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Proverbs 29

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Consequences of Stubbornness and Wicked Rule 1–7

1
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. ​
2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. ​
3
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. ​
5
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. ​

Wise Communication and Just Governance 8–14

8
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. ​
9
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. ​
12
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. ​
14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. ​

Discipline, Instruction, and Revelation 15–18

15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. ​
16
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ​

Practical Warnings About Speech and Relationships 19–27

19
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. ​
20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. ​
26
Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. ​
27
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · Public domain

Study Notes for Proverbs 29

Verse 1

hardeneth his neck — The Hebrew is qashah, to be stiff, and the neck (oreph) is the one that will not bow: 'be no more stiffnecked' (Deut 10:16). 'Suddenly' and 'without remedy' (marpe, a cure) repeat Prov 6:15 word for word. Judah's end in 2 Chr 36:16 is the same: 'till there was no remedy.'

Verse 2

in authority — Literally 'are multiplied' (rabah), the verb of Prov 28:28, 'the righteous increase'; v.16 has its opposite, 'when the wicked are multiplied'. 'Mourn' (anach) is to sigh, as Israel 'sighed by reason of the bondage' (Ex 2:23). Shushan shows both outcomes: 'perplexed' under Haman's decree (Esth 3:15), 'rejoiced and was glad' under Mordecai (Esth 8:15).

Verse 4

receiveth gifts — Literally 'a man of terumot', the plural of the word usually rendered 'offering' for what was lifted up and given for the sanctuary (Ex 25:2). Here the word is used of what a man takes for himself. The Law had already said 'the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous' (Ex 23:8); by justice (mishpat) the king 'establisheth the land'.

Verse 7

considereth the cause of the poor — 'Cause' (din) and 'to know' (daath, knowledge) are the two words of Jer 22:16, said of Josiah: 'He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.' The righteous 'considereth' (yada, to know); the wicked 'regardeth not' (bin, to understand) to know it.

Verse 8

Scornful men bring a city into a snare — The verb puach means to blow or fan, as a breeze or a fire; scorners (latson, derision) stir a city up. 'Wise men turn away wrath' (aph, anger), as 'a soft answer turneth away wrath' (Prov 15:1) and 'a wise man will pacify' the king's wrath (Prov 16:14).

Verse 11

uttereth all his mind — 'Mind' is ruach, spirit, the same word as in 'he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down' (Prov 25:28). The wise man 'keepeth it in' (shabach, to still, as the LORD 'stilleth the noise of the seas', Ps 65:7), holding it back till afterwards. Compare 'A fool's wrath is presently known' (Prov 12:16).

Verse 13

the poor and the deceitful man — 'Deceitful' (takak) occurs only here, from a root meaning to crush: the man who presses the poor. Compare 'The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all' (Prov 22:2). To 'lighten' the eyes is to give light and life ('Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death', Ps 13:3); compare Matt 5:45.

Verse 14

faithfully judgeth the poor — 'Faithfully' is emeth, truth. The throne 'established for ever' (kun) recalls the promise to David, 'thy throne shall be established for ever' (2 Sam 7:16). The pattern is fulfilled in the Messiah: 'with righteousness shall he judge the poor' (Isa 11:4); see also Ps 72:2–4.

Verse 15

The rod and reproof — 'Rod' is shebet, a stick, and 'reproof' (tokachath) is the noun of v.1, where the man 'often reproved' hardens his neck. The two together 'give wisdom'. A child 'left to himself' is literally sent away or let loose (shalach). The partner verse is 'Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest' (v.17); compare Prov 13:24 and 22:15.

Verse 18

no vision, the people perish — 'Vision' is chazon, a revelation: 'the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision' (1 Sam 3:1). 'Perish' is para, to loosen or uncover, as when 'the people were naked' (Ex 32:25) after Aaron 'had made them naked'. The remedy is the law, and 'happy' (ashre) is the word that opens Ps 1:1.

Verse 19

A servant will not be corrected by words — 'Corrected' is yasar, to chasten or instruct, the verb of 'Correct thy son' (v.17). The servant, 'though he understand' (bin), 'will not answer' (maaneh, a reply): he hears and gives none, as in 'I called my servant, and he gave me no answer' (Job 19:16). For such, 'a rod for the fool's back' (Prov 26:3).

Verse 25

The fear of man bringeth a snare — 'Fear' is charadah, trembling, and 'snare' (mokesh) is a noose for catching animals. 'Safe' is sagab, to be set on high out of reach, the word of 'the name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe' (Prov 18:10). John 12:42–43 shows the snare: rulers who believed would not confess him, 'for they loved the praise of men'.

Verse 26

seek the ruler's favour — Literally 'seek the face (panim) of a ruler'. The verse sets that against 'every man's judgment' (mishpat), the verdict on him, which 'cometh from the LORD'. The same thought stands in 'the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD… he turneth it whithersoever he will' (Prov 21:1) and 'the whole disposing' of the lot (Prov 16:33).