Proverbschapter 10
32 verses · Solomon and others · 10th to 5th century BC · Wisdom and poetry
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
Introduction
Solomon and others, Wisdom and poetry, Proverbs Overview.
This chapter opens the first collection of short sayings in Proverbs, headed as the proverbs of Solomon. Here the book changes its form. The long lessons of a father give way to single sayings of two lines each, spoken to working households who earned their living from the land. Most of these sayings set two kinds of people or two outcomes against each other. Listen for how the second line of each saying answers the first, often by contrast. Notice how often the chapter returns to the mouth and what it does. Read each saying slowly, as a truth to carry through a working day.
Context
- Who
- Working households, farmers, labourers, and the men who hired them
- What
- The opening of Solomon's collection of two-line sayings, most of them contrasting the righteous and the wicked, the diligent and the lazy, and wise and foolish speech.
- Where
- The farms, fields and workshops of Israel, where a household's year was made or lost.
- When
- The reign of Solomon, about 970 to 931 BC, by the heading at Proverbs 10:1; the collection was copied and arranged later, as Proverbs 25:1 shows for a second one.
- Why
- To fix in the memory short truths about work, honesty and speech, showing how the righteous and the wicked fare in ordinary life.
Historical context
The book changes gear here. The heading "the proverbs of Solomon" starts a long collection of two-line sayings, and nearly all of them work by contrast: the first line says one thing, the second says its opposite. That shape is a memory device. A saying built on a hinge can be carried around in the head all day and repeated at the right moment.
Show the rest of the historical context, 3 more paragraphs
The farming lines assume a calendar with no slack in it. "He that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" refers to the few weeks when the whole household, men, women, children, hired hands, was in the field with sickles from first light. Grain left standing shattered and fell, and rain in the harvest window could ruin the crop outright.
"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing" speaks into a society without safe storage. Wealth was grain, oil, livestock, metal, and cloth, all of it perishable, stealable, or seizable. A man who got it by fraud had no institution protecting his claim to it.
Several sayings weigh the mouth: the lips of the righteous feed many, a talebearer reveals secrets, he that refrains his lips is wise. In a village where reputation was the only credit rating, what you said about a neighbour could end his ability to borrow seed.
Significance
These lines were not read as unbreakable laws but as the way life usually runs. Israel already had Job on the shelf for the exceptions.
Show the rest of the significance, 1 more paragraph
For the first hearers the effect was cumulative. Line after line put diligence, honest speech, and restraint on one side and shortcuts on the other, until the pattern felt less like advice and more like the shape of the world.
This chapter in Jewish lifeWhat this chapter is in Jewish life and reading.
What is done
No part of this chapter is read in the synagogue year. The site's own table in src/lib/hebraic/readings.ts printed parashot total 0 and haftarah uses total 0 for Proverbs, and no festival reading.
The corpus joins the chapter to five weekly portions. Through Bereshit Rabbati it carries Parashat Noah 19 and Parashat Vayechi 58 under the first verse, Parashat Toldot 20 under the sixth, and Parashat Vayishlach 16 under the eleventh. Under the thirtieth it carries Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 6:4. Noach, Vayechi, Toldot, Vayishlach and Ki Tisa stand in the site's table of portions.
How it is read
Rashi is the commentator on this chapter whose English the corpus carries, quoted here from The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg, which Sefaria reports as CC-BY. The chapter opens the sayings of Solomon, and the first note gives two readings at once. The wise son's father "is the Holy One, blessed be He (Midrash); another explanation: his actual father" (Rashi on Proverbs 10:1:1). The same doubled reading runs through the book.
Much of the chapter he reads through figures of Scripture. The wise-hearted man who takes commandments is Moses. He was busy with the commandments while all Israel was busy with the plunder of Egypt, and Rashi proves it from the bones of Joseph (Rashi on Proverbs 10:8:1). Wisdom on the lips of the understanding is the man who answers reproof by saying he has sinned, as David did before Nathan (Rashi on Proverbs 10:13:1). The dread of the wicked coming upon him is the generation of the Dispersion, who feared being scattered and were scattered (Rashi on Proverbs 10:24:1). The treasures of wickedness that do not avail are Ephraim's boast of riches in Hosea (Rashi on Proverbs 10:2:1).
