Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17
Verses 1-28
CHAPTER 17
Pr 17:1-28.
1. sacrifices—or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31).
with—literally, "of."
strife—its product, or attendant.
Verses 2
2. (Compare Pr 14:35).
causeth shame—(Pr 10:5).
shall … inheritance—that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).
Verses 3
3. God only knows, as He tries (Ps 12:6; 66:10) the heart.
Verses 4
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
Verses 5
5. (Compare Pr 14:31).
glad at calamities—rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
Verses 6
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pr 13:22; Ps 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
Verses 7
7. Excellent speech—(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).
Verses 8
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).
Verses 9
9. seeketh love—(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
Verses 10
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
Verses 11
11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25).
a cruel messenger—one to inflict it.
Verses 12
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
Verses 13
13. (Compare Ps 7:4; 35:12).
evil—injury to another (Pr 13:21).
Verses 14
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.
Verses 15
15. abomination … Lord—as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32; 12:2).
Verses 16
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).
Verses 17
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.
Verses 18
18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15).
in the presence, &c.—that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
Verses 19
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," Pr 8:36).
Verses 20
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
Verses 21
21. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
Verses 22
22. (Compare Pr 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.
Verses 23
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.
Verses 24
24. Wisdom … him—ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
Verses 25
25. a grief—or cross, vexation (compare Pr 17:21; 10:1).
Verses 26
26. Also—that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
Verses 27
27, 28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871). Public domain.