Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
Vers. 1. BOast not thy self of to morrow] James 4. 13, &c.
tomorrow] Heb. to morrow-day.
thou knowest not what a day may bring forth] Every day is as it were childe of some thing. To morrow may bring forth that which may crosse thy businesse, or thy comfort: therefore presume not of either, if thou neglect the present occasion, Matth. 6. 34.
V. 3. heavy] Heb. heavinesse.
V. 4. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outragious] Heb. wrath is cruelty, and anger an over flowing.
but who is able to stand before envy?] For the envious are obstinate, and cannot be reconciled.
envy] Or, jealousie, as Chap. 6. 34.
V. 5. Open rebuke is better then secret love] He doth us more good that reveals his hatred to us by railing on us, then he that professeth he loveth us, and dare not reprove us.
V. 6. Faithfull are the wounds of a friend] Psal. 141. 5. The rebukes of a friend that pierce deep, are better then the sawning of an enemy.
deceitfull] Or, carnest, or frequent.
V. 7. The full soul lotheth an heny-comb] Want sometimes is better then plenty.
lotheth] Heb. treadeth under foot.
to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet] Job 6. 7.
V. 8. As a bird that wandreth from her nest] And so is unsetled, and in danger: So is a man out of his dwelling, or calling.
V. 9. sweemesse of a mans friend by hearty counsel] Psal. 55. 14.
by hearty counsed] Heb. from the counsel of the soul.
V. 10. neither go into] Or, but go not into:
neither go into thy brothers house in the day of thy calamity] Seek help from an ancient friend in time of trouble, rather then from thy kindred; for these will sooner fail thee, then he, who loves thee better, and dwels neerer to help thee.
better is a neighbour that is near, then a brother far off] Chap. 17. 17. and 18. 24.
V. 11. My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me] Chap. 10. 1. and 23. 24.
that I may answer him that reproacheth me] See notes on Psal. …7. 5.
V. 12. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself] Chap. 22. 3.
V. 13. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman] Chap. 20. 16.
for] Or, that is surety for.
V. 14. He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice] He that praiseth a man before others continually to his face, is as tedious to a wise man, as if he cursed him.
V. 15. A continuall dropping in a very rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike] Chap. 19. 13.
a contentious woman] Heb. a woman of contentions: That is, a very contentious woman.
V. 16. Whosoever hideth her, hideth the winde] The inconveniences that come by her, are such as cannot be concealed, no more then the winde can be kept in, or the sent of a sweet ointment.
bewrayeth] Heb. proclaimeth.
V. 17. Iron sharpeneth iron] Angreth him: or, encourageth him to good, when he is dull of himself.
V. 18. Whoso keepeth the fig-tree, shall eat the fruit thereof] 1 Cor. 9. 7.
waiteth on] Or, observeth.
V. 19. As in water face answereth to face] As a man can ghesse at his own face by seeing the shadow of it in the water, though he cannot see it immediately: so may he ghesse at another mans thoughts by his actions, although he cannot directly see his heart.
V. 20. never] not.
the eyes of man are never satisfied] Eccles. 1. 8.
V. 21. As the fining-pot for silver, and the furnace for gold] Chap. 17. 3.
so is a man to his praise] True praise is gotten by wel-doing, as gold is made praise-worthy by the fire.
V. 22. yet will not his foolishnesse depart from him] A fool will be beaten to death, before he will leave his folly, Jere. 6. 29.
V. 23. look well] Heb. set thy heart.
V. 24. For riches are not for ever] If thou wert never so rich, or hadst a crown, yet thou mayest be poor; therefore look well to be educated in some trade that may maintain thee, if wealth fail.
riches] Heb. strength.
to every generation] Heb. to generation and generation.
V. 25. The hay appeareth] This declareth the great goodnesse of God towards man, who giveth him food▪ for himself, and his servants, and his cattell, summer and winter, and means to purchase more lands: and by consequence requires care in man to preserve all these things for their severall uses, Gen. 1. 28, 29. Psal. 104. 14. and 147. 8, 9.
V. 26. are] Or, which are.
V. 27. maintenance] Heb. life.