Several notes read the proverbs as sayings about Torah. The poor man with a slack hand is the one poor in Torah, who gives false rulings (Rashi on Proverbs 10:4:1). The wealth of the rich is wealth in Torah (Rashi on Proverbs 10:15:1). The work of the righteous that tends to life he reads by its plain sense, and he then reports the Midrash Aggadah. Solomon built the Temple for the life of Israel, for their atonement (Rashi on Proverbs 10:16:1).
His note on hatred stirring up strife carries a reading of Israel's history. A sin that was forgotten is remembered when new sins are added. Rashi's example is Ezekiel's rebuke of Israel for the idols of Egypt, a sin God had not named to them until they added to it (Rashi on Proverbs 10:12:1). On the saying about many words he is brief. "He who talks too much brings on sin" (Rashi on Proverbs 10:19:1). The mention of the righteous is a blessing because "Whoever mentions a righteous man blesses him" (Rashi on Proverbs 10:7:1).
The corpus carries one further note on this chapter without an English text, marked linked because Sefaria holds no English version of the ref. It stands cited and unquoted at Ibn Ezra on Proverbs 10:5:1.
What the rabbis say
The corpus carries forty rabbinic locators on this chapter and the text of none, so each is cited here rather than quoted. On the second verse it holds Avot DeRabbi Natan 3:9 and Bava Batra 10a:12. On the third it holds Bamidbar Rabbah 19:18 and Bereshit Rabbah 64:2. On the fifth it holds Bamidbar Rabbah 20:3 and Ein Yaakov, Sanhedrin 1:10, and on the sixth Bereshit Rabbah 75:8. On the seventh, the memory of the righteous, it holds Aggadat Bereshit 4:2 and 50:5, and on the eighth Bereshit Rabbah 52:3 and Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Sotah 1:49.
The wise and the fool draw the next run. On the ninth verse the corpus holds Midrash Tehillim 55:1. On the tenth it holds Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Yoma 3:11 and Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Vayehi Beshalach 1:9. On the twelfth it holds Midrash Lekach Tov, Numbers 16:1:3 and Midrash Sekhel Tov, Bereshit 20:16:3. On the fifteenth it holds Jerusalem Talmud Bava Batra 1:4:2 and Midrash Tehillim 116:8, and on the sixteenth Devarim Rabbah 2:20 and Sifrei Devarim 48:10.
The last verses carry the rest. On the seventeenth verse the corpus holds Jerusalem Talmud Taanit 4:4:3, on the eighteenth Bamidbar Rabbah 16:5, and on the nineteenth Avot DeRabbi Natan 22:3. On the twenty-second it holds Bereshit Rabbah 100:7, on the twenty-third Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Bachodesh 10:10, and on the twenty-fifth Aggadat Bereshit 50:1. On the thirty-second it holds Midrash Tannaim on Deuteronomy 33:6:2. What each of them teaches is a saying of the rabbis, and is reported as theirs wherever this site quotes one. The quotations wait on a fetch that carries the text.
Sources: Rashi, Rashi on Proverbs 10:1:1 to 10:24:1, The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg, reported CC-BY; Ibn Ezra, Ibn Ezra on Proverbs 10:5:1, cited by ref because the corpus carries no English text; The Sefaria corpus, scripts/data/sources/sefaria/proverbs/10.json, the 40 Talmud and Midrash locators of this chapter; The site's own files, src/lib/hebraic/readings.ts, printing no portion, no Haftarah and no festival reading for this book, with Noach, Vayechi, Toldot, Vayishlach and Ki Tisa in its PARASHOT table.
The heads below are this chapter's scenes. The numbered points under each are its verses.
A Wise Son, and the Blessing of Jehovah That Maketh Rich
Proverbs 10:1-5
The proverbs of Solomon: The header “The proverbs of Solomon” marks a new collection, whose couplets set the righteous against the wicked in a single line. Its opening pair compresses the family theme of chapters 1 to 9, and the next verses turn to wealth, where “diligent hands bring wealth”.
Proverbs 10:1
“The proverbs of Solomon - Some ancient MSS. of the Vulgate have Proverbiorum liber secundus, “The second book of the Proverbs.” The preceding nine chapters can only be considered as an introduction, if indeed they may be said to make even a part, of the proverbs of Solomon, which appear to commence only at the tenth chapter.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Ill-gotten treasures: profit nothing on the day of death, and righteousness delivers from it. Matthew Henry takes righteousness here as honesty and charity together, wealth gained and used rightly. Such wealth keeps a man alive.
