4 A virtuous H2428 woman H802 is a crown H5850 to her husband: H1167 but she that maketh ashamed H954 is as rottenness H7538 in his bones. H6106
A foolish H3684 son H1121 is the calamity H1942 of his father: H1 and the contentions H4079 of a wife H802 are a continual H2956 dropping. H1812 House H1004 and riches H1952 are the inheritance H5159 of fathers: H1 and a prudent H7919 wife H802 is from the LORD. H3068
A continual H2956 dropping H1812 in a very rainy H5464 day H3117 and a contentious H4079 H4066 woman H802 are alike. H7737 Whosoever hideth H6845 her hideth H6845 the wind, H7307 and the ointment H8081 of his right hand, H3225 which bewrayeth H7121 itself.
Who can find H4672 a virtuous H2428 woman? H802 for her price H4377 is far H7350 above rubies. H6443 The heart H3820 of her husband H1167 doth safely trust H982 in her, so that he shall have no need H2637 of spoil. H7998 She will do H1580 him good H2896 and not evil H7451 all the days H3117 of her life. H2416 She seeketh H1875 wool, H6785 and flax, H6593 and worketh H6213 willingly H2656 with her hands. H3709 She is like the merchants' H5503 ships; H591 she bringeth H935 her food H3899 from afar. H4801 She riseth H6965 also while it is yet night, H3915 and giveth H5414 meat H2964 to her household, H1004 and a portion H2706 to her maidens. H5291 She considereth H2161 a field, H7704 and buyeth H3947 it: with the fruit H6529 of her hands H3709 she planteth H5193 a vineyard. H3754 She girdeth H2296 her loins H4975 with strength, H5797 and strengtheneth H553 her arms. H2220 She perceiveth H2938 that her merchandise H5504 is good: H2896 her candle H5216 goeth not out H3518 by night. H3915 She layeth H7971 her hands H3027 to the spindle, H3601 and her hands H3709 hold H8551 the distaff. H6418 She stretcheth out H6566 her hand H3709 to the poor; H6041 yea, she reacheth forth H7971 her hands H3027 to the needy. H34 She is not afraid H3372 of the snow H7950 for her household: H1004 for all her household H1004 are clothed H3847 with scarlet. H8144 She maketh H6213 herself coverings of tapestry; H4765 her clothing H3830 is silk H8336 and purple. H713 Her husband H1167 is known H3045 in the gates, H8179 when he sitteth H3427 among the elders H2205 of the land. H776 She maketh H6213 fine linen, H5466 and selleth H4376 it; and delivereth H5414 girdles H2289 unto the merchant. H3669 Strength H5797 and honour H1926 are her clothing; H3830 and she shall rejoice H7832 in time H3117 to come. H314
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 12
Commentary on Proverbs 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Pr 12:1-28.
1. loveth knowledge—as the fruit of instruction or training (Pr 1:2).
hateth reproof—(Pr 10:17).
brutish—stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Ps 49:10; 73:22).
3. Wickedness cannot give permanent prosperity.
root … not be moved—firm as a flourishing tree—(Ps 1:3; 15:5; Jer 17:8).
4. A virtuous woman—in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pr 31:10).
maketh ashamed—that is, by misconduct.
rottenness—an incurable evil.
5. thoughts—or, "purposes."
are right—literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions.
counsels—(Compare Pr 11:14).
deceit—contrary to truth and honesty.
6. The words—or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.
the mouth—or, "words" of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.
7. Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family.
8. despised—as opposed to commended (Pr 11:12).
perverse heart—or, "wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.
9. despised—held in little repute, obscure (1Sa 18:23; Isa 3:5).
hath a servant—implying some means of honest living.
honoureth himself—is self-conceited.
10. regardeth—literally, "knoweth" (Ps 1:6).
mercies … cruel—as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man.
11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (Pr 6:32; 7:7).
12. the wicked … evil—They love the crafty arts of deception.
the root … fruit—their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or, sets (Eze 17:22) the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root … it is firm" (Pr 17:19).
13, 14. The wicked is snared, &c.—The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.
15. The way … eyes—The fool is self-conceited (compare Pr 12:1; 1:32; 10:17; Jas 3:17).
16. prudent … shame—He is slow to denounce his insulters (Jas 1:19).
18. speaketh—literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Ps 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.
tongue … health—by soothing and gentle language.
19. Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed.
20. that imagine—or, "plan" (Pr 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Mt 5:9; Ro 12:18).
21. no evil—(as in Ps 91:10), under God's wise limitations (Ro 8:28).
mischief—as penal evil.
22. deal truly—or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare Joh 3:21).
23. concealeth—by his modesty (Pr 10:14; 11:13).
heart … proclaimeth—as his lips speak his thoughts (compare Ec 10:3).
24. slothful—(Compare Margin), so called because he fails to meet his promises.
under tribute—not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.
25. a good word—one of comfort.
26. more excellent—(Compare Margin); or, "more successful," while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend, but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves.
27. (Compare Pr 12:24).
took in hunting—or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages.
the substance … precious—or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence."
precious—literally, "honor" (Ec 10:1).
28. (Compare Pr 8:8, 20, &c.). A sentiment often stated; here first affirmatively, then negatively.