Proverbs 29 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Proverbs 29

29:1   He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2   When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3   He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4   By justice a king builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts¹ tears it down.
5   A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.
6   An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7   A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8   Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.
9   If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10   Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.²
11   A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12   If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.
13   The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
    the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14   If a king faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.
15   The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16   When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17   Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.
18   Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,³
    but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19   By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
    for though he understands, he will not respond.
20   Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21   Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
    will in the end find him his heir.⁴
22   A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23   One’s pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24   The partner of a thief hates his own life;
    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25   The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
26   Many seek the face of a ruler,
    but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
27   An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
    but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Footnotes

[1] 29:4 Or who taxes heavily
[2] 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
[3] 29:18 Or the people are discouraged
[4] 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain

Commentary

v1: The great danger in not receiving rebuke. One who is often rebuked is a persistent wrong doer, who will not learn; is life is the path to destruction.

v2: The blessing of righteous and godly leadership; see 28.12, 28; equally, godly leadership in the church is a great blessing to the people. Righteous leaders promote righteous living; in the history of Israel, the way of life of the king was reflected in the way of life of his people.

v3: Pointing us to the prodigal son, a companion of prostitutes who wasted his wealth.

v4: A ruler must be just, and reject bribes.

v5: Flattery (28.23) is deceitful, and reduces the respect a person has for another. The net catches both the flatterer and his neighbour.

v6: The blessing in being righteous, it has its own reward, and brings us joy.

v7: Concern for the poor, see 28.27; Ps 41.1.

v8: Mockers promote disputes and strife; the wise calm tempers, and divert anger.

v9: The fool cannot settle disputes. There is an attitude in some that frequently finds itself in dispute with others, that refuses to see another's view point, that maintains poor relationships with others.

v10: Antagonism from the wicked; the godly have a heavenly home, and find themselves in a foreign land on this earth.

We should also maintain a good attitude towards the righteous, even though we may not walk with them in all things. See Phil 2.20.

v11: The wise man is self-controlled, not expressing his feelings.

v12: A good ruler may fall into error, especially if those advising him are wicked. Rehoboam may have been a good ruler, but he was swayed by those around him.

v13: All men are subject to the Lord. Wealth, in particular, carries no weight in the courts of God (22.2).

v14: The righteous ruler has a concern for the poor, see v4, 7.

v15: Without reproof and restraint, the child develops bad attitudes.

v16: The wicked cannot but spread their sins and bad attitudes.

v17: There is a reward for exercising proper discipline.

v18: We must proclaim God's word; it affects how people live; it restrains sin and selfish living; it promotes prophetic vision, which also encourages God's people to obedience.

v19: Rebuke only by man's words is not always sufficient. Some still will not understand, and change their ways.

v20: The hasty speaker is like the fool. We must weigh up our own words before we speak them.

v21: To pamper another s not always beneficial. This is true of a child also, v17.

v22: Unrestrained anger is destructive.

v23: A humble attitude is commended.

v24: The accomplice of a thief; he shares his deceit, and has to maintain that deceit. His testimony would condemn both himself and his accomplice.

v25: Fear of man ensnares us; rather we must trust and fear the Lord.

v26: Recognise the limitations of even the king. It is from the Lord God that perfect justice comes.

v27: A summary; the contrast between righteous and wicked; this contrast brings inevitable antagonism.