the tongue. So ἴασις γλώσσης, LXX.; lingua placabilis, Vulg.

a breach in] Better, a breaking of, R.V.

5. is prudent] Rather, becometh prudent, by “regarding reproof.”

7. doeth not so] So R.V. text, with the alternative in the marg. is not stedfast, or right. Maurer, however, renders (repeating disperse from the first clause) that which is not right; and compares the use of the same Heb. word, in the phrases, “thou hast well spoken,” “speak right,” “speak well:” Exodus 10:29; Numbers 27:7; Numbers 36:5.

8. See Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 11:4; Hebrews 11:6.

10. Correction is grievous unto] Rather, There is grievous correction for, as R.V.

11. Hell and destruction] Sheol and Abaddon with “The grave,” and “Destruction” in the marg. R.V. In their preface the Revisers explain that “with a view to obviate inevitable misunderstanding,” they “have left in the historical narratives the rendering (of A.V.) ‘the grave,’ or ‘the pit,’ with a marginal note, ‘Heb. Sheol,’ to indicate that it does not signify the place of burial; while in the poetical writings they have put most commonly ‘Sheol’ in the text, and ‘the grave’ in the margin.”

In like manner, “Abaddon, which has hitherto been known to the English reader of the Bible only from the New Testament (Revelation 9:11), has been introduced in three passages (Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11; Proverbs 27:20), where a proper name appeared to be required for giving vividness and point.” Comp. for the thought, Job 26:6; Psalm 139:1-16.

12. one that reproveth him] Rather, to be reproved, R.V.

14. seeketh … feedeth on] The one delights in the active pursuit of knowledge, which ever creates in those who find it a craving for more; the other lies down like a satiated animal, and feeds and ruminates on the folly, which quenches all high desire.

18. strife … strife] Contention … strife, R.V., to indicate that the Heb. words are different.

19. a hedge of thorns] which may be either of his own making (Proverbs 24:30-31), or of his own imagining (Proverbs 22:13).

made plain] “Heb. raised up as a causey” (archaic form of causeway), A.V. marg.; made a high way, R.V. Comp. Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 62:10, where the same Heb. word occurs.

20. despiseth] and so maketh her sad, in latent contrast with the first clause of the verse.

21. wisdom] Lit. heart, as in Proverbs 11:12.

walketh uprightly] Lit. maketh straight his going. The parallelism consists in the contrast between the reckless “joy” with which the heartless fool revels in his “folly,” and the care and caution with which a man of understanding makes straight his way. Comp. βλέπετε ἀκριβως πῶς περιπατεῖτε, μὴ ὡς ἄσοφοι, ἀλλʼ ὡς σοφοί, Ephesians 5:15.

23. by] Rather, in. The reference is rather to the satisfaction found in the ready answer itself, the “word in due season,” as he utters it, than to any fruit which comes to him “by” it.

24. above] Rather, upward. Upward or downward the path of man must tend.

25. destroy] Rather, root up, R.V., in contrast with establish in the next clause.

widow] As typical of the humble and poor. Comp. Psalm 68:5, and for the sentiment 1 Peter 5:5.

26. thoughts of the wicked … pleasant words] Lit. devices of evil … words of pleasantness. The contrast is between these, and then further between the former, as “abomination to Jehovah,” and the latter as “pure,” and therefore acceptable to Him. There is possibly, as Maurer suggests, a sacrificial reference (“sensu Levitico”); comp. Proverbs 15:8 above and “a pure offering,” Malachi 1:11.

27. gifts] The proverb, though universal in its moral, is Oriental in its form. Gifts “play a very important part in the social life of the East” (see Smith’s Dict. of Bible, Gift). Hence they form at once the bait by which “he that is greedy of gain” is lured, as Gehazi was, to the “troubling of his own house,” and the test, in the lofty disregard of them, of incorruptible honour and integrity.

29. Comp. John 9:31.

30. The light of the eyes] This is sometimes understood to mean the beaming eyes of kindly regard with which others look upon us (comp. the phrase “the light of the countenance,” Psalm 4:6 [Hebrews 7]; Proverbs 16:15). “We all want to see that light in the eyes of our friends, which rejoices the heart,” Horton. Occurring, however, in a proverb, the phrase may well have a wider meaning: whatever gives light acts as a luminary (the Heb. word is rather light-bearer, φωστήρ, comp. Genesis 1:14-16, than light, φῶς) to the eyes, casting light and brightness upon them, extends through them its influence to the heart; just as, in the following clause, whatever charms the ear (lit. good hearing), be it “good tidings,” R.V., or the pleasant voice of a friend, or the tender accents of affection, or the sweet strains of music, refreshes and invigorates the whole bodily frame. By the gateway of the eye and of the ear alike the citadel of the heart may be reached for good.

31. of life] i.e. which tends to life. So, the instruction of wisdom=the instruction which leads to, or bestows wisdom, Proverbs 15:33 below.

32. understanding] Lit. heart. Comp. void of wisdom (Lit. heart), Proverbs 15:21, above, and Proverbs 2:2, note.

33. of wisdom] See Proverbs 15:31, note.

before honour &c.] Comp. Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14.