Provérbios 16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown · Comentário Crítico e Explicativo
Provérbios 16
(Pro. 16:1-33) preparations--schemes. in man--or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him. the answer . . . Lord--The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
Provérbios 16:2
clean--or, "faultless." weigheth--or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pro 21:2; Pro 24:12).
Provérbios 16:3
(Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.
Provérbios 16:4
for 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.
Provérbios 16:5
(Compare Pro 3:32).
Provérbios 16:6
By 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. purged--expiated (as in Lev 16:33; Isa 27:9, Hebrew).
Provérbios 16:7
Persecutions, of course, excepted.
Provérbios 16:8
(Compare Pro 15:6, Pro 15:16-17).
Provérbios 16:9
(Compare Pro 16:3). directeth--establisheth.
Provérbios 16:10
The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.
Provérbios 16:11
are the Lord's . . . his work--that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.
Provérbios 16:12
Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.
Provérbios 16:13
A specification of the general sentiment of Pro 16:12.
Provérbios 16:14
This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (Kg1 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.
Provérbios 16:15
light of . . . countenance--favor (Psa 4:6). life--preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable. the latter rain--fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (Deu 11:14).
Provérbios 16:16
(Compare Pro 3:16; Pro 4:5).
Provérbios 16:17
The highway--A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil. keepeth--observes.
Provérbios 16:18
(Compare Pro 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence a fall--literally, "sliding."
Provérbios 16:19
divide the spoil--that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud (Jam 4:6).
Provérbios 16:20
handleth a matter--wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pro 13:13). trusteth--(Compare Psa 2:12; Psa 118:8-9).
Provérbios 16:21
wise in heart--who rightly consider duty. sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
Provérbios 16:22
Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pro 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
Provérbios 16:23
The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
Provérbios 16:24
(Compare Pro 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.
Provérbios 16:25
(Compare Pro 14:2).
Provérbios 16:26
Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.
Provérbios 16:27
ungodly man--(Compare Pro 6:12). diggeth up evil--labors for it. in his lips . . . fire--His words are calumniating (Jam 3:6).
Provérbios 16:28
(Compare Pro 6:14; Pro 10:31). whisperer--prater, talebearer (Pro 18:8; Pro 26:20).
Provérbios 16:29
violent man--or, "man of mischief" (Pro 3:31). enticeth-- (Pro 1:10).
Provérbios 16:30
He shutteth his eyes--denoting deep thought (Psa 64:6). moving his lips--or, "biting his lips"--a determined purpose (Pro 6:13).
Provérbios 16:31
(Compare Pro 20:29). if--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.
Provérbios 16:32
(Compare Pro 14:29). taketh a city--that is, by fighting.
Provérbios 16:33
Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God. Next: Proverbs Chapter 17