{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/cmt/jfb/pro016.htm","path":"bib/cmt/jfb/pro016.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/jfb/pro016.htm","text":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]\npreparations--schemes.\nin man--or literally, \"to man,\" belonging, or pertaining to him.\nthe answer . . . Lord--The efficient ordering is from God: \"Man proposes; God disposes.\"\nclean--or, \"faultless.\"\nweigheth--or, \"tries,\" \"judges,\" implying that they are faulty (Pro 21:2; Pro 24:12).\n(Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.\nfor himself--\"for its answer,\" or \"purpose,\" that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psa 49:5; Jer 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.\n(Compare Pro 3:32).\nBy mercy and truth--that is, God's (Psa 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, \"mercy\" and \"truth\" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.\npurged--expiated (as in Lev 16:33; Isa 27:9, Hebrew).\nPersecutions, of course, excepted.\n(Compare Pro 15:6, Pro 15:16-17).\n(Compare Pro 16:3).\ndirecteth--establisheth.\nThe last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.\nare the Lord's . . . his work--that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.\nRulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.\nA specification of the general sentiment of Pro 16:12.\nThis wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (Kg1 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.\nlight of . . . countenance--favor (Psa 4:6).\nlife--preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.\nthe latter rain--fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (Deu 11:14).\n(Compare Pro 3:16; Pro 4:5).\nThe highway--A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.\nkeepeth--observes.\n(Compare Pro 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence\na fall--literally, \"sliding.\"\ndivide the spoil--that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud (Jam 4:6).\nhandleth a matter--wisely considers \"the word,\" that is, of God (compare Pro 13:13).\ntrusteth--(Compare Psa 2:12; Psa 118:8-9).\nwise in heart--who rightly consider duty.\nsweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.\nUnderstanding--or, \"discretion,\" is a constant source of blessing (Pro 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.\nThe heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.\n(Compare Pro 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.\n(Compare Pro 14:2).\nDiligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.\nungodly man--(Compare Pro 6:12).\ndiggeth up evil--labors for it.\nin his lips . . . fire--His words are calumniating (Jam 3:6).\n(Compare Pro 6:14; Pro 10:31).\nwhisperer--prater, talebearer (Pro 18:8; Pro 26:20).\nviolent man--or, \"man of mischief\" (Pro 3:31).\nenticeth-- (Pro 1:10).\nHe shutteth his eyes--denoting deep thought (Psa 64:6).\nmoving his lips--or, \"biting his lips\"--a determined purpose (Pro 6:13).\n(Compare Pro 20:29).\nif--or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Pro 3:16; Pro 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.\n(Compare Pro 14:29).\ntaketh a city--that is, by fighting.\nSeemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.","title":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Proverbs: Proverbs Chapter 16","type":"page"}