Proverbs 21 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
CHAPTER 21
Pr 21:1-31.
1. rivers--irrigating channels (Psa 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare De 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pr 16:9; Psa 33:15).
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
2. (Compare Pr 14:2; 16:2-25).
3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
3. (Compare Psa 50:7-15; Is 1:11, 17).
4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
4. high look--(Compare Margin; Psa 131:1).
proud heart--or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare Psa 101:5).
ploughing--better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity (Pr 20:20); hence joy or delight.
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
5. The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare Pr 19:2).
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
6. The getting--or, "what is obtained" (compare Job 7:2; Jr 22:13, Hebrew).
vanity ... to and fro--as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare Pr 20:17-21; Psa 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.
them ... death--act as if they did (Pr 8:36; 17:19).
7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
7. robbery--or, "destruction," especially oppression, of which they are authors.
shall destroy--literally, "cut with a saw" (1Ki 7:9), that is, utterly ruin them. Their sins shall be visited on them in kind.
to do judgment--what is just and right.
8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
8. of man--any one; his way is opposed to truth, and also estranged from it. The pure proves himself such by his right conduct.
9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
9. corner--a turret or arbor on the roof.
brawling--or contentious.
wide house--literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
10. So strongly does he desire to do evil (Psa 10:3; Ec 8:11), that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.
11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
11. (Compare Pr 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.
12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
12. (Compare Psa 37:35-38; 73:17, 20).
house--family or interests.
overthroweth--either supply "God" (compare Pr 10:24), or the word is used impersonally.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
13. The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Psa 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
14. The effect of bribery (Pr 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.
15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
15. But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
16. the way of understanding--(Compare Pr 12:26; 14:22).
remain--that is, rest as at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.
17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
17. Costly luxuries impoverish.
18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
18. (Compare Pr 11:8). By suffering what they had devised for the righteous, or brought on them, the wicked became their ransom, in the usual sense of substitutes (compare Jos 7:26; Es 7:9).
19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
19. (Compare Pr 21:9).
wilderness--pasture, though uninhabitable ground (Psa 65:12).
20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
20. The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools
spend--literally, "swallow it up," greedily.
21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
21. He who tries to act justly and kindly (Psa 34:14) will prosper and obtain justice and honor.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
22. "Wisdom is better than strength" (Ec 7:19; 9:15).
strength ... thereof--that in which they confide.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
23. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).
24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
24. The reproachful name is deserved by those who treat others with anger and contempt.
25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
25. desire--that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.
26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
26. The sin of covetousness marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
27. God regards the heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency.
wicked mind--or, "design" (Pr 1:4).
28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
28. (Compare Pr 19:5).
that heareth--or heeds instruction, and so grows wise.
speaketh constantly--or sincerely (compare Ha 1:5), and hence is believed (Pr 12:19; Jas 1:19).
29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
29. hardeneth his face--is obstinate.
directeth ... way--considers it, and acts advisedly.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
30-31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Psa 20:7; 33:17).
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
30-31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Psa 20:7; 33:17).