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. X.

1 † 1.1 DEad flies a 1.2 cause the ointment of the apotheca∣ry to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and ho∣nour b 1.3.

2 A wise man's heart c 1.4 is at his right hand d 1.5; but a fools heart is at his left e 1.6.

3 Yea also when he that is a fool walketh by the way f 1.7, † 1.8 his wisdom •…•…aileth him g 1.9, and he saith to every one that he is a fool h 1.10.

4 If the spirit i 1.11 of a ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place i 1.12, for * 1.13 yielding k 1.14 pacifieth l 1.15 great of∣fences m 1.16.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun n 1.17, as an errour which proceedeth † 1.18 from the ruler o 1.19.

6 Folly is set † 1.20 in great dignity p 1.21, and the rich q 1.22 sit in low place r 1.23.

7 I have seen servants s 1.24 * 1.25 upon horses t 1.26, and princes walking as servants upon Earth u 1.27.

8 * 1.28 He that diggeth a pit x 1.29 shall fall into it y 1.30; and whoso breaketh an hedg z 1.31 a serpent a 1.32 shall bite him.

9 Whoso removeth stones b 1.33 shall be hurt there∣with c 1.34: and he that cleaveth wood d 1.35 shall be endanger∣ed thereby e 1.36.

10 If the Iron e 1.37 be blunt, and he do not whet the edg, then must he put to more strength f 1.38; but Wisdom is profitable to direct g 1.39.

11 Surely the serpent will bite * 1.40 without inchant∣ment h 1.41, and † 1.42 a babler i 1.43 is no better.

12 * 1.44 The words of a wise mans mouth are † 1.45 gra∣cious k 1.46: but the lips * 1.47 of a fool will swallow up him∣self l 1.48.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of † 1.49 his talk is mischievous mad∣ness m 1.50.

14 * 1.51 A fool also † 1.52 is full of words n 1.53: a man cannot tell what shall be; and * 1.54 what shall be after him, who can tell him o 1.55?

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them p 1.56, because he knoweth not how to go to the city q 1.57.

16 * 1.58 Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child r 1.59: and thy princes eat s 1.60 in the morning t 1.61.

17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles u 1.62, and * 1.63 thy princes eat in due season x 1.64, for strength y 1.65 and not for drunkenness z 1.66.

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth, and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through a 1.67.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and * 1.68 Wine † 1.69 ma∣keth merry b 1.70: but money answereth all things c 1.71.

20 * 1.72 Curse not the king d 1.73, no not in thy ‖ 1.74 thought e 1.75, and curse not the rich f 1.76 in thy bed-chamber g 1.77: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter h 1.78.

Notes

• † 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Flies 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.2

  Falling into it and abiding and being putrefied in it, especial∣ly in those Countries, where there were more filthy and venemous Flies, and where the Oyntments were more pure, and where the Air was more hot than in these parts.
• b 1.3

  Which comes to pass, partly because all the actions, and consequently the follies of such men are most diligently observed and sconest discerned and tossed about in the mouth's of men, whereas fools and all their carriages are generally disregarded; and partly because of that envious and malicious disposition of mens minds which makes them quick-•…•…igh∣ted to discover, and glad to hear and forward to declare the faults of such as by their greater eminency did out-shine and obscure them.
• c 1.4

  i. e. His understanding or wisdom.
• d 1.5

  Is always present with him and ready to direct him in all his actions. He manageth all his affairs prudently and piously. He mentions the right hand be∣cause that is the chief and most common instrument of actions, which by most men are done with more strength and expedition and orderliness and comeliness by their right hand than by their left.
• e 1.6

  His understanding and knowledge serves him onely for idle speculation and vain Ostentation, but is not at all useful or ef∣fectual to govern his affections and actions. He acts prepo•…•…e∣rously and foolishly, like one without Heart, as it follows.
• f 1.7

  Not onely in great undertakings, but in his daily conversation with men, in his looks and gestures and common talk
• † 1.8

