The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 527

the present <lay. Septnngint," For when he to the sentence, "He that prepe.reth & net is l,urniug sud,louly, there is no remedy." before hie friend entangles hie own feet: Ver. 2.-When the righteous are in therein" (Qpmp. eh. xxvi. Z7; xxviii. 10). authority; rnther, as in eh. xxviii. 28, when Ver. 6.-=t:n the transgression of an evil Che rialtteoua are increased; Vulgate,in multi- me.n there is a sna.re (eh. xii. 13). The plicatione justo1·um. When sinners aro put snare is that the sinner is caoght e.nd held nwny, and the righteous a.re in tho majority. fast by his sin, and cannot escape, .as he Septuagint, "when the just a.re com- knows nothing of repentance, e.nd has no mended.'' When good men give the tone will to cast otf evil habits (eh. xxiv. 16). to society and conduct a.II affaira according (For "snare," comp. eh. xviii. 7; ix. 25; lo their own high standard, the people re- xxii. 25.) Septuagint, "For a man sinning joice; there is geueral happiness, prosperity there lies e. great snare." But the righteo1111 e.bouuds, nnd voices ring cheerfully ( eh. xi. doth sing and rejoice. The anti thesis is 10: xxviii. 12). When the wicked bee.reth not very obvious. It may mean that the rule, the people mourn; they suffer violence good mau has a conscience at peace, is free ond injustice, nnd have bitter co.use for from the snare of sin, and therefore is glad; complnint nnd lamentation. This proverb or that, in spite of a momentary fall, though is not applicable to the age of Solomon. he has transgressed, be knows that God Ver. 3.-The first hemistich is o. variation forgives him on his repentance, and this of eh. x. 1 (where see note). Xeepeth com- makes him happy ; or, generally that he pany with; literally, feedeth, as oh. xxviii. rejoices in tho happy life which his virtue 7. Harlots (see on eh. vi. 2G). Such vice procures for him here and hereafter (Matt. leuds to the wusting of substo.nce (Luke xv. v. 12). In the original "sing" represents 13), nnd the great sorrow of the parent. the sudden oulbnrat of joy, "rejoice" the Septuagint, "llut be thnt pastureth (,ro,JJ-"'" continued state of happiness. "The righteous .,ei) harlots slrn.11 w.,ste wee.Ith." shall bo in joy nnd glndness (ev X"P'f Kal Ver. 4.-1\fony of the proverbs. in this l11 ,11</JpoO'v11p)," Septuagint. chnpler seem to suit the time of Jeroboam II. Ver. 7.-Consiclereth the cause; recognizes (sec on eh. xxviii. 3). The king by judgment the claims, ancl, us the word din implies, es~ablisheth the land. The kiog, the foun- supports tbom at the seat of judgment tain of justice, by his eqnilable government (comp. Job xxix. 12, 16; Ps. lxxxii. 3, etc.). Lrings his country into e. healthy and settled Septue.gint, "A righteous man knows how condition (1 Kings xv. 4; comp. ver. 14; eh. to judge for the poor." The wioked re- xvi. 12; xxv. 5). In the security of tho ge.rdoth not to know it. This is a clumsy throne the lr. ud e.nd people participate. He translation; it melllls, pnys no attention so e.s that receivcth gifts overthroweth it. The to become fully ucquainted with its details expression, ni01,rl !,°•~ ( ish terumoth), "man and bet\riugs. But the words signify rather, of offerings," "m"11n of gifts," is ambiguous: us in the Revised Version margin," under- it mny mcnn "the taker of bribrs," the un- standeth not knowledge" (eh. xix. 25; righteous ruler who sells justice (oh. xv. 27), xxviii. 5), hns no knowledge whioh would or it may signify " the imposer of tnxes" lead him to eutcr inlo the poor man's cuse, (Ezck. xiv. 13, etc.) or forced benevo- nnd to sympnthize with him in his distress; lences. Aquiln nnd Theodotiou have a.v¾,p the claims of the freblo to recognition e.nd ir.,p,.,p,1,ul.Tow, " man of heave offerings," and relief at his hnnds nro utterly unknown and Wordsworth regnrde him us e. m11n who disregnr<led. He cnn d11ily look on Lazarus clnims nnd receives gifts, ns if he were a e.t his gntc, ond fiud no co.II for his pity and deity on earth. Whichever sense we give che.ritv; bo ca.u sec the wounded traveller to the phrase, the contrast lies between the iu the· road, nn,1 pnss by on tho other side. iuOcxibly upright ruler and the iniquitous The LXX. offers two trauslatione of the or extol'tiouate prince. 'fhe Septuagint latter cl:, nsc, rending the second time r/'i gives ,rapdvoJJ-os, "a transgressor;" Vnlge.te, instead of y.ii,, nud tlicreby not improving t;ir arn.rttB. the Sl'USC: "Dut the ungodly underste.nd- Yl'l". 5.-A ma.n.tha.t fie.ttereth his neigh- eth not knowledge, nml tho poor man hath bour ; sRys only wl,at is ngreeoble, e.pplauda not o,n understau,ling mind." his words aud actions indiscriminately, and Ver. 8.-Scornful men bring a oity into a ruukes him think too well of himself, he snare. "Men of derision" (Ise.. :u:viii. 1') is no true friend (see eh. xxviii. 23). ere thoso who despise nnd scoff at e.11 thing■ Spree.deth a. net for his feet; his steps ( eh. grent and high, whether snored or profane xxvi. 28; Job xviii. 8, etc.). If o. me.n (seo on eh. i. 22). 'fhc,e e.re the penona listens to euel.t flattering words, e.nd is in- who re.iso rebellion in n country and exoite tlucnccd by them, he works his own ruin; opposition to coustitntcd authority. Tue 1wlf-de~.cived, he l"llows not hie real condition, rcudcring of in:~;. "\,ring into a snare," u.u,l accordingly makes grievous disaster of o.s in the Authorizer! V craion, is supported hi~ life. The LXX. gives a dUferent turn by some of the Jewbh vcr,ious &nd <lOlll• :;54 'l'HE PROVERBS. [011, XXIX, 1-27.