Proverbschapter 11
31 verses · KJVProverbs book hub →
A.A False Balance, and the Shame That Follows Pridevv. 1-15
Proverbs 11:1-3
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: The false balance and the just weight are not metaphor but the marketplace itself, where a merchant kept two sets of stones, light ones for selling and heavy ones for buying, and the Lord names the practice an abomination while calling the honest weight his delight. Pride and shame travel together as cause and effect, and the lowly carry wisdom instead. Integrity is pictured as a guide that leads a man home, while perverseness works the opposite errand and destroys the very people who trust it.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:1, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:1
“Therefore let every man weigh his words, not with deceit and guile, for a false balance is abomination to the Lord. I do not mean that balance which weighs the wares of others, (though even in lesser matters deceit often costs dear,) but that balance of words is hateful to the Lord, which wears the mask of the weight of sober gravity, and yet practises the artifices of cunning. Great is God's anger, if a man deceive his neighbour by flattering promises, and by treacherous subtlety oppress his debtor, a craft which will not benefit himself.”
Ambrose of Milan· fourth century· Letters 1-10patristic
Proverbs 11:1
“This emphatic reproduction of the old rule of Deu 25:13-14 is perhaps a trace of the danger of dishonesty incidental to the growing commerce of the Israelites. The stress laid upon the same sin in Pro 16:11; Pro 20:10; bears witness to the desire of the teacher to educate the youth of Israel to a high standard of integrity, just as the protest of Hosea against it Hos 12:7 shows the zeal of the prophet in rebuking what was becoming more and more a besetting sin.”
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:2, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:2
“He is truly wise who truthfully recognizes his own and others' nothingness and the sublimity of the first principle. But no one arrives at full knowledge of God except through true and right knowledge of oneself; nor does he rightly know himself who does not …”
Bonaventure· thirteenth century· Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 1patristic
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride cometh - The proud man thinks much more of himself than any other can do; and, expecting to be treated according to his own supposed worth, which treatment he seldom meets with, he is repeatedly mortified, ashamed, confounded, and rendered indignant. With the lowly - צנועים tsenuim, ταπεινων, the humble, the modest, as opposed to the proud, referred to in the first clause.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Proverbs 11:4-8
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: states plainly what money cannot buy, and righteousness stands in its place as the only deliverance named. Four proverbs work the same ground from different angles: the righteous man's own integrity is his road, the wicked man's own wickedness is his downfall, and the two courses run to opposite ends even in something as small as who takes whose place in trouble. When a wicked man dies his every expectation perishes with him, the bench observes, because he invested his hope in what death takes away.
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:4, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:4
“In the day of public judgments riches often expose men rather than protect them, Ezek. vii. It is righteousness only that will deliver from the evil of death. A good conscience will make death easy, and take off the terror of it; it is the privilege of the righteous only not to be hurt of the second death, and so not much hurt by the first.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:5, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:5
To be repeatedly requesting forgiveness for offenses repeatedly committed is not repentance, only its appearance. "The righteousness of the blameless keeps their way straight," proclaims Scripture, and again, "The righteousness of the innocent will set straight their way."
Clement of Alexandria· third century· The Stromata Book 2patristic
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:7, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:7
"And the expectation of the diligent will perish." Similarly, there is one kind of diligence with which the good are always girded to fulfill God's commandments; another, with which the wicked, when they sin knowingly, fear diligently lest they someday be seized for eternal punishment. …
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:7
Significant words, as showing the belief that when the righteous died, his “expectation” (i. e., his hope for the future) did not perish. The second clause is rendered by some, “the expectation that brings sorrow.”
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:8, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:8
"The righteous is delivered out of trouble," etc. Any martyr freed from the distress of suffering after death will be entrusted to punishment on account of his cause to the persecutor who caused him distress. James was crowned with martyrdom, Peter was saved from prison; …
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:8
“8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. As always in death, so sometimes in life, the righteous are remarkably favoured and the wicked crossed. Good people are helped out of the distresses which they thought themselves lost in, and their feet are set in a large room, Ps. lxvi.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
Proverbs 11:9-11
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: , and only knowledge, not innocence alone, delivers the just from the harm his words intend. The next two proverbs widen the lens from neighbor to city: when it goeth well with the righteous the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there is shouting, so that one man's character is shown to move a whole town's fortune. The blessing of the upright exalts a city and the mouth of the wicked overthrows it, the same public stake the surrounding proverbs give to private virtue.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:9, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:9
"A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor," etc. A heretic who pretends to teach Catholic doctrine deceives his listener; but those who justly follow the truth of the Gospel will be freed by Catholic knowledge so that they are not snatched by heretic deception.
