Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
Vers. 1. AS snow in summer] For these things are then unseasonable, 1 Sam. 12. 17.
V. 2. so the curse causelesse shall not come] Psal. 109. 28.
V. 3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the asse, and a rod for the fools back] Psal. 32. 9. Chap. 10. 13.
V. 4. Answer not a fool according to his folly] Answer him not according to his folly: That is, as foolishly as he speaks with vain speeches, and railings: or, consent not unto him in his sayings, or doings, but rather reprove him, as the matter requireth: or, answer him, to convince him, though thou have no hope to instruct him: or, observe a fit time and place to answer him: or, answer him briefly, and be not full of words, as he is.
V. 5. his own con…eit] Heb. his own eyes.
V. 6. …utteth off the feet] As he that cuts off his legs, or the legs of his messenger, receives losse thereby: so doth he that imployes a fool in his businesse.
damage] Or, violence.
V. 7. The legs of the lame are not equall] One goes up, and the other down, which is an unseemly thing.
are not equall] Heb. are lifted up.
V. 8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling] Or, As he that putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones. So that the slinger can make no use of it, but-it returns upon him, and hurts himself.
V. 9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard] That runs into his hand and hurts himself: or, which he takes up to hurt others.
V. 10. The great God that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressours] Or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressours.
The great God that formed all things] God rewards all manner of transgressours, whether they sin of folly, or of malice, Chap. 11. 31. Or, wicked men when they are in place and power, make use of all sorts of wicked men for the oppressing of others.
V. 11. As a dog returneth to his vomit] 2 Pet. 2. 22.
returneth to his folly] Heb. iterateth his folly.
V. 12. there is more hope of a fool then of him] For the fool will rather be counselled then he, and so may sooner come to true wisdom, Matth. 21. 31.
V. 13. The slothfull man saith, There is a lion in the way, a lion is in the streets] Chap. 22. 13.
in] Heb. between.
V. 14. As the door turneth upon his hinges] And never goeth off the hinges: so a fool tosseth to and fro in his bed, but will not out.
V. 15. The slothfull hideth his hand in his besome, it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth] Chap. 19. 24.
it grieveth him] Or, he is weary.
V. 17. medleth] Or, is enraged.
is like one that taketh a dog by the ears] He that being not called, goes about to end strife, may sooner catch hurt, then do good, by bringing himself to danger on both sides.
V. 18. a mad man] Or, one that feigns himself mad, 1 Sam. 21. 13.
firebrands] Heb. flames, or sparks.
V. 19. So it the man that deceiveth his neighbour] Wrong done in sport may work much mischief.
V. 20. Where no wood is] Heb. without wood.
where there is no tale-learer, the strife ceaseth] Chapter 22. 10.
tale-bearer] Or, whisperer.
ceaseth] Heb. is silent.
V. 21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife] Chap. 15. 18. and 29. 22.
so is a conten…ious man to kindle strife] Heb. a man of contentions. That is, a very contentious man.
V. 22. The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly] Chap. 18. 8.
innermost parts] Heb. chambers.
V. 23. Burning lips, and a wicked heart] Burning with affection, and making profession of much love to us, when evil is intended to us, as an earthen vessell covered over with drossie silver, which makes a shew, as if it were good massie silver.
V. 24. dissembleth] Or, is known.
V. 25. speaketh fair] Heb. maketh his voice gracious.
for there are seven abeminations in his heart] Meaning, many! he useth a certain number for an uncertain, Chap. 24. 16.
V. 26. Whose hatred is covered] Or, hatred is covered in secret: or, his hatred.
his wickednesse shall be shewed before the whole congregation] God will give him over to some great sin, that he may be publikely punished.
V. 27. Whose diggeth a pit, shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him] Psal. 7. 15, 16. and 9. 15. Eccles. 10. 8.
he that rolleth a stone, it will return him] Up an hill, which fals down again on his own head.
V. 28. A lying tongue hateth these that are afflicted by it] Secketh to do them more mischief, whom he hath hurt before.
and a flattering mouth worketh ruine] A flatterer seeks to undo men, as well as a false witnesse: but the one doth it secretly, and the other openly.