The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 200

(John xxi. 15; Acts xx. 28; 1 Pet. v. 2). Tho LXX. hns, "Tho de~iro of the just i11 The LXX. has a different reading, " know acceptable." high things." Fools die for want of wisdom, Ver. 25.-Ao the whirlwind pe.sseth. Ac- Fnr from "feeding " others, they bring ruin cording to this rendering (which hns the on themselves (eh. v. 23). Others translate, support. of tho Vulgate) the idea is tho "die through one who wanteth understand- speed. with ~vhich, under God's vengennce, ing;" but if the Hebrew will benr this ren- tbo srnner 1s consumed, ns Isa. xvii. 13; dering, it is obYions that fools need no guide Job xxi. IS. But it is better to translate, to th~ir fall; their fate is a n1ttural result. !l'8 t\:e.LXX., "when the whirlwind is pass- In this case the meaning must be that the rng, i.e. when the storm of judgmeut falls, foolish man involves others in destruction. as Cl!rist represents the tempest beating on Rut. it is best to transl.tte as the Authorized the_ 111-founded_ house nnd destroying it, Version. , while that winch was built on the rock Yer. 22.-The blessing of the Lord. The remains uninjured ( comp. eh. xii. 3; Matt. Septuagint adds, "upon the head of the vii. 24, etc.; comp. Wisd. v. H, eto.). Ever- rightMus," as in ver. 6. Not chance and lasting founda.tion (ver. 30 ; Ps. xoi. : luck, not even industry and labour, but cxxv. I); like the Cyclopean stones on God g,,·eth the increase (Eccles. v. 18, 19). which Solomon's temple was built. It is He addeth no sorrow with it; i.e. with the natural to see here an adumbration of that blessing. In 1tcquiring and in using wealth Just One, the Messiah, the chief Corner- thus blessed, the good man is contented and stone. The LXX. gives," But the righteous liappy, while unsanctified riches bring only turning aside is saved for ever." trouble and vexation. But this seems rather Ver. 26.-Vinegar (ltuth ii. H; Ps. Ixix. feeble, and it is better to render, "And e. 21). As sour wine sets the teeth on edge; man's own labour addeth nothing thereto." Septuagint, "as the unripe grape is harm- A man's own work must not be regarded ful to the teeth" (Ezek. xviii. 2). Smoke. e.s an equal cause of prosperity with the In a country where chimneys were unknown, favour of God. Thia sentiment is in o.c- and the fuel was wood or some substance cordance with Ps. cxxvii. 1, 2, "Except more unsavoury, the eyes must have often the Lord Luil<I the house, their labour is been painfully affected by the household but lost tbat build it. . . . So he giveth fue. Thus lacrimosus, "tea.r-producing," unto his beloved in sleep"-what others is e. classical epithet of smoke (see Ovid, vainly hbour for God giveth to the righteous ' 111ete.m.,' x. 6 ; Hor., • Se.t.,' i. 5. 80). To without toil. The rendering of the clause, these two annoyances is compared t.he mes- "Trouble is of no avail without it," is senger wbo loiters on his errand. The last scarcely warranted by the wording of the clause is rendored by the LXX., "So ia text. i11iquity to those who practise it "-it brings Ver. 23.-A.s a sport. The wicked make ouly pnin e.nd vexation. their pastime e.nd amusement in doing evil. Ver. 27.-The fear of the Lord prolongeth A man of understanding he.th wisdom. As days. The promise of long life as tbe re, thns put, the sent<:nce is jejune. The Re- ward of 11 religious couversation is ofton vised Version expresses the meaning better: found in our book, where temporal retribu- " And so is wisdom to a me.n of understand- tion is set forth (see eh. iii. 2; ix. 11; xiv. ing;" i.e. the wise man finds his refreshment 27). Shall be shortened, e.s Ps. lv, 23: in li-l'ing a wise and prudent life, which is Ecoles. vii. 17. e.., eaoy and as pleaffint to him e.s mischief Ver. 28.-The hope of the righteous shall is to tl:1e vicious. The wisdom intended is be gladness. The patient expectation of practice.I religion, the fear of Goel directing the righteous is joyful, because it he.s good and showing itself in daily action. Septua- hope of being, and is, fulfilled. So the g-int, "A fool doeth mischief in sport Uv apostle (Rom. xii. 12) speaks, "Rejoici-ng in •1,>..wn), but wisdom produceth prudence for hope, patient in tribulation." Septuagint, a.man." •• Gladness delayeth for the just." The Yer. 24.-This veJ:Se is connected in expectation of the wicked; thnt which the thought with the preceding. The wicked, wicked eagerly hope for shall come to though he lightly carries on his evil prac- naught (eh. xi. 7; Job viii. 13; Ps. cxii. 10). tices, is troubled with the thought of the Ver. 29.-The way of the Lord; i.e. the retribution which awe.its him, and that way in wl1ich he has commanded men to whioh he fears shall come upon him ( eh. i. walk-the we.y of his commandments (Pe. 26; Job iiL 25; Isa. lxvL 4); Septuagint, xxv. 12; cxix. 27), that which the Pharisees "'l'he wicked is involved in destruction." confessed that Christ taught (Matt. xxii.16). The desira of the righteous. The righteous The Septuagint renders, "the fear of the will desire only that which is in agreement Lord," which pmctically gives the meaning. with God's will, e.nd this God grant~, if not Or "the Lord's way " me.y be his mornl i.n thi, wm·ld, certaiuly in the life to come. government of the world. Strength; better CII, X, 1-32.] THE PROVERBS. 199