Proverbs 10:2
“Righteousness delivers from death, that is, wealth gained, and kept, and used, in a right manner (righteousness signifies both honesty and charity); it answers the end of wealth, which is to keep us alive and be a defence to us. It will deliver from those judgments which men bring upon themselves by their wickedness.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
He denies the craving of the wicked: The LORD feeds the righteous and refuses the wicked what they crave. Albert Barnes compares the wicked to Tantalus in the Greek story, always reaching for the fruit and the water that pull away from him. The appetite stays and the meal never comes.
Proverbs 10:3
Do you fear that your patrimony may fail if you begin to act generously from it? For when did it happen that resources could fail a just person, when it is written, "The Lord will not afflict the soul of the just with famine."
Cyprian · written before 258 · Treatise VIII. On Works and Alms 11patristic
Idle hands make one poor: The two hands of this saying are the same tool used two ways. Gill notes the Hebrew for the idle hand can also be read a hand of deceit, the worker who makes a show of labor. The diligent hand is honest as well as busy.
Proverbs 10:4
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand,.... That is either remiss in giving to the necessities of others, according to his abilities, and as cases require; or that is negligent and slothful in his business. Or, "that worketh with a deceitful hand"; or, "with a hand of deceit" (u), as it may be rendered; who pretends to work, but does not; makes a show as if he did, but acts deceitfully; or who uses many tricking and deceitful ways and methods to live, as usually slothful persons do.”
He who gathers in summer: Summer and harvest are the weeks when a year's food is won or lost. John Gill ties the wise son here to the ant of Proverbs 6:8, laying up food against winter. The sleeper shames his whole house.
Proverbs 10:5
“He that gathereth in summer is a wise son,.... Which is the time of gathering the fruits of the earth, and laying them up against winter, as the ant is said to do, Pro 6:8; but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame; to himself, and to his parents and relations.”
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:5
“The son is called upon to enter upon the labors of others, and reap where they have sown. To sleep when the plenteous harvest lies ready for the sickle is the most extreme laziness.”
Proverbs 10:6-10
Blessings are on the head of the righteous: This cluster turns on standing and reception: “Blessings are on the head of the righteous,” and “the name of the wicked will rot”. Verse 8 sets the rule the rest of the chapter assumes: “A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin”.
Proverbs 10:6
“Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked - As blessings shall be on the head of the just, so the violence of the wicked shall cover their face with shame and confusion. Their own violent dealings shall be visited upon them. The mouth forsoth of unpitious men wickidnesse covereth. - Old MS. Bible. “The forehead of the ungodly is past shame, and presumptuous.” - Coverdale.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The memory of the righteous is a blessing: Adam Clarke, following Lowth, notes that memory and name are one thing in this couplet, so the contrast falls wholly on blessing and rot. A righteous man's name is spoken as a blessing after his death. The wicked man's name decays like a carcass.
Proverbs 10:7
“The memory of the just is blessed - Or, is a blessing. But the name of the wicked shall rot - This is another antithesis; but there are only two antithetic terms, for memory and name are synonymous - Lowth. The very name of the wicked is as offensive as putrid carrion.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
A wise heart will receive commandments: The couplet sets a listening heart against talking lips. John Gill reads the commandments as God's own, received and gladly obeyed by the one whose wisdom begins in the fear of the LORD. The second line returns word for word in verse 10.
Proverbs 10:8
“The wise in heart will receive commandments,.... Such who have true wisdom in the hidden part of the heart, of which the fear of the Lord is the beginning: these will not only, as good subjects, honour their king, and attend to his lawful commands; and, as dutiful children, regard those of their parents; and, as faithful servants, hearken to those of their masters; but, as such that fear the Lord, will receive and cheerfully obey the commandments of God and Christ; but a prating fool shall fall; like Diotrephes, that prated against the Apostle John and other saints.”
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:8
“A prating fool shall fall - This clause is repeated in the tenth verse. The wise man will receive the commandment: but the shallow blabbing fool shall be cast down. See Pro 10:10.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
He who walks in integrity walks securely: The man of integrity has nothing hidden, so he walks without fear of what may come to light. John Wesley reads the second line as public exposure: the crooked man's wickedness will be found out before others. Crooked paths leave tracks.
