Proverbs 25
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 25:1-28) The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction). also--refers to the former part of the book. copied out--literally, "transferred," that is, from some other book to this; not given from memory.
Open source ↗These are are also proverbs of Solomon,.... These that follow to the end of the book, as well as those which go before. Here begins a "third", some say a "fourth" part of this book. The Targum and Syriac version read, "these are also the deep proverbs of Solomon;'' and the Arabic version adds, "the exposition of which is difficult;'' which the men Hezekiah king of Judah copied out; out of the writings of Solomon; out of his three thousand proverbs, it, nay be; or out of the public records, which contained an account of his words and deeds. Who these men were is not certain; perhaps his ministers of state, Eliakim, Sheban, and Joah; or the prophets of his time, Isaiah, Micah, and Hosea: the Targum and Syriac version call them his "friends". Whoever they were, no doubt they were employed by Hezekiah; and which is recorded to his honour, that he was so careful to preserve such useful sayings, and annex them to those that were already collected and put together as above. This verse, it is likely, was written by one of the copiers. The proverbs begin in Pro 25:2.
Open source ↗1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, Which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah have collected. Hezekiah, in his concern for the preservation of the national literature, is the Jewish Pisistratos, and the "men of Hezekiah" are like the collectors of the poems of Homer, who were employed by Pisistratos for that purpose. גּם־אלּה is the subject, and in Cod. 1294, and in the editions of Bomberg 1515, Hartmann 1595, Nissel, Jablonsky, Michaelis, has Dech. This title is like that of the second supplement, Pro 24:23. The form of the name חזקיּה, abbreviated from יחזקיּהוּ (חזקיּהוּ), is not favourable to the derivation of the title from the collectors themselves. The lxx translates: Αὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σαλωμῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι (cf. Jam 3:17), ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου, for which Aquila has ἃς μετῆραν ἄνδρες ἐζεκίου, Jerome, transtulerunt. העתיק signifies, like (Arab.) nsaḥ, נסח, to snatch away, to take away, to transfer from another place; in later Heb.: to transcribe from one book into another, to translate from one language into another: to take from another place and place together; the Whence? remains undetermined: according to the anachronistic rendering of the Midrash מגניזתם, i.e., from the Apocrypha; according to Hitzig, from the mouths of the people; more correctly Euchel and others: from their scattered condition, partly oral, partly written. Vid., regarding העתיק, Zunz, in Deutsch-Morgenl. Zeitsch. xxv. 147f., and regarding the whole title, vol. i. pp. 5, 6; regarding the forms of proverbs in this second collection, vol. i. p. 17; regarding their relation to the first, and their end and aim, vol. i. pp. 25, 26. The first Collection of Proverbs is a Book for Youth, and this second a Book for the People.
Open source ↗This verse is the title of this latter collection of Solomon's proverbs, for he sought out and set in order many proverbs, that by them he might be still teaching the people knowledge, Ecc 12:9. Observe, 1. The proverbs were Solomon's, who was divinely inspired to deliver, for the use of the church, these wise and weighty sentences; we have had many, but still there are more. Yet herein Christ is greater than Solomon, for if we had all upon record that Christ said, and did, that was instructive, the world could not contain the books that would be written, Joh 21:25. 2. The publishers were Hezekiah's servants, who, it is likely, herein acted as his servants, being appointed by him to do this good service to the church, among other good offices that he did in the law and in the commandments, Ch2 31:21. Whether he employed the prophets in this work, as Isaiah, Hosea, or Micah, who lived in his time, or some that were trained up in the schools of the prophets, or some of the priests and Levites, to whom we find him giving a charge concerning divine things (Ch2 29:4), or (as the Jews think) his princes and ministers of state, who were more properly called his servants, is not certain; if the work was done by Eliakim, and Joah, and Shebna, it was no diminution to their character. They copied out these proverbs from the records of Solomon's reign, and published them as an appendix to the former edition of this book. It may be a piece of very good service to the church to publish other man's works that have lain hidden in obscurity, perhaps a great while. Some think they culled these out of the 3000 proverbs which Solomon spoke (Kg1 4:32), leaving out those that were physical, and that pertained to natural philosophy, and preserving such only as were divine and moral; and in th…
Open source ↗25:1–29:27 During the reign of King Hezekiah (728–686 BC), wise men (advisers) collected these proverbs of Solomon and added them to the collection.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage,… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) חִזְקִיָּה (Chizqîyâh, H2396) — Chizkijah, a king of Judah, also the name of two other Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… עָתַק (ʻâthaq, H6275) — to remove (intransitive or transitive) figuratively, to grow old; specifically, to…
Open source ↗כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חָקַר (châqar, H2713) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
Open source ↗שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רוּם (rûwm, H7312) — (literally) elevation or (figuratively) elation אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֹמֶק (ʻômeq, H6011) — depth לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חֵקֶר (chêqer, H2714) — examination, enumeration, deliberation
Open source ↗הָגָה (hâgâh, H1898) — to remove סִיג (çîyg, H5509) — scoria כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗הָגָה (hâgâh, H1898) — to remove רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
Open source ↗הָדַר (hâdar, H1921) — to swell up (literally or figuratively, active or passive); by implication, to favor or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… שָׁפֵל (shâphêl, H8213) — to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,…
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מַהֵר (mahêr, H4118) — properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in ahurry רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) כָּלַם (kâlam, H3637) — properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
Open source ↗רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… רִיב (rîyb, H7379) — a contest (personal or legal) רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… סוֹד (çôwd, H5475) — a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy,… אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… חָסַד (châçad, H2616) — properly, perhaps to bow (the neck only in courtesy to an equal), i.e. to be kind; also… דִּבָּה (dibbâh, H1681) — slander שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אוֹפָן (ʼôwphân, H212) — a wheel אֹפֶן (ʼôphen, H655) — a turn, i.e. a season דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… תַּפּוּחַ (tappûwach, H8598) — an apple (from its fragrance), i.e. the fruit or the tree (probably includ. others of the… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky מַשְׂכִּית (maskîyth, H4906) — a figure (carved on stone, the wall, or any object); figuratively, imagination כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗נֶזֶם (nezem, H5141) — a nose-ring זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky חֲלִי (chălîy, H2481) — a trinket (as polished) כֶּתֶם (kethem, H3800) — properly, something carved out, i.e. ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Open source ↗צִנָּה (tsinnâh, H6793) — a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as… שֶׁלֶג (sheleg, H7950) — snow (probably from its whiteness) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָצִיר (qâtsîyr, H7105) — severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also… אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… צִיר (tsîyr, H6735) — a hinge (as pressed in turning); also a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure); also a… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) מַתָּת (mattâth, H4991) — a present נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… גֶּשֶׁם (geshem, H1653) — a shower
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,
Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz