7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
Doth the hawk fly by thine intelligence, [and] stretch his wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make his nest on high? He inhabiteth the rock and maketh his dwelling on the point of the cliff, and the fastness: From thence he spieth out the prey, his eyes look into the distance; And his young ones suck up blood; and where the slain are, there is he.
Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him as a bondman for ever? Wilt thou play with him as with a bird, and wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? Shall partners make traffic of him, will they divide him among merchants? Wilt thou fill his skin with darts, and his head with fish-spears? Lay thy hand upon him; remember the battle, -- do no more! Lo, hope as to him is belied: is not one cast down even at the sight of him? None is so bold as to stir him up; and who is he that will stand before me? Who hath first given to me, that I should repay [him]? [Whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine. I will not be silent as to his parts, the story of his power, and the beauty of his structure. Who can uncover the surface of his garment? who can come within his double jaws? Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror. The rows of his shields are a pride, shut up together [as with] a close seal. One is so near to another that no air can come between them; They are joined each to its fellow; they stick together, and cannot be sundered. His sneezings flash light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go forth flames; sparks of fire leap out: Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a boiling pot and cauldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. In his neck lodgeth strength, and terror danceth before him. The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are fused upon him, they cannot be moved. His heart is firm as a stone, yea, firm as the nether [millstone]. When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid: they are beside themselves with consternation. If any reach him with a sword, it cannot hold; neither spear, nor dart, nor harpoon. He esteemeth iron as straw, bronze as rotten wood. The arrow will not make him flee; slingstones are turned with him into stubble. Clubs are counted as stubble; he laugheth at the shaking of a javelin. His under parts are sharp potsherds: he spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment; He maketh the path to shine after him: one would think the deep to be hoary. Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things; he is king over all the proud beasts.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 6
Commentary on Proverbs 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Pr 6:1-35. After admonitions against suretyship and sloth (compare Pr 6:6-8), the character and fate of the wicked generally are set forth, and the writer (Pr 6:20-35) resumes the warnings against incontinence, pointing out its certain and terrible results. This train of thought seems to intimate the kindred of these vices.
1, 2. if—The condition extends through both verses.
be surety—art pledged.
stricken … hand—bargained (compare Job 17:3).
with a stranger—that is, for a friend (compare Pr 11:15; 17:18).
3. come … friend—in his power.
humble … sure thy friend—urge as a suppliant; that is, induce the friend to provide otherwise for his debt, or secure the surety.
4, 5. The danger requires promptness.
6-8. The improvident sluggards usually want sureties. Hence, such are advised to industry by the ant's example.
9, 10. Their conduct graphically described;
11. and the fruits of their self-indulgence and indolence presented.
as … travelleth—literally, "one who walks backwards and forwards," that is, a highwayman.
armed man—that is, one prepared to destroy.
12. A naughty person—literally, "A man of Belial," or of worthlessness, that is, for good, and so depraved, or wicked (compare 1Sa 25:25; 30:22, &c.). Idleness and vice are allied. Though indolent in acts, he actively and habitually (walketh) is ill-natured in speech (Pr 4:24).
13, 14. If, for fear of detection, he does not speak, he uses signs to carry on his intrigues. These signs are still so used in the East.
14. Frowardness—as in Pr 2:14.
deviseth—literally, "constructs, as an artisan."
mischief—evil to others.
discord—especially litigation. Cunning is the talent of the weak and lazy.
15. Suddenness aggravates evil (compare Pr 6:11; 29:1).
calamity—literally, "a crushing weight."
broken—shivered as a potter's vessel; utterly destroyed (Ps 2:9).
16-19. six … seven—a mode of speaking to arrest attention (Pr 30:15, 18; Job 5:19).
17. proud look—literally, "eyes of loftiness" (Ps 131:1). Eyes, tongue, &c., for persons.
19. speaketh—literally, "breathes out," habitually speaks (Ps 27:12; Ac 9:1).
20-23. (Compare Pr 1:8; 3:3, &c.).
22. it—(compare Pr 6:23); denotes the instruction of parents (Pr 6:20), to which all the qualities of a safe guide and guard and ready teacher are ascribed. It prevents the ingress of evil by supplying good thoughts, even in dreams (Pr 3:21-23; Ps 19:9; 2Pe 1:19).
23. reproofs—(Pr 1:23) the convictions of error produced by instruction.
24. A specimen of its benefit. By appreciating truth, men are not affected by lying flattery.
25. One of the cautions of this instruction, avoid alluring beauty.
take—or, "ensnare."
eyelids—By painting the lashes, women enhanced beauty.
26. The supplied words give a better sense than the old version: "The price of a whore is a piece of bread."
adulteress—(Compare Margin), which the parallel and context (Pr 6:29-35) sustain. Of similar results of this sin, compare Pr 5:9-12.
will hunt—alluding to the snares spread by harlots (compare Pr 7:6-8).
precious life—more valuable than all else.
27-29. The guilt and danger most obvious.
30, 31. Such a thief is pitied, though heavily punished.
31. sevenfold—(compare Ex 22:1-4), for many, ample (compare Ge 4:24; Mt 18:21), even if all his wealth is taken.
32. lacketh understanding—or, "heart"; destitute of moral principle and prudence.
33. dishonour—or, "shame," as well as hurt of body (Pr 3:35).
reproach … away—No restitution will suffice;
34, 35. nor any terms of reconciliation be admitted.
regard—or, "accept" any ransom.