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:9
“A hypocrite with his mouth - חנף chaneph might be better translated infidel than hypocrite. The latter is one that pretends to religion; that uses it for secular purposes. The former is one who disbelieves Divine revelation, and accordingly is polluted, and lives in pollution. This is properly the force of the original word. Such persons deal in calumny and lies, and often thus destroy the character of their neighbor.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:11, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:11
The blessing of the upright - Probably the prayers which he offers for the good of the city in which he dwells, and which avail to preserve it from destruction (compare Gen 18:23-33); or “the blessing which God gives the upright.”
Proverbs 11:12-14
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: while the man of understanding holds his peace, and the contrast sets up the next verse's specific case: the talebearer reveals secrets that a faithful spirit conceals. Where no counsel is the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, a proverb the bench applies to nations and households alike, since both stand or fall on whether wise voices are heard before decisions are made.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:13, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:13
"He who walks prudently reveals secrets," etc. And the Lord in the Gospel, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother," etc. (Matt. XVIII). From this, …
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:13
“The man who comes to us with tales about others will reveal our secrets also. Faithfulness is shown, not only in doing what a man has been commissioned to do, but in doing it quietly and without garrulity.”
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:14, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:14
“Cassian said, 'Moses the Hermit told us, "It is good not to hide our thoughts; we ought to disclose them to discreet and devout elders; but not to those who are old merely in years, for many have found final despair instead of comfort by …”
Desert Fathers· fifth century· The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monkspatristic
Proverbs 11:14
“Counsel - See Pro 1:5 note. This precept may well be thought of as coming with special force at the time of the organization of the monarchy of Israel. Compare 1Ki 12:6.”
Proverbs 11:15-16
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: repeats the book's standing warning against pledging for a debt not one's own, first given at 6:1-5, and he that hateth suretiship is sure states the safer course bluntly. A gracious woman retaineth honour stands beside it, and strong men retain riches by a different kind of strength, so that the pairing credits grace and might each with what they are actually able to keep.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:15, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:15
“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it,.... Or in "breaking shall be broken" (q), ruined and undone; he engaging or becoming a bondsman for one whose circumstances he knew not; and these being bad bring a load upon him, such an heavy debt as crushes him to pieces.”
Proverbs 11:15
“See the marginal reference. The play upon “sure” and “suretiship” in the the King James Version (though each word is rightly rendered) has nothing corresponding to it in the Hebrew, and seems to have originated in a desire to give point to the proverb.”
B.The Liberal Soul Shall Be Made Fatvv. 16-31
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:16, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:16
“A gracious woman retaineth honor - Instead of this clause, the Septuagint have, Γυνη ευχαριστος εγειρει ανδρι δοζαν, “A gracious woman raiseth up honor to the man;” Θρονος δε ατιμιας γυνη μισουσα δικαια, “But she that hateth righteous things is a throne of dishonor.” A good wife is an honor to her husband; and a bad wife is her husband’s reproach: if this be so, how careful should a man be whom he marries!”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Proverbs 11:17-19
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: and the cruel man troubles his own flesh, so that kindness and cruelty are shown paying their wages to the one who deals them before they touch anyone else. The wicked man's work is called deceitful because it promises gain and delivers loss, while the one who sows righteousness is promised a sure reward, a certainty the harvest language of sowing makes vivid. Righteousness tends to life, and the pursuit of evil pursues the evildoer back to his own death, the cluster's closing line stated as plainly as its opening one.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:17, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:17
Prayer rises up quickly to the ears of God when lifted up by the recommendation of [alms and fasting]. Since, as it has been written, "the merciful man benefits his own soul," nothing belongs to each individual more than what has been spent on one's neighbor. Part of those physical resources which are used to help the poor become transformed into eternal riches. Born from this generosity are funds which will not be able to be diminished through use nor damaged through decay. "Blessed are the merciful, for God will have mercy on them."
