Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · Proverbs Chapter 23

Pr 23:1-35.

1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony.

2. put a knife--an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.

3. are deceitful meat--though well tasted, injurious.

4, 5. (Compare

1Ti 6:9, 10).

thine own wisdom--which regards riches intrinsically as a blessing.

5. Wilt . . . eyes--As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.

6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted.

evil eye--or purpose

(Pr 22:9; De 15:9; Mt 6:23).

8. The morsel . . . words--that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.

9. (Compare

Pr 9:8).

"Cast not your pearls before swine"

(Mt 7:6).

10, 11. (Compare

Pr 22:22, 23).

11. redeemer--or avenger

(Le 25:25, 26; Nu 35:12),

hence advocate

(Job 19:25).

plead . . . thee--(Compare

Job 31:21; Ps 35:1; 68:5).

12. Here begins another series of precepts.

13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good.

15, 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence.

16. my reins--(Compare

Ps 7:9).

17, 18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.

18. an end--or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare

Ps 37:28-38).

19-21. guide . . . way--or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare

Pr 4:4; 9:6).

20. riotous . . . flesh--prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure.

21. drowsiness--the dreamy sleep of the slothful.

22. Hearken--that is, obey

(Pr 1:8; Eph 6:1).

despise . . . old--Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed.

23. Buy--literally, "get"

(Pr 4:5).

truth--generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds.

24, 25. (Compare

Pr 10:1; 17:21, 25).

26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness

(Ho 4:11).

give me--This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented

(Pr 8:1; 9:3,

&c.).

heart--confidence.

observe--keep.

my ways--such as I teach you

(Pr 3:17; 9:6).

27, 28. deep ditch--a narrow pit, out of which it is hard to climb.

lieth in wait--to ensnare men into the pit, as hunters entrap game (compare

Pr 22:14).

28. increaseth . . . transgressors--

(Pr 5:8-10).

The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.

29, 30. This picture is often sadly realized now.

mixed wine--(Compare

Pr 9:2; Isa 5:11).

31. when . . . red--the color denoting greater strength (compare

Ge 49:11; De 32:14).

giveth . . . cup--literally, "gives its eye," that is, sparkles.

moveth . . . aright--Perhaps its foaming is meant.

32. The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations.

33, 34. The moral effects: it inflames passion

(Ge 19:31, 35),

lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings.

35. awake--that is, from drunkenness

(Ge 9:24).

This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.