Proverbs 10:9
“Surely - Or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies; quietly resting upon God's favour and gracious providence for his protections. Known - His wickedness shall be publickly discovered.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (1765)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:9
“He that walketh uprightly walketh surely,.... Or, "that walketh in perfection" (c) as the Targum.”
He who winks the eye causes grief: He who winks the eye signals to a partner in a scheme, and the wink causes grief to the one it is aimed at. Adam Clarke records that the Septuagint gives the second line as a reproof that makes peace. The Hebrew repeats the foolish lips of verse 8.
Proverbs 10:10
“He that winketh with the eye,.... The Syriac and Arabic versions add, "with fraud". A descriptive character of a wicked man, Pro 6:13; who so does, either to draw and allure persons to go along with him, and join him in his evil practices; or by way of scorn and contempt of others; or as a token to another of its being the proper time to circumvent his neighbour, or do him an injury.”
2 more voices on this verse
Proverbs 10:10
“He that winketh with the eye - Instead of the latter clause, on which see Pro 10:8, the Septuagint has, ὁ δε ελεγχων μετα παῥρησιας ειρηνοποιει· “but he that reproveth with freedom, maketh peace.” This is also the reading of the Syriac and Arabic.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Proverbs 10:10
“Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Pr 6:13; Ps 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Proverbs 10:11-14
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life: The tongue cluster opens here and runs to the chapter's end, setting “a fountain of life” against a mouth that “conceals violence”. The two clauses of 10:12, “Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions,” state the chapter's case for what speech does to a household.
love covers all transgressions: Hatred stirs up dissension by waking quarrels that had been laid to rest, as John Gill reads the verb. Love covers the transgressions of others and keeps them quiet. The line returns in 1 Peter 4:8.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirreth up strifes,.... A man, whose heart is full of hatred and malice against his neighbour, will stir up, or awake, as the word (d) signifies, contentions and quarrels which were happily laid asleep; these he renews by tale bearing, and whisperings, and evil surmises; by raising lies, spreading false reports and calumnies, and by virulent reproaches and slanders; but love covereth all sins; not its own, but others; in imitation of the pardoning love and grace of God, which covers all the sins of his people with the blood and righteousness of his Son.”
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:12
Ignorance involves a lack of education and learning. It is teaching which implants in us the scientific knowledge of things divine and human. It is possible to live uprightly in poverty. It is also possible in wealth. We admit that it is easier and quicker to track down virtue if we have a preliminary education. It can be hunted down without these aids, although even then those with learning, "with their faculties trained by practice," have an advantage. "Hatred," says Solomon, "stirs up strife, but education guards the paths of life."
Clement of Alexandria · written before 215 · The Stromata Book 1patristic
a rod is for the back: The discerning man is known by his lips, and the man without judgment is taught by a rod on his back. Albert Barnes reads the rod as the chastisement a fool's own speech brings on him. Words and blows are the two teachers here.
The wise store up knowledge: The wise store knowledge like grain, to bring it out at the fit time. John Wesley puts the contrast in two verbs: fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up. Their talk brings ruin near.
Proverbs 10:14
“Lay up - In their minds, to be brought forth upon fit occasions. Knowledge - Whereby they may be enabled to speak both what, and when it is seasonable. But - Fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (1765)evangelical
The Mouth of the Righteous Is a Fountain of Life
Proverbs 10:15-19
The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city: Verses framed as consequence follow: “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life”. Verse 18 names the liar's trade, hatred hidden behind “lying lips”. The cluster reaches its center at verse 19: “When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise”.
Proverbs 10:15
“But riches in themselves are not blameable. For the ransom of a man's life are his riches, for he who gives to the poor, redeems his soul. There is therefore scope for virtue even in these material riches. Ye are as it were pilots, in a great sea. If any man steers well his ship, he quickly passes over the sea, and reaches his haven, but he who cannot manage his property is sunk together with his burthen. Wherefore it is written, The rich man's strength is his strong city.”
Ambrose of Milan · written before 397 · Letters 61-70patristic
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:15
“Destruction - That which crushes, throws into ruins. Wealth secures its possessors against many dangers; poverty exposes men to worse evils than itself, meanness, servility, and cowardice. Below the surface there lies, it may be, a grave irony against the rich; see Pro 18:11.”
The labor of the righteous leads to life: Both men work and both earn, and the difference lies in where the wages go. Adam Clarke has the righteous man laboring to support life and then to share with the poor, while the wicked spends his gain on riot. Gain spent on sin ends in punishment.