Leo the Great· fifth century· SERMON 16:2patristic
Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling. But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, “He frets his flesh off his bones.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:18, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:18
Deceitful work - Work which deceives and disappoints the worker; in contrast with the “sure reward” of the second clause. Omit “shall be” and render, “but he that soweth righteousness worketh a sure reward.”
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:19, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:19
“As righteousness tendeth to life,.... Or, is unto life: not mere outward acts of moral righteousness; these may be done where there is no principle of spiritual life, and are no other than dead works, and will never bring to everlasting life; indeed the best righteousness of man's is no justification of life, nor can it entitle to it, nor is meritorious of it. Godliness, or true holiness, has the promise of this life and that to come, 1Ti 4:8; and so here in the Hebrew text it is, "unto lives" (x), in the plural number.”
Proverbs 11:20-22
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: echoes the false balance of verse 1, bracketing the chapter's first half on the same word, abomination, now applied to the heart rather than the hand. Though hand join in hand states a Hebrew idiom for a pledge or conspiracy, and the proverb answers it: no alliance secures the wicked from punishment, while the righteous line is delivered regardless. The jewel of gold in a swine's snout is the chapter's sharpest image, beauty without discretion pictured as treasure wasted on an animal that cannot value it, a comparison Bridges calls one of the most vivid in the book.
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:21, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:21
“The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Ps 37:25, 26).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:22, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:22
“Reason also forbids us to do violence to nature by piercing the lobes of the ear. Why not pierce the nostrils also? The Scriptures would then be accomplished indeed: "As a ring in the nose of the swine, so is beauty in a foolish woman." To conclude, if anyone thinks he is decorated when he wears gold, then he is less than his gold, and he who is less than gold is not its master.”
Clement of Alexandria· third century· The Instructor Book 3patristic
Proverbs 11:22
“A jewel of gold in a swine’s snout - That is, beauty in a woman destitute of good breeding and modest carriage, is as becoming as a gold ring on the snout of a swine. Coverdale translates thus: “A fayre woman without discrete maners, is like a ringe of golde in a swyne’s snoute.” In Asiatic countries the nose jewel is very common: to this the text alludes.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Proverbs 11:23-27
The desire of the righteous is only good: , but the wicked can expect only wrath, and the five proverbs that follow work out the same contrast in the economics of giving. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and the liberal soul is made fat by the very giving that looks like loss, while withholding more than is meet tends only to poverty. The grain merchant who hoards corn in scarcity earns the people's curse and the one who sells it earns their blessing, a proverb the bench ties to real famine practice in the ancient marketplace.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:24, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:24
“Others seize what is not theirs, etc. He says, They will always be in poverty, not only in torments, where they receive not even a drop of water to be refreshed for a short while (Luke XVI), but even in this life, where although they …”
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:24
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth,.... That scattereth "his own", as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions add: that disperses his money here and there, among many poor objects, plentifully and liberally; and his substance is so far from being lessened by such a conduct, that, by the blessing of God, it is increased more and more; or "become richer", as the Vulgate Latin; see Psa 112:”
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:25, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:25
“The soul that blesses will be enriched, etc. He who outwardly blesses by preaching receives inwardly the fatness of increase. And while he ceases not to drench the minds of his hearers with sacred discourse, he himself grows fat with the multiple drink of grace.”
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:25
“Liberal soul - literally, “the soul that blesses,” i. e., gives freely and fully. The similitudes are both of them essentially Eastern. Fatness, the sleek, well filled look of health, becomes the figure of prosperity, as leanness of misfortune Pro 13:4; Pro 28:25; Psa 22:29; Isa 10:16. Kindly acts come as the refreshing dew and soft rain from heaven upon a thirsty land.”
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:26, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:26
“He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him,.... That hoards it up for a better price, in hopes of a better market; and does not bring it out, and expose it to sale, when there is a scarcity of it; so the Targum adds, "in famine"; or, "in straits", as the Syriac version; in a time of distress through, famine: this will bring the curse of the poor upon him, who will imprecate the most dreadful things on him and his family.”
