Proverbs
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Proverbs 21
Proverbs 21
1The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Commentary · verse 1
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Commentary · verse 2
Man (in the flesh) saw his actions as right but God saw the effects of these actions (causes) in the heart. God could also direct the actions of a person in pride because they were completely predictable and on the wrong side of Justice, which allowed God to respond to them through Justice.
3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Commentary · verse 3
Doing Right and Just actions was better than giving up something to God. God wanted all of us to be like Him: Right and Just.
Doctrines on this passage
4A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Commentary · verses 4-5
The thoughts of the diligent were focused on profitability. Those who acted quickly and without thought were focused on what they could have now.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
Commentary · verses 6-7
The wicked refused to act justly.
8The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
Commentary · verse 8
The "pure" was used as the contrast of those with "guilt." Guilt was removed by confession and repentance, something the "pure" would have done.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.
9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
Commentary · verses 9-12
The righteous were willing to consider anything, even the house of the wicked.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Commentary · verses 13-15
The righteous saw just actions as a joy while the workers of iniquity saw them as destruction.
Doctrines on this passage
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Commentary · verse 16
Without understanding (the why) we remained in death.
17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Commentary · verse 17
Loving things that were short term would only last short term.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Commentary · verses 18-20
A fool did not recognize the treasure of wisdom, because a fool was a man without understanding.
21He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Commentary · verse 21
Being led by righteousness and kindness brought life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Commentary · verses 22-23
Those who kept (guard) their mouth and tongue (words) did so by guarding the place where their words come from, their soul.
24The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Commentary · verses 24-26
Some made gaining now a cause, some made giving now a cause.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
28A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
29A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Commentary · verses 27-29
The upright were bold in their path. They knew where they were going because they knew WHY and HOW they were getting there.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Commentary · verse 30
There was no wisdom, understanding, or counsel against God…these three all came from God.
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Commentary · verse 31
Proverbs 19-21 covered three chapters that progressed the theme by showing the benefits of managing the causes (actions and words) that resulted in what was planted in your heart, not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others.
God could turn a king's heart because God knew the causes of a king's heart. Kings would do whatever it took to remain in "power," and their actions would be planted in their heart. God knew what the kings would do (effect) and how to "turneth" their heart because He knew their thought process (cause).
The belief that kings were more difficult for God to control than people who were not kings was proof of valuing the physical (including physical power) instead of the spiritual causes presented in the first twenty chapters of this book.