1. hardeneth his neck] like an obstinate and refractory ox. The same phrase occurs in Deuteronomy 10:16; 2 Kings 17:14. Comp. the similar phrase, stiff-necked, or hard-necked (the Heb. root being the same) Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 9:6; Acts 7:51 (σκληροτράχηλοι); and for other figurative expressions drawn from the use of oxen, Jeremiah 31:18; Acts 26:14.

destroyed] Rather, broken, R.V., as in Proverbs 6:15, A.V.

2. in authority] This rendering is supported by the parallelism, but it is relegated to the margin in R.V. The rendering, increased, R.V. text, A.V. marg., gives the more usual meaning of the Heb. word, See Proverbs 28:28, and Proverbs 29:16 below.

the wicked] Or, a wicked man, R.V. The word is singular, but may be taken with A.V. collectively, ἀρχόντων δὲ ἀσεβῶν, LXX.; cum impii sumserint principatum, Vulg.

3. wisdom] regarded, as the second clause of the verse shews, as leading to purity of life. Comp. Proverbs 2:10; Proverbs 2:16.

spendeth] Rather, wasteth, R.V. ἀπολεῖ, LXX. Comp. διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ … ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ τῶν πορνῶν, Luke 15:13; Luke 15:30.

4. receiveth] The R.V., exacteth, is scarcely an improvement, for it is enough to “overthrow the land” that the king be open to receive gifts. The Heb., a man of offerings, will bear either sense. The rendering of R.V. marg., that imposeth tribute, sacrifices the contrast in the two members of the proverb, between the impartial administration of justice and the venality and corruption which are the curse of Oriental courts.

6. a snare] in which, though perhaps he laid it for others (Psalm 9:15-16), he himself shall be taken, and so have sorrow, in contrast to the “joy and singing” of the righteous.

7. the cause] the judicial cause in a court of law. Comp. Deuteronomy 17:8, where the same Heb. word is rendered plea.

regardeth not] Or, hath not understanding, R.V. Either does not take the trouble, as the righteous does, to look into the case; or, has not the moral perception to grasp its bearings.

8. bring a city into a snare] Rather, set a city on fire, A. V. marg., or, in a flame, R.V.; ἐξέκαυσαν, LXX. Comp. Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 26:21; and, for an illustration of the proverb, the story of Sheba the son of Bichri and the wise woman, 2 Samuel 20.

9. whether he rage &c.] This makes the fool the subject, as is more clearly brought out in R.V. marg., He rageth and laugheth and there is no rest. In R.V. text, however, the wise man is made the subject, whether he be angry or laugh, whether he seeks to bring the controversy to an end by severity or by banter, he will fail. There is no coming to terms with a fool, either by threats or by persuasion.

10. seek] i.e. care for, as R.V. marg. Comp. Psalm 142:4 [Hebrews 5], where however the Hebrew word, seek, is not the same as here. It is more in accordance with the use of the phrase to seek the life, to render, with R.V. text,

The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect:

And as for the upright they seek his life.

The LXX. however has: οἱ δὲ εὐθεῖς εὐθεῖς ἐκζητήσουσι ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; and the Vulg. justi autem quærunt animam ejus.

11. mind] Lit. spirit; i.e. passion, or anger, R.V., θυμόν, LXX. keepeth it in till afterwards] Rather, keepeth it back and stilleth it, R.V.; ταμιεύεται κατὰ μέρος, LXX.

12. Comp.

“As is the judge of his people, so are his ministers;

And as is the ruler of the city, such are all they that dwell therein.”

Sir 10:2.

13. deceitful man] Rather, oppressor. The rendering usurer, A.V. marg., which follows the LXX. δανειστής, and Vulg. creditor, restricts the reference to one form of oppression.

lighteneth both their eyes] i.e. with the light of life, Psalm 13:3 [Hebrews 4]. Comp. “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” Matthew 5:45; and see ch. Proverbs 22:2.

15. left to himself] Comp. 1 Kings 1:6.

16. are multiplied] “Or, are in authority,” R.V. marg. See Proverbs 29:2, note.

shall see] shall look upon, R.V., with thoughtful satisfaction. Comp. Psalm 37:34; Psalm 112:8.

18. vision … law] “The vision is the actual contact between God and the human spirit, which is the necessary condition of any direct revelation; the law is the recorded result of such a revelation, either passed from mouth to mouth by tradition or written permanently in a book. We may then a little amplify the proverb for the sake of exposition: ‘Where there is no living revelation, no perceived contact between man and God, there the bonds which hold society together are relaxed and broken; but he that holds by the revelation that has been given, obeying the law, so far as it has been presented to him, happy is he.’ ” Horton.

It was this keeping the law, as they had received it, which was enjoined upon the Jews by the last of their prophets, in view of the coming centuries during which there should be no vision. Malachi 4:4.

perish] Rather, break loose, as the same word is rendered in Exodus 32:25, R.V.; where, as here in the marg., A.V. has, is made naked. In this place R.V. renders, suitably enough, cast off restraint; but it seems desirable to adopt the same rendering in both places, because the historical incident affords a good and possibly an intended illustration of the proverb.

19. words] He needs sterner measures.

answer] i.e. respond in work and action: give heed, R.V.; οὐχ ὑπακούσεται, LXX. The Vulg. appears to understand it, as do some commentators, literally—he will not even deign to answer you—quia quod dicis intelligit, et respondere contemnit.

20. Comp. James 1:26.

21. his son] The meaning of the word which occurs only here is doubtful (see R.V. marg.), but this is the most probable rendering of it. The Vulg., as referred to in R.V. marg., has sentiet eum contumacem, shall have him become refractory. The LXX. give the proverb differently: “He that lives delicately from his youth shall be a servant, and shall be grieved with himself (ὀδυνηθήσεται ἐφʼ ἑαυτῷ) at the last.”

22. furious] Rather, wrathful, R.V. Comp. Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 28:25.

23. honour shall uphold, &c.] Rather, He that is lowly in spirit shall obtain honour. Lowly is better than humble (A.V.) in the second clause, because the Heb. word is from the same root as the word bring low, in the first clause.

It is substantially the same proverb as that used more than once by our Lord:

Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled;

And he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14.

24. cursing] Rather, the adjuration, sc. of the judge (Leviticus 5:1), or of the owner of the lost property (Jdg 17:2), who puts him on his oath to divulge if he has knowledge of the theft.

bewrayeth] Rather, uttereth, as the same Heb. word is rendered both in A.V. and R.V. in Leviticus 5:1.

25. shall be safe] “Heb. shall be set on high” (marg. of A.V. and R.V.), as on an inaccessible rock, or in an impregnable fortress. Comp. Proverbs 18:10.

27. the just] Rather, the righteous, R.V.