1. (Compare Margin). The Hebrews used stones for weights.
just--complete in measure.
2. Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare @Pr 16:18 18:12).
3. guide--to lead, as a shepherd (@Pr 6:7 Ps 78:52).
perverseness--ill-nature.
destroy--with violence.
4. (Compare @Pr 10:2).
wrath--that is, of God.
5. direct--or, "make plain"; wicked ways are not plain (@Pr 13:17).
6. deliver them--that is, from evil, which the wicked suffer by their own doings (@Pr 5:22 Ps 9:16).
7. expectation . . . perish--for death cuts short all his plans
(@Lu 16:25).
hope of unjust--better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare
@Isa 40:29, Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the
first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.
8. Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and which he inherits (compare @Pr 11:6).
9. (Compare @Ps 35:16 Da 11:32). The just is saved by superior discernment.
10, 11. The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.
11. By the blessing--implying active benevolence.
12. despiseth--or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent
silence of the wise.
holdeth his peace--as if neither hearing nor telling.
13. tale-bearer--(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.
14. counsel--the art of governing (@Pr 1:5).
counsellors--literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as
a collective.
15. (Compare @Pr 6:1).
suretiship--(Compare Margin), the actors put for the action, which
may be lawfully hated.
16. retaineth--or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.
17. merciful--kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves
by doing good to others (compare @Pr 24:5), while the cruel injure
themselves as well as others.
flesh--that is, his body, by penuriousness (@Col 2:23).
18. a deceitful work--or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away
(@Pr 10:2 23:5).
sure reward--or, "gain," as from trading (@Ho 10:12 Ga 6:8,9).
19. Inference from @Pr 11:18 (compare @Pr 11:5,6 Pr 10:16).
20. (Compare @Pr 11:5).
froward--as in @Pr 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of
the upright.
in their way--or, "conduct."
21. The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (@Ps 37:25,26).
22. Jewels were often suspended from the nose (@Ge 24:47 Isa 3:21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.
23. (Compare @Pr 10:28).
wrath--is that of God.
24-31. The scope of the whole is a comment on @Pr 11:23. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty.
25. liberal soul--(Compare Margin).
made fat--prospers (@Pr 28:25 De 32:15 Lu 6:38).
watereth . . . watered--a common figure for blessing.
26. Another example of the truth of @Pr 11:23; the miser loses
reputation, though he saves corn.
selleth it--that is at a fair price.
27. good [and] mischief--that is, of others.
procureth . . . seeketh--implying success.
28. (Compare @Pr 10:15 Ps 49:6 1Ti 6:17).
righteous . . . branch--(@Ps 1:3 Jer 17:8).
29. troubleth--as @Pr 15:27 explains, by greediness for gain
(compare @Pr 11:17).
inherit . . . wind--Even successful, his gains are of no real value.
So the fool, thus acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for
others.
30. a tree of life--Blessings to others proceed from the works of the
righteous (@Pr 3:18).
winneth souls--(Compare Margin) to do them good as opposed to
@Pr 6:25 Eze 13:18 (compare @Lu 5:10).
31. Behold--Thus calling attention to the illustrations (compare @Pr 11:23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not excluding future rewards and punishments.