Proverbs

Proverbs 29

27 verses · Wisdom · Old Testament

1He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. 2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down. 5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad. 7The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge. 8Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. 9If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace. 10The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. 11A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. 12If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked. 13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both. 14The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever. 15The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. 16When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. 18Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed. 19A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond. 20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end. 22An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin. 23A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. 24Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. 25The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe. 26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh. 27A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

Commentary

No commentary on this chapter yet.

What others are saying

4 commentators · 106 notes on this chapter

Matthew HenryEnglish Puritan / Nonconformist · 1708–171426

Writes as a pastor rather than a critic. Expect devotional and practical application over historical or linguistic analysis, read through a Reformed covenantal frame — and expect the Old Testament to be read forward toward Christ throughout.

Why this voice is here: The most widely read English commentary for three centuries. Included as a baseline: where Henry and a modern voice diverge, the divergence itself is usually the interesting part.

v. 2

This is what was said before, Pro 28:12, Pro 28:28. 1. The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be…

v. 3

Both the parts of this verse repeat what has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of them will be enlarged from each other. 1. Be it observed, to the honour of a virtuous young man, that he loves wisdom, he is a philosopher (for that…

v. 4

Here is, 1. The happiness of a people under a good government. The care and business of a prince should be to establish the land, to maintain its fundamental laws, to settle the minds of his subjects and make them easy, to secure their liberties and…

John GillParticular Baptist / High Calvinist · 1746–176327

The most exhaustive and the most doctrinally committed here. Expect high — even supralapsarian — Calvinism applied consistently, and unusually heavy use of rabbinic and Talmudic sources for Jewish context. Where a passage bears on election or the will, Gill will read it in one direction, and knowing that in advance is the point.

Why this voice is here: The strongest Calvinist reading available in the public domain, and the best on Jewish background. Read alongside Clarke, not instead of him — between them you get both sides of the argument.

v. 1

He that being often reported hardeneth his neck,.... Or "a man of reproofs" (d); either a man that takes upon him to be a censurer and reprover of others, and is often at that work, and yet does those things himself which he censures and reproves in others…

v. 2

When the righteous are in authority,.... Or "are increased" (g); either in number or in riches, or in power and dominion; are set in high places, and have the exercise of civil government and the execution of the laws in their hands; for the protection of…

v. 3

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father,.... He that is a philosopher, especially a religious one, that not only loves and seeks after natural wisdom, but moral wisdom and knowledge; and more particularly evangelical wisdom, Christ the Wisdom of God, who is…

Keil & DelitzschGerman Lutheran, conservative-critical · 1861–187527

The technical one, and Old Testament only. Expect Hebrew grammar, textual argument, and direct engagement with nineteenth-century critical scholarship — closer to a scholarly apparatus than a devotional read. Where a modern critic claims a text is late or composite, this is where the conservative counter-argument was made.

Why this voice is here: Old Testament only, and heavy going — but the place to look when someone asserts a passage cannot mean what it appears to.

v. 1

A general ethical proverb here follows: A man often corrected who hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly go to ruin without remedy. Line second = Pro 6:15. The connection אישׁ תּוכחות must make the nearest impression on a reader of the Book of Proverbs that they…

v. 2

The general ethical proverb is here followed by one that is political: 2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; And when a godless man ruleth, the people mourn. Regarding 'בּרבות צדּ (Aquila rightly, ἐν τῷ πληθῦναι δικαίους), vid., at Pro…

v. 3

This political proverb is now followed by one of general ethics: 3 A man who loveth wisdom delighteth his father; And he who keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. Line first is a variation of Pro 10:1. אישׁ־אהב has, according to rule, the…

Jamieson, Fausset & BrownScottish Presbyterian / Reformed · 187126

The concise option. Three authors split the canon, so the voice shifts between sections. Expect brief, sober, conservative notes that resolve difficulties rather than dwelling on them — useful for orientation, thinner than Gill or Clarke where a passage is genuinely contested.

Why this voice is here: The quickest way to see what the mainstream Reformed reading of a passage is. Start here, then go to Gill or Clarke when it matters.

v. 2

(Compare Pro 11:10; Pro 28:28). in authority--(Compare Margin), increased in power.

v. 3

(Compare Pro 4:6-7; Pro 10:1, &c.).

v. 4

by judgment--that is, righteous decisions, opposed to those procured by gifts (compare Pro 28:21), by which good government is perverted. land--for nation.

World English Bible — Public domain