Proverbs 11:26
“He that withholdeth corn - Who refuses to sell because he hopes for a dearth, and then he can make his own price. The people shall curse him - Yes, and God shall curse him also; and if he do not return and repent, he will get God’s curse, and the curse of the poor, which will be a canker in his money during time, and in his soul throughout eternity.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:27, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:27
“Procureth - Better, striveth after. He who desires good, absolutely, for its own sake, is also unconsciously striving after the favor which attends goodness.”
Proverbs 11:28-29
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: , and the righteous, planted in different soil, flourish as a branch instead, the same contrast the Psalms draw between the wicked as chaff and the righteous as a tree. He that troubleth his own house inherits the wind, a fitting wage for what he sowed, since wind is what a man is left holding when he has driven off everything solid, and such a fool ends by serving the wise of heart he once despised.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:28, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:28
“He who trusts in his riches will fall, etc. He who hankers after present goods and does not think of future ones, will lack both in the end. But those who do good in the hope of future rewards, justly receive what they hope for …”
Bede· eighth century· Commentary on Proverbspatristic
Proverbs 11:28
“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall,.... As leaves in autumn, which are withered and dry.”
Voices on this verse, 1What a preacher or commentator has said about Proverbs 11:29, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:29
“He that troubleth his own house,.... His family, his wife, and children, and servants; by being bitter to the one, and by provoking the others to wrath, and continually giving out menacing words to the rest; or through idleness, not providing for his family; or through an over worldly spirit, pushing on business, and hurrying it on beyond measure; or through a niggardly and avaricious temper, withholding meat and drink, and clothes convenient for them; see Pro 15:27; or through profuseness and prodigality.”
Proverbs 11:30-31
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life: , the same image the book uses for wisdom found (3:18) and desire fulfilled (13:12), and he that winneth souls is wise closes the chapter on the highest use a wise man can make of his life, turning others toward the same righteousness. The final verse, behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner, is quoted at 1 Peter 4:18 in the form of the Septuagint, if the righteous scarcely be saved, where scarcely reads recompensed and the apostle's Greek argues from the difficulty of the righteous man's path rather than the Hebrew's certainty of his reward. The bench notes the divergence honestly rather than harmonizing it away, since both texts are Scripture and both are read as they stand.
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:30, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of righteousness and the tree of life is Christ. He alone, as man, fulfilled all righteousness. And with His own underived life He has brought forth the fruits of knowledge and virtue like a tree, whereof they that eat shall receive eternal life, and shall enjoy the tree of life in paradise, with Adam and all the righteous. But the souls of the unrighteous meet an untimely expulsion from the presence of God, by whom they shall be left to remain in the flame of torment.”
Hippolytus of Rome· third century· Hippolytus Exegetical Fragmentspatristic
Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life - עץ חיים ets chaiyim, “the tree of lives.” It is like that tree which grew in the paradise of God; increasing the bodily and mental vigor of those who ate of it. He that winneth souls is wise - Wisdom seeks to reclaim the wanderers; and he who is influenced by wisdom will do the same.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Voices on this verse, 2What preachers and commentators have said about Proverbs 11:31, in their own words.
Proverbs 11:31
“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth,.... Which Aben Ezra understands of the recompence of their good works. There is a reward for the righteous, and which they have now in keeping, though not "for" keeping, the commandments of God; they have the promise of this life, as well as of that which is to come, and which is made good to them; they have every good thing now which is proper and convenient for them; and they shall be recompensed in the new earth, in which only righteous persons will dwell.”
Proverbs 11:31
“The sense would appear to be, “The righteous is requited, i. e., is punished for his lesser sins, or as a discipline; much more the wicked, etc.” Compare 1Pe 4:18.”
Proverbs 11:31
- Quoted in1 Peter 4:18And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
'If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly appear?'
Where the chapter sits
Proverbs 11 falls in Solomon's proverbs proper (chapters 10–24). Short antithetical and synonymous couplets; the core of the book's gnomic register. Ch 22:17–24:34 labeled ''words of the wise''.
Before it: Sayings of Solomon: long discourses, chapters 1–9. After it: Hezekiah's men: Solomon's proverbs copied, chapters 25–29.
