A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
Proverbs Chapter 17
(Pro. 17:1-28)
sacrifices--or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pro 7:14; Lev 2:3; Lev 7:31).
with--literally, "of."
strife--its product, or attendant.
(Compare Pro 14:35).
causeth shame-- (Pro 10:5).
shall . . . inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Num 27:4, Num 27:7).
God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; Psa 66:10) the heart.
Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
(Compare Pro 14:31).
glad at calamities--rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pro 13:22; Psa 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pro 16:12-13).
One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pro 18:16; Pro 19:6).
seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
Such meet just retribution (Kg1 2:25).
a cruel messenger--one to inflict it.
They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
(Compare Psa 7:4; Psa 35:12).
evil--injury to another (Pro 13:21).
letteth . . . water--as a breach in a dam.
before . . . meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
abomination . . . Lord--as reversing His method of acting (Pro 3:32; Pro 12:2).
Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pro 3:16; Pro 14:24).
To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
(Compare Pro 6:1-5; Pro 11:15).
in the presence, &c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
strife--contention is, and leads to, sin.
he that exalteth his gate--gratifies a vain love of costly building.
seeketh--or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pro 8:36).
The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
(Compare Pro 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
(Compare Pro 14:30; Pro 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known.
medicine--or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone."
drieth--as if the marrow were exhausted.
a gift . . . bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom.
to pervert--that is, by bribery.
Wisdom . . . him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
a grief--or cross, vexation (compare Pro 17:21; Pro 10:1).
Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.