Proverbs 10:16
“The labor of the righteous - The good man labors that he may be able to support life; this is his first object: and then to have something to divide with the poor; this is his next object. The fruit of the wicked to sin - This man lives to eat and drink, and his property he spends in riot and excess. God’s blessings are cursed to him.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:16
“The labour - The fruit of his labour, to the preservation of this life, and obtaining eternal life. Fruit - The fruit of all their labour tends to sin, and serves only for fuel to mens pride and luxury.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (1765)evangelical
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life: Albert Barnes reads the Hebrew literally as saying the man who heeds instruction is himself a way of life, a road others walk. The man who ignores reproof leads others astray with him. Influence runs both ways.
Proverbs 10:17
“He is in the way of life - The truly religious man accumulates knowledge that he may the better know how to live to God, and do most good among men.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips: The verse names two faults of the tongue: hatred hidden behind friendly words, and hatred spoken openly as slander. John Gill gives Joab's greeting to Amasa and the kiss of Judas as examples of the first. Either way the speaker is a fool.
Proverbs 10:18
“He that hideth hatred with lying lips,.... Or he whose "lying lips hide hatred", which is much the same; who pretends to be a friend, and outwardly behaves as one, but inwardly nourishes and cherishes hatred in his heart, which he covers and conceals, till he has a proper opportunity of showing it; as Absalom to Ammon, Joab to Amasa, the men of Anathoth to Jeremiah, and Judas to Christ; see Pro 26:24. Or, "he that hideth hatred is a man of lying lips" (m); he is a liar, as the person next described is a fool.”
When words are many, sin is unavoidable: When words are many, each one is another chance to lie, boast or wound. Albert Barnes notes a second rendering, that many words never mend a fault, and prefers the familiar one. He who restrains his lips keeps sin out of his speech.
Proverbs 10:19
The virtue of silence, especially in church, is very great. Let no sentence of the divine lessons escape you. If you give ear, restrain your voice, utter no word with your lips which you would wish to bring back, but let your boldness to speak be sparing. For in truth in much speaking there is abundance of sin. To the murderer it was said, "You have sinned, be silent," that he might not sin more; but to the virgin it must be said, "Be silent lest you sin."
Ambrose of Milan · written before 397 · Concerning Virginity 3.3.11patristic
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:19
“There wanteth not sin - Some render this, “Sin shall not cease,” etc., i. e., many words do not mend a fault. Silence on the part both of the reprover and the offender is often better. The King James Version is, however, preferable.”
Proverbs 10:20-25
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver: The unit weighs the tongue: “The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment”. “The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it” answers the wealth sayings of the chapter's opening.
Proverbs 10:20
“The heart of the wicked is little worth - כמעט kimat, is like little or nothing; or is like dross, while the tongue of the just is like silver. A sinner’s heart is worth nothing, and is good for nothing; and yet because it is his most hidden part, he vaunts of its honesty, goodness, etc.! Yes, yes; it is very honest and good, only the devil is in it! that is all.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The lips of the righteous feed many: The verb feed is a shepherd's word, and Albert Barnes notes it covers guiding the flock as well as nourishing it. The righteous man's words lead and nourish many. The fool dies for lack of judgment he could have had.
Proverbs 10:21
“While many are fed by the lips of the righteous, fools die for want of wisdom; and fools indeed they are to die for want of that which they might so easily come by. Fools die for want of a heart (so the word is); they perish for want of consideration and resolution; they have no heart to do any thing for their own good. While the righteous feed others fools starve themselves.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:21
“Feed - The Hebrew word, like ποιμαίνειν poimainein, includes the idea of guiding as well as nourishing; doing a shepherd’s work in both. For want of wisdom - Some prefer, through him who wanteth understanding, referring to a person. The wise guides others to safety; the fool, empty-headed, and empty-hearted, involves others like himself in destruction.”
The blessing of the LORD enriches: Wealth gained by grasping or by fraud comes with cares attached. Adam Clarke says the blessing of the LORD gives simple enjoyment and levies no tax upon the comfort. The verse answers the ill-gotten treasures of verse 2.
Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich - Whatever we receive in the way of providence, has God’s blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, and difficulties come with all property not acquired in this way; but God’s blessing gives simple enjoyment, and levies no tax upon the comfort.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The fool delights in shameful conduct: The Hebrew says shameful conduct is like laughter to the fool, a game he plays for amusement. Bede adds that the wise man looks ahead and sees the pain that follows such laughter. Understanding takes its pleasure in wisdom.
What the wicked man dreads will overtake him: Each man receives what he has been looking toward, the wicked his dread and the righteous his desire. Bede names them: the wicked man dreads the face of the strict judge, and the righteous long to depart and be with Christ. Both expectations come true.
When the whirlwind passes: As the whirlwind passes, the wicked vanish and the righteous stay secure. Albert Barnes points to the builders of Matthew 7:24 to 27, one house on rock and one on sand. The Hebrew calls the righteous an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:25
“Or, when the whirlwind is passing, then the wicked is no more. Compare Mat 7:24-27. The righteous ... - In the later rabbinic interpretation this was applied to the Messiah as being the Just One, the Everlasting Foundation, on whom the world was established.”
Proverbs 10:26-32
Like vinegar to the teeth: The closing set returns to the comparison: the slacker is “Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,” irritation in place of help. The couplets that follow, from “The righteous will never be shaken” to “a perverse tongue will be cut out,” gather the argument into one rhythm.
Proverbs 10:26
“As vinegar to the teeth - The acid softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, so as to impair their texture, and render them incapable of masticating; and as smoke affects the eyes, irritating their tender vessels, so as to give pain and prevent distinct vision; so the sluggard, the lounging, thriftless messenger, who never returns in time with the desired answer.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The fear of the LORD prolongs life: The saying speaks of the ordinary course of life under God. John Gill adds that every life has a term God has set, and the fear of the LORD lengthens days within it. The wicked cut their own years short.
Proverbs 10:27
“The fear of the Lord prolongeth days,.... Not beyond the time fixed in the unalterable purposes and decrees of God, Job 14:5; but longer than some others, or than those that fear the Lord expect to live; or longer than, according to the course of nature, and the weakness of their constitutions, it could be thought they should live.”
The hope of the righteous is joy: Both men hope, and the difference is what their hope rests on. Adam Clarke describes the wicked man hoping for God's mercy while he goes on in sin, until death ends the hope unfulfilled. The righteous man's hope ends in joy.
Proverbs 10:28
“The expectation of the wicked shall perish - A wicked man is always imposing on himself by the hope of God’s mercy and final happiness; and he continues hoping, till he dies without receiving that mercy which alone would entitle him to that glory.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright: The way of the LORD here is His order for the world, and Albert Barnes notes that it has two sides. The same way that shelters the upright brings ruin on those who do evil. The one way has two ends.
the wicked will not inhabit the land: The righteous will never be shaken from the land God promised. Albert Barnes sees this law carried into Matthew 5:5, where the meek inherit the earth. The wicked lose their place in it.
Proverbs 10:30
“The wicked shall rot inhabit - The other and higher side of the same law of the divine government appears in Mat 5:5.”
1 more voice on this verse
Proverbs 10:30
“The righteous shall never be removed - Because he is built on the eternal foundation. See on Pro 10:25 (note).”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
a perverse tongue will be cut out: The verb bring forth is used of a tree bearing fruit. Albert Barnes carries the image through: the perverse tongue is the barren tree that is cut down. A gift of speech abused is a gift lost.
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting: The righteous man knows what will please and help his hearer, and he speaks that. Adam Clarke says the wicked man knows just as well what is perverse and speaks it, having no law of kindness on his lips. Each mouth speaks what it knows.
Proverbs 10:32
“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable - And what they believe to be most pleasing and most profitable, that they speak, but the wicked man knows as well what is perverse, and that he speaketh forth. As the love of God is not in his heart, so the law of kindness is not on his lips.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
How this psalm is built
The patterns in this chapter
The two-line saying
1 more paragraph on the patterns
Verse 1 opens with the heading the proverbs of Solomon, and from here the book speaks in single sayings of two lines. In this chapter 28 of the 32 verses turn on the word but, so the second line states the opposite of the first. The four verses without it, 10, 18, 22 and 26, add to the first line or compare two things. The sayings are grouped by subject in short runs, and several on the mouth and speech stand together in verses 18 to 21 and 31 to 32. These counts are taken from the Berean text of the chapter in the store.
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Sources for this chapter
The summary
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.
The exposition
Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon; John Gill; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.