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Proverbs 22:3
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Context
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Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The group of proverbs beginning here terminates at Pro 22:7, where, like the preceding, it closes with a proverb of the rich and the poor. 3 The prudent seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple go forward, and suffer injury. This proverb repeats itself with insignificant variations, Pro 27:12. The Kerı̂ ונסתּר makes it more conformable to the words there used. The Chethı̂b is not to be read ויסתּר, for this Kal is inusit., but ויסּתר, or much rather ויּסּתר, since it is intended to be said what immediate consequence on the part of a prudent man arises from his perceiving an evil standing before him; he sees, e.g., the approaching overthrow of a decaying house, or in a sudden storm the fearful flood, and betimes betakes himself to a place of safety; the simple, on the contrary, go blindly forward into the threatening danger, and must bear the punishment of their carelessness. The fut. consec. 3a denotes the hiding of oneself as that which immediately follows from the being observant; the two perf. 3b, on the other hand, with or without ו, denote the going forward and meeting with punishment as occurring contemporaneously (cf. Psa 48:6, and regarding these diverse forms of construction, at Hab 3:10). "The interchange of the sing. and plur. gives us to understand that several or many simple ones are found for one prudent man" (Hitzig). The Niph. of ענשׁ signifies properly to be punished by pecuniary fine (Exo 21:22) (cf. the post-bibl. קנס, קנס, to threaten punishment, which appears to have arisen from censere, to estimate, to lay on taxes); here it has the general meaning of being punished, viz., of the self-punishment of want of foresight.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
are punished--that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.
John Gill Bible Commentary
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself,.... A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious and careful of his conduct and behaviour; he foresees the evil of sin he is liable to be drawn into by such and such company, snares, and temptations; and therefore he keeps from them, and abstains from all appearance of evil, or what would lead him to it; and he foresees the evil of punishment, or the judgments of God that are coming on for sin; and he betakes himself to the Lord, to those hiding places and chambers of retreat and protection he has provided for his people, till the indignation be overpast; see Isa 26:20; but the simple pass on, and are punished: foolish persons, devoid of the grace of God and the fear of him, go on careless and unconcerned in their sinful course of life, transgressing the law of God; they proceed from evil to evil, from lesser to greater sins; they go on in the broad road to destruction, and are punished with temporal judgments here, and with everlasting destruction hereafter.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
See here, 1. The benefit of wisdom and consideration: A prudent man, by the help of his prudence, will foresee an evil, before it comes, and hide himself; he will be aware when he is entering into a temptation and will put on his armour and stand on his guard. When the clouds are gathering for a storm he takes the warning, and flies to the name of the Lord as his strong tower. Noah foresaw the deluge, Joseph the years of famine, and provided accordingly. 2. The mischief of rashness and inconsideration. The simple, who believe every word that flatters them, will believe none that warns them, and so they pass on and are punished. They venture upon sin, though they are told what will be in the end thereof; they throw themselves into trouble, notwithstanding the fair warning given them, and they repent their presumption when it is too late. See an instance of both these, Exo 9:20, Exo 9:21. Nothing is so fatal to precious souls as this, they will not take warning.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:3 // 27:12 The theme of taking precautions is found in several proverbs (14:8, 15; 21:29).
Proverbs 22:3
A Good Name
2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all. 3The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Covering
By Carter Conlon1.1K34:32WeaknessPRO 22:3PRO 27:12MAT 5:13LUK 14:28In this sermon, the speaker begins by asking the audience if they have enough strength to face the challenges and temptations of the world. He emphasizes the importance of counting the cost before embarking on any endeavor, just as one would do before building a tower. The speaker then questions whether individuals have enough power in their testimony and faith to make a difference in their communities, especially in a society that is rapidly declining. He concludes by highlighting the need to forsake all and be fully committed to being a disciple of Christ, as stated in Luke 14:33. The sermon encourages listeners to have a clear vision, be prepared for evil, and seek wisdom from Proverbs 27:12.
I Am the Lord That Heals You
By Carter Conlon70249:02EXO 15:26PRO 22:3MAT 26:28JHN 6:35ROM 1:161CO 6:9COL 1:111JN 1:9This sermon emphasizes the importance of getting right with God, addressing areas of sin and disobedience in our lives. It highlights the need to surrender to God, seek forgiveness, and live a righteous life in the power of the Holy Spirit. The message encourages immediate action to align with God's will and promises a transformation by the cleansing power of Jesus' blood.
The Stumbling Block of Viewing Things From a Human Point of View
By Ian Robson6711:02:46PRO 22:3This sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning the times we live in spiritually, urging listeners to recognize the signs of the times and not be blind or short-sighted. It highlights the need to seek God's guidance, run from evil, and be filled with the Holy Spirit to overcome spiritual nearsightedness. The message encourages believers to remember God's mercy, follow His calling, and worship Him wholeheartedly.
