Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. XXIX.

1 † 1.1 HE that being often reproved, hardneth his neck a 1.2, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy b 1.3.

2 * 1.4 VVhen the righteous are ‖ 1.5 in authority c 1.6, the people rejoyce d 1.7: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn e 1.8.

3 * 1.9 VVhoso loveth wisdom f 1.10, rejoyceth his father: * 1.11 but he that keepeth company with harlots g 1.12, spend∣eth his substance h 1.13.

4 The king by judgment i 1.14 stablisheth the land: but † 1.15 he that receiveth gifts k 1.16, overthroweth it.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbour k 1.17, spread∣eth a net for his feet l 1.18.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare m 1.19: but the righteous doth sing and rejoyce n 1.20.

7 * 1.21 The righteous o 1.22 considereth the cause of the poor p 1.23: but the wicked regardeth not to know it q 1.24.

8 Scornful men ‖ 1.25 bring a city into a snare r 1.26: but wise men s 1.27 turn away wrath t 1.28.

9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man u 1.29, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

10 † 1.30 The blood-thirsty hate the upright y 1.31: but the just seek his soul z 1.32.

11 * 1.33 A fool uttereth † 1.34 all his mind a 1.35: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards b 1.36.

12 If a ruler hearken to lies c 1.37, all his servants are wicked d 1.38.

13 The poor and ‖ 1.39 the deceitful e 1.40 man meet together f 1.41: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes g 1.42.

14 * 1.43 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor h 1.44, his throne shall be established for ever.

15 * 1.45 The rod and reproof i 1.46 give wisdom: but a * 1.47 child left to himself k 1.48 bringeth his mother l 1.49 to shame.

16 When the wicked are ‖ 1.50 multiplied m 1.51, trans∣gression increaseth n 1.52: but * 1.53 the righteous shall see their fall o 1.54.

17 * 1.55 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest p 1.56; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision q 1.57, the people ‖ 1.58 perish r 1.59: but he that keepeth the law s 1.60, happy is he.

19 A Servant t 1.61 will not be corrected by words u 1.62: for though he understand x 1.63 he will not answer y 1.64.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty ‖ 1.65 in his words z 1.66? there is more hope of a fool a 1.67, than of him b 1.68.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant c 1.69 from a child, shall have him become his son d 1.70 at the length.

22 * 1.71 An angry man stirreth up strife: and a furious man aboundeth in transgression e 1.72.

23 * 1.73 A mans pride shall bring him low f 1.74: but ho∣nour shall uphold the humble in spirit g 1.75.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief h 1.76, hateth his own soul i 1.77: he heareth cursing k 1.78, and bewrayeth it not l 1.79.

25 The fear of man m 1.80 bringeth a snare n 1.81: but who∣so putteth his trust in the LORD o 1.82, † 1.83 shall be safe.

26 * 1.84 Many seek † 1.85 the rulers favour p 1.86, but every mans judgment q 1.87 cometh from the LORD r 1.88.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just s 1.89: and he that is upright in the way, is abomination to the wicked t 1.90

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Notes

• † 1.1

  Heb. a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of reproof•…•….
• a 1.2

  Is incorrigible and obstinately persists in those sins for which he is reproved
• b 1.3

  Utterly and irrecoverably.
• * 1.4

  Ch. 11. 10. & 28. 12, 28. Eccles. 10. 5.
• ‖ 1.5

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• c 1.6

  Which interpretation is confirmed from the opposite clause. The Hebrew word signifies to increase either in number, or in dig∣nity and power
• d 1.7

  For the blessed effects of their good government.
• e 1.8

  Both for the oppressions and mischiefs which they feel, and for the dreadful Judgments of God which they justly fear.
• * 1.9

  Ch. 10. 1. & 15. 20. & 27. 11.
• f 1.10

  And therefore hateth and escheweth all folly and wickedness.
• * 1.11

  Ch. 5. 9. & 28. 7. Luk. 15. 13.
• g 1.12

  Whereby he plainly discovers himself to want Wisdom; of which see Prov. 7. 7, &c.
• h 1.13

  Whereby he not onely ruineth him∣self; but also grieveth his Father, as is implied from the opposite clause.
• i 1.14

  By the free and impartial exercise of Justice.
• † 1.15

  Heb. a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of oblations.
• k 1.16

  Heb. a Man (for he would not vouchsafe to call him a King, as being unworthy of that Name and Office) of Oblations, or Gifts, i. e. whose delight and common practice it is to take Bribes, and sell Justice.
• k 1.17

