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- Jamieson Fausset Brown
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- Chapter 3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Introduction
The study of truth commended. God must be feared, honored, and trusted, and filial submission, under chastisement, exhibited. The excellence of wisdom urged and illustrated by its place in the divine counsels. Piety enforced by a contrast of the destiny of the righteous and the wicked. (Pro. 3:1-35) law [and] commandments--all divine instructions (see on Psa 119:1 and Psa 119:4). let thine heart keep--or sincerely observe (Pro 4:13; Pro 5:2).
Verse 2
length . . . life--often promised as blessings (Psa 21:4; Psa 91:16). peace--includes prosperity (Psa 125:5). add--abound to thee.
Verse 3
mercy and truth--God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Psa 25:10; Psa 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pro 16:6; Pro 20:28). bind . . . write . . . heart--outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.
Verse 4
favour--grace, amiability (Pro 22:11; Psa 45:2); united with this, a good understanding--(Compare Margin), a discrimination, which secures success. in the sight . . . man--such as God and man approve.
Verse 5
Trust . . . heart--This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Pro 22:19; Pro 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.
Verse 6
ways-- (Psa 1:1). acknowledge--by seeking His wise aid (Pro 16:3; Psa 37:5; Jer 9:23-24). direct--literally, "make plain" (compare Heb 12:13).
Verse 8
It--This conduct. health--(Compare Margin). to thy navel--for all the organs of nourishment. marrow--(Compare Margin). bones--frame of body. True piety promotes bodily health.
Verse 11
The true intent of afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17; Heb 12:5-6).
Verse 12
he delighteth--or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.
Verse 13
findeth--literally, "reaches," or "obtains by seeking." getteth--literally, "draws out," as metals by digging.
Verse 14
The figure of Pro 3:13 carried out. it--that is, wisdom. merchandise of silver--acquisition by trading. fine gold--dug gold, solid as a nugget.
Verse 15
rubies--gems, or pearls.
Verse 17
Her ways--such as she directs us to take.
Verse 18
Wisdom allegorized as a tree of life-- (Gen 2:9; Gen 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.
Verse 19
The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession.
Verse 21
sound wisdom--(compare Pro 2:7). let . . . eyes--that is, these words of instruction.
Verse 22
assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.
Verse 25
Be not--or, "You shall not be." sudden fear--what causes it (Pro 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Psa 46:3; Psa 91:12; Pe1 3:14). desolation-- (Pro 1:27).
Verse 26
The reason; such as are objects of God's favor. be thy confidence--literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare Nah 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew).
Verse 27
Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare Jam 2:15-16).
Verse 29
Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.
Verse 31
oppressor--or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot (Psa 37:1-2, Psa 37:35-36).
Verse 32
Reasons for the warning. froward-- (Pro 2:15). secret . . . righteous--in their communion (Amo 3:7).
Verse 33
curse . . . wicked--It abides with them, and will be manifested.
Verse 34
The retribution of sinners, as in Psa 18:26.
Verse 35
inherit--as a portion. shame--or disgrace, as opposed to honor. promotion--(Compare Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so fools are signalized by disgrace. Next: Proverbs Chapter 4