Purity - Your Past Doesn't Scare God
By Shane Idleman1847:23PurityOvercoming SinPSA 51:10PRO 22:3MRK 14:38ROM 12:21CO 6:18EPH 6:10PHP 4:132TI 1:7JAS 4:71JN 1:9Shane Idleman emphasizes that our past does not intimidate God, encouraging believers to rise above discouragement and defeat. He highlights the destructive nature of sexual sin, particularly pornography, and its impact on spiritual vitality and relationships. Idleman calls for repentance and a return to a vibrant relationship with God, stressing the importance of accountability, prayer, and the application of Scripture in overcoming temptation. He reminds the congregation that persistence in faith and the fight against sin is essential, as many who have achieved great things for God have fallen but chose to rise again. Ultimately, he encourages everyone to embrace God's grace and fight for purity in their lives.
Prophetic Call to Practical Preparation
By Reggie Kelly0PRO 22:3JER 30:7DAN 11:32DAN 12:1AMO 3:7MAT 24:21ROM 11:251TH 5:4REV 1:2Reggie Kelly delivers a prophetic sermon addressing the signs of impending disasters and the importance of the Church's role in preparing for the tribulation period. He emphasizes the need for the Church to awaken to the urgency of its tribulation task, particularly in providing refuge and support for Jews fleeing persecution. Kelly highlights the significance of interpreting prophecy, the alignment of events, and the Church's prophetic call to practical preparation and sacrificial love. He warns of the dangers of apostasy, the rejection of Israel's place in God's plan, and the critical role of faith and obedience in the face of coming judgment.
(Sex, Love & Marriage) 4. Love Is a Many-Splendoured Thing
By Zac Poonen0PRO 4:23PRO 22:3ACT 20:35ROM 5:5ROM 12:21CO 13:4Zac Poonen delivers a powerful sermon on the true meaning of love as described in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of understanding the different levels of love - eros, philia, and agape. He warns against mistaking infatuation for true love, highlighting the dangers of being influenced by worldly concepts of love. Poonen stresses the need for believers to allow the Holy Spirit to guide their relationships, ensuring that love originates from the spirit and is based on God's will. He provides practical advice on how to differentiate between infatuation and agape-love, urging young people to guard their affections and wait for God's timing in relationships.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The group of proverbs beginning here terminates at Pro 22:7, where, like the preceding, it closes with a proverb of the rich and the poor. 3 The prudent seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple go forward, and suffer injury. This proverb repeats itself with insignificant variations, Pro 27:12. The Kerı̂ ונסתּר makes it more conformable to the words there used. The Chethı̂b is not to be read ויסתּר, for this Kal is inusit., but ויסּתר, or much rather ויּסּתר, since it is intended to be said what immediate consequence on the part of a prudent man arises from his perceiving an evil standing before him; he sees, e.g., the approaching overthrow of a decaying house, or in a sudden storm the fearful flood, and betimes betakes himself to a place of safety; the simple, on the contrary, go blindly forward into the threatening danger, and must bear the punishment of their carelessness. The fut. consec. 3a denotes the hiding of oneself as that which immediately follows from the being observant; the two perf. 3b, on the other hand, with or without ו, denote the going forward and meeting with punishment as occurring contemporaneously (cf. Psa 48:6, and regarding these diverse forms of construction, at Hab 3:10). "The interchange of the sing. and plur. gives us to understand that several or many simple ones are found for one prudent man" (Hitzig). The Niph. of ענשׁ signifies properly to be punished by pecuniary fine (Exo 21:22) (cf. the post-bibl. קנס, קנס, to threaten punishment, which appears to have arisen from censere, to estimate, to lay on taxes); here it has the general meaning of being punished, viz., of the self-punishment of want of foresight.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
are punished--that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.
John Gill Bible Commentary
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself,.... A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious and careful of his conduct and behaviour; he foresees the evil of sin he is liable to be drawn into by such and such company, snares, and temptations; and therefore he keeps from them, and abstains from all appearance of evil, or what would lead him to it; and he foresees the evil of punishment, or the judgments of God that are coming on for sin; and he betakes himself to the Lord, to those hiding places and chambers of retreat and protection he has provided for his people, till the indignation be overpast; see Isa 26:20; but the simple pass on, and are punished: foolish persons, devoid of the grace of God and the fear of him, go on careless and unconcerned in their sinful course of life, transgressing the law of God; they proceed from evil to evil, from lesser to greater sins; they go on in the broad road to destruction, and are punished with temporal judgments here, and with everlasting destruction hereafter.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
See here, 1. The benefit of wisdom and consideration: A prudent man, by the help of his prudence, will foresee an evil, before it comes, and hide himself; he will be aware when he is entering into a temptation and will put on his armour and stand on his guard. When the clouds are gathering for a storm he takes the warning, and flies to the name of the Lord as his strong tower. Noah foresaw the deluge, Joseph the years of famine, and provided accordingly. 2. The mischief of rashness and inconsideration. The simple, who believe every word that flatters them, will believe none that warns them, and so they pass on and are punished. They venture upon sin, though they are told what will be in the end thereof; they throw themselves into trouble, notwithstanding the fair warning given them, and they repent their presumption when it is too late. See an instance of both these, Exo 9:20, Exo 9:21. Nothing is so fatal to precious souls as this, they will not take warning.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:3 // 27:12 The theme of taking precautions is found in several proverbs (14:8, 15; 21:29).