  That praiseth or applaudeth another in a sinful state or course.
• l 1.18

  Kills him under a pretence of kindness, is an occasion of his sin, and consequently of destruction, which possibly he may de∣sign to accomplish by that means.
• m 1.19

  His sin will bring him to dreadful horrors and certain ruine
• n 1.20

  Because he hath sweet peace in his own Conscience and assurance of present safety and eternal happiness.
• * 1.21

  Job 29. 16▪
• o 1.22

  Whether Magistrate or any private Person concerned to know it, and capable of helping him in it.
• p 1.23

  His poverty neither hin∣ders him from taking pains to examine it, nor from a righteous de∣termination of it.
• q 1.24

  Will not put himself to the trouble of sear∣ching it out, either because it yields him no profit, or because he resolves to give away his right.
• ‖ 1.25

  Or, set a City on fire.
• r 1.26

  Expose it to God's wrath and to destruction by their self∣conceit and wilfulness, by their wicked counsels and courses whereby they seduce and infect the generality of the People, by their contempt of God, of his just Laws and righteous Judgments, and of the opinions and advices of wise men.
• s 1.27

  Who do not scorn, but hearken to the counsels of God and of prudent men.
• t 1.28

  The wrath of God or of men who were enraged against it.
• u 1.29

  Either judicially or otherwise debating any matter with him, endeavouring to convince him of any errour. x Whether he, the wise Man▪ rageth (or is angry) or laugheth, (i. e. Whether he deal sharply and severely with him, rebuking him for his folly, or mildly and pleasantly, smiling at it, there is no rest, no end or fruit of the debate, the Fool will not be satisfied nor convinced. Or, as it is in the Hebrew, He (to wit, the Fool, last named, to whom the following carriages may seem more fitly to agree) both rageth and laugheth (He will not yield nor be convinced, but persists in his fol∣ly, which he discovers somtimes by his furious and unbridled pas∣sions, and somtimes by foolish laughter and scorning) and there is no rest, he will never be quieted.
• † 1.30

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• y 1.31

  And consequently seek their ruine, as is implied from the following clause.
• z 1.32

  Either 1. to require his Soul or Life at the hands of those who have taken it away. Or 2. to preserve it from those who attempt to take it away, as this Phrase is taken, Psal. 142. 4. though commonly it signifie to seek to destroy it.
• * 1.33

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 14. 33.
• † 1.34

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…is 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.35

  All at once, unnecessarily, and unseasonably, without reservati∣on or caution.
• b 1.36

  Till he have fit occasion to express it.
• c 1.37

  Delight in flatteries or calumnies, or any lying words or de∣ceitful and wicked practices.
• d 1.38

  Partly because he chooseth only such for his service, and partly because they are either corrupted by his example, or engaged by their place and interest to please him, and comply with his base Lusts.
• ‖ 1.39

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• e 1.40

  Heb. the Man of deceits, or, of Usuries, i. e. who hath enriched himself by such practices.
• f 1.41

  Converse together, and one need∣eth the other, as Ch. 22. 2.
• g 1.42

  Either their bodily Eyes with the light of the Sun, which promiscuously shines upon both; or the Eyes of their Minds with the light of Reason and Grace, which he indifferently gives to them; and therefore the one should not envy nor despise the other, but be ready to do good one to another, as God doth good to both.
• * 1.43

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…0. 28.
• h 1.44

  And the rich too: but he names the poor, because these are most oppressed and injured by others, and least regarded by Princes, and yet committed to their more special care by the King of Kings.
• * 1.45

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 17.
• i 1.46

  Correction and Instruction going together.
• * 1.47

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1•…•…. 21, 25.
• k 1.48

  Suffered to fol∣low his own will or lusts without restraint and chastening.
• l 1.49

  And further too; but he names onely the Mother, either because her indulgence oft spoils the Child; or because Children commonly stand in least awe of their Mothers, and abuse the weakness of their Sex, and tenderness of their Natures.
• ‖ 1.50

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, i•…•… Au∣•…•….
• m 1.51

  Or rather, are advanced, because this is opposed to their fal∣ling in the next clause; and so this Hebrew word is taken above, v. 2.
• n 1.52

  Sin and Sinners abound and grow impudent by impuni∣ty and the example and encouragement of such Rulers.
• * 1.53

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 37. 36. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…8. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…1. 8.
• o 1.54

