The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 327

not allowed to take fees for teaching; but of the womb of mlamity, and seems t.o be it was customary to make offerings to seers born for it." and ";se men, when their services were Ver. 18.-A man void of understanding engaged or their ndvice was asked (see (Hebrew, heart) striketh hands; clinches tbe case of Saul and Samuel, I Sam. ix. the bargain which makes him responsible 7, S). The last clause gives the reason why ( see on suretyshi p, eh. vi. 1, etc. ; and note, it is useless for a fool to trv to learn wisdom xx. I 6). llecometh surety in the presence even a.t a large expen<lituro on teache1-s. of hia friend ; to his friend for some third Seeing be bath no heart to it; i.e. no capa- party. Wbe.t is here censured is the weak- bility for recei dug it ; his mental digestion ness which, for the sake of perhaps worth- cannot assimilate it. The bee.rt, as we have less compe.uions, lets itself be hampered and already noticed, is regarded as the seat of endangered by others' obligations. For, as the understanding. Thus the LXX., "Why our adage runs, he that is surety for another doth a fool hnve wealth? fur a man without is never sure himself. The Septuagint heart cannot acquire wisdom." In the takes the "striking of hands" to be a sign Gospel Christ calls his disciples "fools aud of joy (Vulgate, plaudet manibus), "'l'he slow of bee.rt to believe what the prophets foolish man claps O,r,,cponi) and rejoices bad written, and himself opened their mind iu himself, so also he who pledges himself (Tov voiiv), that they might understand the for his friend." Scriptures" (Luke :xxiv. 25, 45). The Sep- Ver. 19.-He loveth transgression that tuagint and Vulga.te here introduce a dis- loveth strife, because strife leads to many tich derived from portions of vers. 19, 20, breaches of the commandments (comp. eh. "He who raises his house high seeketh xxix. 22; Jas. i. 20). Septuagint, "He destruction; and he who perversely de- who loveth sin rejoices in battles." And clincth from learning O ll, a-1<0>..,&(.,,, .,-o;; he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruc, ,,_a9,iv) shall fall into evils." tion, He who builds a sumptuous house Ver. I 7.-A friend loveth at all times, nnd lives in the way that his magnificent &nd a brother is born for adversity. Some surroundings demand draws ruin on him- find a climax in the two clauses, and translate self, either because he affects a state which the last as Revised Version margin, " And he is unable to support, or acts so e.s is born as a brother for adversity," the same to provoke reprise.ls and injurious conse- person being meant in both members of the quences. The entrance to a Palestinian sentence. A real friend loves his friend in house would usually pe of humble dimen- prosperity and a.tlversity; yea, he is more sions and sparse ome.mente.tion; e.ny door• than a friend in time of need-he is a way of great architectural pretensions would brother, as affectionate and as trusty as one be uncommon, and would be regarded as connected by the closest ties of relationship a token of extra.ordinary wee.Ith or repre- (comp. eh. xvi.ii. 24). Siracides gives a hensible ptide. Aben Ezre., taking " ge.te" very cruel version of this proverb, "A friend as a metaphor for "mouth," explains the cannot be known in prosperity ; e.nd an hernistich of the danger of random or exces- enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. In sive speech. 'fhis makes a good parallel the prosperity of a man enemies will be with the first clause; but it is doubtful grieved; but in his adversity even a friend whether the words will bear this· interpre- will depart" (Ecclns. xii. 8, etc.). Cicero tation (see Hitzig); and the two clauses had a trner notion of the staLility of friend- may present two forms of selfishness, cap- ship when be quoted Ennius's dictum, tiousness and ostentation, both of which " AmicUB certus in re incerte. cernitur" lead to quarrelB and ruin (comp. eh. xvi. (' De Amicit.,' xvii.). Misfortune, says our 18). me.xim, is the touchstone of friendship; Ver. 20.-He that hath a froward heart and one Greek gnome enjoins- 11.ndeth no good, (For " froward," see on 'I~ias .,,;,,_,(, .,.,;;,, cp[>...,,, Tas crnµ.cpop&s. eh. xi. 20; for "find good," ou eh. xvi. 20.) The perverse, wilful man shall not prosper, "Thy friend's ruisfortunes deem to be thine shall win no blessing in his worldly matters, own;" much less in spiritual things. Septuagint, while another runs- "He who is hard of heart meeteth not with good things." :e:e that ha.th a perver■e Kplvu cpl>..ovs 6 ,ca,pbs, C:.s xpvcrb,, .,-b ,rvp. tongue falleth into mischief; literally, he " The crisis tests a. friend, as fire the gold." who turns himself about with hiB tongue, Septuagint, "Have thou a friend for every saying one thing at one time and something crisis, and let brethren be useful in ad ver- quite contrary at auother. Vulgate, qui sitiee; for for this they are me.de." Com- vertit linguam; Septuagint, <LP1/P Evµ.ETd.• menting ou the ex :-,rei;sion, "is born,'' /30>..os -y>..,I,cra-r,, "easily changed in tongue" Wordsworth fancifully remarks," Adversity (comp. cb. viii. 13; x. 31, where the word Lring• him forth. He comes, as it were, out is ditforen.t), "Mischief" (ra) "is trouble 1" OH, XVII, 1-28,] 'l'HE PROVERBS. 335