Proverbs 29
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 29:1-27) hardeneth . . . neck--obstinately refuses counsel (Kg2 17:14; Neh 9:16). destroyed--literally, "shivered" or "utterly broken to pieces." without remedy--literally, "without healing" or repairing.
Open source ↗He that being often reported hardeneth his neck,.... Or "a man of reproofs" (d); either a man that takes upon him to be a censurer and reprover of others, and is often at that work, and yet does those things himself which he censures and reproves in others; and therefore must have an impudent face and a hard heart a seared conscience and a stiff neck; his neck must be an iron sinew and his brow brass: or rather a man that is often reproved by others by parents by ministers of the Gospel, by the Lord himself, by the admonitions of his word and Spirit and by the correcting dispensations of his providence; and yet despises and rejects all counsel and admonition, instruction and reproofs of every kind, and hardens himself against them and shows no manner of regard unto them. The metaphor is taken from oxen, which kick and toss about and will not suffer the yoke to be put upon their necks. Such an one shall suddenly be destroyed; or "broken" (e); as a potter's vessel is broken to pieces with an iron rod, and can never he put together again; so such persons shall be punished with everlasting destruction, which shall come upon them suddenly, when they are crying Peace to themselves notwithstanding the reproofs of God and men; and that without remedy; or, "and there is no healing" (f); no cure of their disease, which is obstinate; no pardon of their sins; no recovery of them out of their miserable and undone state and condition; they are irretrievably lost; there is no help for them, having despised advice and instruction; see Pro 5:12. (d) "vir increpationum", Vatablus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "vir correptionum", Piscator, Michaelis; "vir redargutionum", Schultens. (e) "conteretur", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, &c. "confringetur", Schultens; so Baynus, Junius & T…
Open source ↗A general ethical proverb here follows: A man often corrected who hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly go to ruin without remedy. Line second = Pro 6:15. The connection אישׁ תּוכחות must make the nearest impression on a reader of the Book of Proverbs that they mean a censurer (reprehender), but which is set aside by what follows, for the genit. after אישׁ is, Pro 16:29; Pro 26:21; Pro 29:10; Pro 13:20, the designation of that which proceeds from the subject treated. And since תּוכחות, Psa 37:15; Job 23:4, denotes counter evidence, and generally rejoinders, thus in the first line a reasoner is designated who lets nothing be said to him, and nothing be shown to him, but contradicts all and every one. Thus e.g., Fleischer: vir qui correptus contradicit et cervicem obdurat. But this interpolated correptus gives involuntary testimony of this, that the nearest lying impression of the 'אישׁ תו suffers a change by מקשׁה ערף: if we read הקשׁה (לב) ערף with 'תו, the latter then designates the correptio, over against which is placed obstinate boldness (Syr., Targ., Jerome, Luther), and 'תו shows itself thus to be gen. objecti, and we have to compare the gen. connection of אישׁ, as at Pro 18:23; Pro 21:17, or rather at Kg1 20:42 and Jer 15:10. But it is unnecessary, with Hitzig, to limit 'תו to divine infliction of punishment, and after Hos 5:9; Isa 37:3, to read תוכחות [punishment], which occurs, Psa 149:7, in the sense of punishment inflicted by man. (Note: Vid., Zunz, "Regarding the Idea and the Use of Tokhecha," in Steinschneider's Heb. Bibliographia, entitled המחכיר, 1871, p. 70f.) Besides, we must think first not of actual punishment, but of chastening, reproving words; and the man to whom are spoken the reproving words is one whose conduct merits more and more severe censure,…
Open source ↗Here, 1. The obstinacy of many wicked people in a wicked way is to be greatly lamented. They are often reproved by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers, by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had their sins set in order before them and fair warning given them of the consequences of them, but all in vain; they harden their necks. Perhaps they fling away, and will not so much as give the reproof a patient hearing; or, if they do, yet they go on in the sins for which they are reproved; they will not bow their necks to the yoke, but are children of Belial; they refuse reproof (Pro 10:17), despise it (Pro 5:12), hate it, Pro 12:1. 2. The issue of this obstinacy is to be greatly dreaded: Those that go on in sin, in spite of admonition, shall be destroyed; those that will not be reformed must expect to be ruined; if the rods answer not the end, expect the axes. They shall be suddenly destroyed, in the midst of their security, and without remedy; they have sinned against the preventing remedy, and therefore let them not expect any recovering remedy. Hell is remediless destruction. They shall be destroyed, and no healing, so the word is. If God wounds, who can heal?
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) קָשָׁה (qâshâh, H7185) — properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications) עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal… פֶּתַע (pethaʻ, H6621) — a wink, i.e. moment(used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or… שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) מַרְפֵּא (marpêʼ, H4832) — properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure;…
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule אָנַח (ʼânach, H584) — to sigh
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… זָנָה (zânâh, H2181) — to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) הוֹן (hôwn, H1952) — wealth; by implication, enough
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute הָרַס (hâraç, H2040) — to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
Open source ↗גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
Open source ↗פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מוֹקֵשׁ (môwqêsh, H4170) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) שָׂמֵחַ (sâmêach, H8056) — blithe or gleeful
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… דִּין (dîyn, H1779) — judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge
Open source ↗לָצוֹן (lâtsôwn, H3944) — derision אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) פּוּחַ (pûwach, H6315) — to puff, i.e. blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to… קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… אֱוִיל (ʼĕvîyl, H191) — (figuratively) silly רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play נַחַת (Nachath, H5183) — a descent, i.e. imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food); restfulness
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) תָּם (tâm, H8535) — complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) שָׁבַח (shâbach, H7623) — properly, to address in aloud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
Open source ↗מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Open source ↗רוּשׁ (rûwsh, H7326) — to be destitute תָּכָךְ (tâkâk, H8501) — to dissever, i.e. crush אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… פָּגַשׁ (pâgash, H6298) — to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אוֹר (ʼôwr, H215) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin 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… עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.
If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.
to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”
And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen.
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.