The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 510

ll'Iany modem commentators (e.g. Hitzig, a 1·igbt jud!tment in all things (comp. Delitzsch, Nowack), in view of the present Eccles. viii. 5; 1 Cor. ii. 15). So l John text, regarding the combinntion e'i ,:ii, and ii. 20, "Yo ho.vo o.n unction from the Holy noting tbat elsewhere tbe oppressor 11,nd the One, o.nd yo 1.-now v.11 things;" e.nd our poor are always introduced in opposition Lord has dcclo.red, " If any man willeth to (comp. eh. xxix. 13), rend:;~,. or consider do his will, h13 shall know of the doctrine" :;, a.s equivalent to it-rosh, "the head," in (Johu vii. 17), the signification of" master," "ruler." The Ver. 6.-'l'his is almost the same e.s eh. gnome thus becomes concinnous, the ruler xix. 1, but v11ries a little in the second who ought to benefit his depe1uknts, but hemistich : than he that is perverse in his injures them, corresponding to the rain wa.ys, though he be rich. The Hebrew which, instead of fertilizing, devastates the lit~rally is, perverse of two ways; i;e. who, crops. The LXX. had a different reading, gomg one way, pretends to go another; the as it renders, "A bold man in his impieties "two ways" being the evil which he really ( a.p6p,7os, P l,,,,-,{3,la,s) calumniates the poor." pursues, and the good which he feigns to fol- Js like a sweeping re.in which leaveth no low. Delitzsch calls him "a double-going de, food; literally, and not bread. A violent ceiver." So Simcides imprecates, "Woe to the storm coming at seed-time and washing sinner that goeth two ways" (Ecclus. ii.12), away soil and seed, or happening at harvest- "A double-minded ·man," says St. James (i. time and destroying the ripe corn. Vulge.te, 8), "is unstable in all hie ways." It is not 8imilis est imbri 'Dehementi, in quo paratur the endeavouring to eerve God and me.mmon fames. Ewald supposes that such proverbs at the so.me time that i~ !Dee.nt, but putting as these and the following belong to the on the o.ppeare.nce of reltgion to mask wicked time of Jeroboe.m II., when the prosperity designs-in the present case in order to of the people induced luxury 11nd arrogance, gain wealth. Septuagint, "A poor man and was accompanied with much moral walking in truth is better than a rich liar.'' en!, oppressioa, and perversion of justice Ver. 7.-Whoso keepeth the Le.w is e. wise (' Hist. of Israel,' iii. 126, Eng. tranel.). son. "Law" is torah, as vcr. 4; but it The Bengalee compares the relation of the seems here to include not only the Deca- rich oppressor to the poor, not with the logue, but also the father's instruction and rainstorm, but with that of the earring-knife commands. Such au obedient and prudent to the pumpkin. son brings honour and joy to a parent's Ver. 4.-They that forsake the Law praise heart (see eh. x. l ; xxix. 3). He that is the wicked. This they do because they e. companion of riotous men shameth his love iniquity, and like to see it extend its father; Jitero.lly, he that feedeth, hath fel- influence, and nrm itself aµ-ainst the good, lowship 'IDith, gluttons ( eh. xxiii. 20). 'fhe who are a st11nding reproach to them. St. son who her<le with debauchers, and wastes Paul notes it as a mark of extreme wicked- hie substance in riotous living, brings uess that gross sinners "not only do the sliame on, wounds, and insults, all con- same iniquities, but have pleo.sure in them nected with him. Such a one transgresses that do them" (Rom. i. 32). Such as keep the Law aucl his fathe11 s commands, and the Law contend with them; are angry brings them into contempt (comp. cl.J. x:nii, with them. They are filled with rii:;hteous 11). Hence the o.ntitltesis of the two clauses. indignation; they cannot hold tlit,ir pellce Septuagint, '' He that cherishes dcbo.uchery when they see God's Law outraged, and (1ro1µalP<1 d,,-"'TlaP) dishonolll'B his futher." must have the offenders punished (comp. 1•A1TC1JT(a occurs only in 2 Mace. vi. 4, but is l Kings xix. 14; Pa. Jxxiv. 11, etc.; cxix. common in the New '.rest,iment; e.g. Eph. 136, 139; cxxxix. 21). The LXX. connects v. 18; Titus i, 6. this verse with the latter part of tlic preced- Ver. 8.-He that by nanry and unjust ing, thus: "As un impetuous ancl profitless gain inoreaseth his substance. "Usury" rain, thus those who fors11ke the Law pre.iee (neshelc) ie interest ou money lent token in ungodliness; but they who love the Law money; "unjust gaiu" (tarbith) is interest raise a wall around them;e]ves." taken iu kind, as if a me.n, h11ving lent o. Ver. 5.-Evil men understand not judg- bushel of corn, exo.ctetl two bushels in mcnt; or, what is right. Au e"ril man's moral return. All such tmnenctions were for- conception is perverted, lie c·annot distinguish bidden by the Law of Moses, nt any rnle Lc:tween right and wrong; the light that was Lctwcen Israelites (see Lev. xxv. 36, 37, iii Lim Ima become darkuess (comp. eh. xxix. "'l'hou she.It not give thy brother thy 7). Many men, by i,;iving themselves over to money upon usury (neshelc), nor lend him wickcdne6s, are judicially blinded, according 11.iy victuals for increo.se [marbith, equiva- to J oliu xii. 39, 40. They who seek the Lord lent to tarbith, which is used in ver. 36] "). understand all things. 'fhose who do God's Scptuo.gint, MeTo. TO""'" ,cal 1r/\.e0Pa1Tµwv, will, seekin~ him in prayer, know what is "With interest and usury." (For censure of IJJOt ally right in every circumbtv.ucl', Lu rn u6llry, see P~. cix. 11; Ezck. xriii. 13; un<l cu. xxvm.1-28.] THE PROVERBS. 535