The whole shape of Proverbs→Key words
The Hebrew words this chapter turns on, by how often it uses them. Each one opens its word study.
| Word | What it means | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| רָשָׁעrâshâʻ8 times, as רָשָֽׁע׃, רָ֭שָׁע, רָשָׁ֣ע | wicked | 5, 7, 8, 10 and 4 more |
| צַדִּיקtsaddîyq8 times, as צַ֭דִּיק, צַדִּיקִ֥ים, צַ֭דִּיקִים | righteous | 8, 9, 10, 21 and 4 more |
| צְדָקָהtsᵉdâqâh5 times, as וּ֝צְדָקָ֗ה, צִדְקַ֣ת, צְ֝דָקָ֗ה | righteousness | 4, 5, 6, 18 and 1 more |
| בּוֹאbôwʼ4 times, as בָּֽא־, וַיָּבֹ֣א, וַיָּבֹ֖א | come | 2, 8, 27 |
| רַעraʻ4 times, as רַע־, רָעָ֣ה, רָּ֑ע | bad | 15, 19, 21, 27 |
| רָצוֹןrâtsôwn3 times, as רְצוֹנֽוֹ׃, וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ, רָצ֑וֹן | acceptance | 1, 20, 27 |
Cross references
The 8 chapters this one speaks with, most first. Open a row for the verses it shares.
Proverbs 104 verses
Proverbs 11:4
Proverbs 10:2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.Proverbs 11:19
Proverbs 10:16The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.Proverbs 11:12
Proverbs 10:19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.Proverbs 11:7
Proverbs 10:28The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.- Read Proverbs 10 →
Proverbs 203 verses
Proverbs 11:14
Proverbs 20:18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.Proverbs 11:13
Proverbs 20:19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.Proverbs 11:1
Proverbs 20:23Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.- Read Proverbs 20 →
Matthew 52 verses
Proverbs 11:23
Matthew 5:6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.Proverbs 11:17, 25
Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.- Read Matthew 5 →
Proverbs 162 verses
Proverbs 11:1
Proverbs 16:11A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.Proverbs 11:2
Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.- Read Proverbs 16 →
The rest of the chapters this one speaks with, 4 of them, for a reader following a thread past the four above
- Proverbs 292 verses
- Luke 182 verses
- Proverbs 282 verses
- Proverbs 212 verses
Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.
Featured studies
Pages of this site that take up something in this chapter. Each one opens on its own.
The world behind itThe place, the time and the people around this chapter, for a reader who wants the setting.
The world behind this chapter
Proverbs 11The history
"A false balance is abomination to the LORD" describes an actual piece of equipment. Trade used a beam balance with stone weights, and archaeologists have dug up sets of inscribed Judean weights, the beka, the pim, the shekel, some of them shaved or over-cut. A dishonest trader carried two sets in his bag: a heavy stone for buying and a light one for selling.
"He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him" points at grain hoarding. In a bad year a man with full storage jars could sit on his grain, watch the price climb, and sell in the hungry month. It was perfectly legal and universally hated, and the proverb sides with the town against him.
The chapter is full of the language of the assembly: "by the blessing of the upright the city is exalted," "in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Decisions in an Israelite town were made in public by the elders at the gate, so a wise or corrupt handful genuinely could lift or ruin the place.
"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout" would have raised a laugh and a wince. The pig was unclean and despised, and a gold nose ring was the sort of ornament a bride wore. The mismatch is the whole joke.
What it meant to them
The first hearers did their business standing at that gate, watching a stone drop into a pan. The chapter says God is watching the pan.
And the chapter refuses to let riches be the final measure: "riches profit not in the day of wrath." To people who could see exactly who in town had the fullest jars, that was a deliberately unsettling line.
Sources cited
- John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
- Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions
Connections
Where this chapter reaches into the rest of Scripture, with the verse each connection stands on.
The text of this chapter
This page carries no textual note on Proverbs 11. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →
This page draws on 14 works. Open for the list.
This page draws on Adam Clarke; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrose of Milan, Letters 1-10; Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Bonaventure, Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 1; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; Clement of Alexandria; Desert Fathers, The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon; Hippolytus of Rome, Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871); John Gill; Leo the Great, SERMON 16:2 and Matthew Henry.