  The destruction of such Transgressors, in due time.
• * 1.55

  Ch. 13. 24. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…2. 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 23. 13, 14.
• p 1.56

  Satisfaction to thy Mind, and comfort in his amendment.
• q 1.57

  i. e. No Prophecy, for the Prophets were anciently called Seers, 1 Sam. 9. 9. i. e. no publick Preaching of God's Law or Word (as appears by the opposite clause) which is called Prophecy, Rom. 12. 6. 1 Cor. 14. 1, &c. Where the People are destitute of the means of instruction.
• ‖ 1.58

  Or, is made 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• r 1.59

  Because they want the onely means of Salvation. Or, is made naked, stripped of their best ornaments, God's favour and protection, as this word is taken, Exod. 32. 25.
• s 1.60

  This he saith rather than, he that hath vision, which the Laws of Opposition might seem to require, to teach us, that although the want of God's Word be sufficient for mens destruction, yet the having and hearing or reading of it is not sufficient for their Salva∣tion, except they also keep or obey it.
• t 1.61

  Who is so not onely in condition, but also in the temper of his Mind▪ disingenuous, perverse and stubborn.
• u 1.62

  By meer words without blows. Compare Prov. 19. 29.
• x 1.63

  Though he know thy mind, and words, and his own duty.
• y 1.64

  Either by words, expres∣sing his readiness; or by deeds, speedily and chearfully perform∣ing thy commands, but will neglect his duty pretending that he did not hear or understand thee.
• ‖ 1.65

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 matters.
• z 1.66

  Or rather, in his Business, who is rash and heady in the ma∣nagement of his affairs.
• a 1.67

  Who is sensible of his folly, and willing to hearken to the advice of others, as this word is used▪ Ch. 26. 12. though commonly it be meant of a wilful and wicked fool.
• b 1.68

  Be∣cause he is self confident, and neither considers things seriously within himself, nor seeks counsel from the wise.
• c 1.69

  Allowing him too much freedom, and familiarity, and de∣licious fare.
• d 1.70

  Will find him at last grow insolent and presump∣tuous and forgetful of his servile condition.
• * 1.71

  Ch. 15. 18. & 26. 21.
• e 1.72

  Is by his passion easily transported into grievous and manifold sins, against God, and others, and himself, as swearing, and cursing, and violence, yea somtimes even to murder.
• * 1.73

  Job 22. 29. Ch. 15. 33. & 18. 12. Matt. 23. 12. Luk. 14. 11. & 18. 14. Jam. 4. 6, 10. 1 Pet. 5. 5.
• f 1.74

  Because both God and Man conspire against him and abhor him.
• g 1.75

  Or, as others render it, without any difference in the sense, the humble in Spirit shall hold their honour, shall be honoured by God and men. Thus honour, like a shadow, flees from them that pursue it, and follows them who flee from it.
• h 1.76

  By receiving a share of the stolen Goods upon condition of his concealment of the theft.
• i 1.77

  He carrieth himself towards it as if he hated it, he woundeth and destroyeth it.
• k 1.78

  He heareth the voice of swearing, as is said, Levit. 5. 1. the Oath given to him by a Judge adjuring him and other suspected Persons to give infor∣mation concerning it.
• l 1.79

  Which he is bound to do both by vertue of his Oath and for the publick good, which ought to be preferred before all private contracts or friendships.
• m 1.80

  Inordinate fear of harm or mischief from men, which is fitly opposed to trust in God, because it comes from a distrust of God's Promise and Providence.
• n 1.81

  Is an occasion of many sins, and of great danger, both of injuries from men, and of sore punishments from God.
• o 1.82

  Keeping God's way, and securely relying upon God to protect him from the designs and rage of wicked men.
• † 1.83

  Heb, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 set on high.
• * 1.84

  Ch. 19. 6.
• † 1.85

  Heb. the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Ruler.
• p 1.86

  Men study to please and ingage their Rulers by their obliging carriage and humble Petitions and all other means, supposing that to be the only way to procure either right or favour from them, as they need or desire it.
• q 1.87

  The decision of his cause and the success of all his endeavours.
• r 1.88

  Dependeth wholly upon God who ruleth and inclineth their Minds and Hearts as it pleaseth him, Prov. 21. 1.
• s 1.89

  Because such men, as such, are hated by God, and haters of and Enemies unto God and all goodness, and publick Plagues to the Church and State in which they live, and therefore he who loves these must needs hate them, as true Friends hate those who are Enemies to their Friends.
• t 1.90

  Of which see above on v. 10.