  Heb. his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• g 1.9

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wants an Heart, as i•…•… he had said, did I say, his Heart is at his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand I must recal it, for in truth he hath no Heart in him.
• h 1.10

  He publickly discovers his folly to all that meet him or conver•…•…e with him.
• i 1.11

  The passion or wrath, as is manifest from the following words, which is oft called Spirit, as Iudg. 8. 3. 2▪ •…•…ron. 21. 16. P•…•…ov. 25. 28. Eccles. 7. 9.
• i 1.12

  To wit, in anger or discontent. Withdraw not thy self rashly and hastily from his presence and service, ac∣cording to the advice, Ch. 8. 3. Continue in a diligent and faithful discharge of thy duty, as becomes a Subject; do not return anger for anger, but mooestly and humbly submit thy self to him.
• * 1.13

  Prov. 25. 15.
• k 1.14

  Heb. healing, a gentle and submissive carriage, which is of an healing nature, whereas pride and passion do exasperate and wid•…•…n the breach already made.
• l 1.15

  Heb, maketh them to rest or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prevent∣eth or removeth them.
• m 1.16

  Heb. great sins, either 1. such sins as the offended Ruler might commit in the prosecution of his wrath against thee. Or rather 2. such as possibly thou hast commit∣ted against him for which he is incensed against thee; or the greatest offences or injuries that one Man commits against ano∣ther, and much more those slight miscarriages of thine towards the Ruler. Let not therefore a false opinion concerning his unrecon∣cilableness to thee, make thee desperate and draw thee into Rebel∣lion.
• n 1.17

  I have observed another great vanity and misdemeanour amongst men.
• † 1.18

  Heb. from befor•…•….
• o 1.19

  So the sense is, like those errours which Rulers commonly commit. Or rather, which is indeed an errour proceeding from the Ruler. For the following miscarriage must needs come from those who have power of conferring Honour and power, &c. So the Hebrew, Cap•…•…, is not a Note of likeness, but of reality, as it is, Iudg. 13. 23. Neh. 7. 2. Hose. 4. 4. & 5. 10 and oft elsewhere.
• † 1.20

  Heb. in grea•…•… hei•…•…ts.
• p 1.21

  Foolish and unworthy Persons are frequently advanced by the favour or humour of Princes into places of Highest Trust and Dig∣nity, which is a great reproach and mischief to the Prince, and a sore calamity to all his People.
• q 1.22

  Wise and worthy men, as is evi∣dent, because these are opposed to fools in the former clause: such as are rich in endowments of mind. The ground of the expression may be this, that rich men are capable of all the advantages of men or Books for the attainment of Wisdom, and therefore are supposed to be wise in some measure.
• r 1.23

  Neglected and de•…•…pised, or remo∣ved from those High places to which their merits had raised them.
• s 1.24

  Men of a servil condition and disposition, who are altoge∣ther unfit for places of Dignity.
• * 1.25

  Pro 19. 10. & 30. 22.
• t 1.26

  Riding upon Horses, as a Badge of their Dignity, as Es•…•…. 6. 8, 9. Ier. 17. 25. Ezek. 23. 23.
• u 1.27

  Which was the case of his own Father, 2. Sam. 15, 30.
• * 1.28

  Ps. 7. 15. Prov. 26. 27.
• x 1.29

  With this design that another may unawares fall into it.
• y 1.30

  Shall through God's just Judgment be destroyed by his own wicked devices.
• z 1.31

  Whereby another mans Fields, or Vineyards, or Orchards, are distinguished and fenced, that he may either enter up∣on them and take away their fruits, or by that means enlarge his own adjoining Fields. Possibly he may have a particular respect unto Magistrates or Rulers, whom God hath hedged or fenced in, both with his own Institution of Magistracy, and with his Laws, strictly requiring Obedience from their Subjects; and so he notes the danger of rising and rebelling against them.
• a 1.32

  Which oft lurks in hedges, and bites those who come within its reach.
• b 1.33

  Either 1. The stones which belong to others, and limit or distinguish their Grounds, of which see Deut. 27. 17. Or 2. Great stones too heavy for them. Which rashly attempt things too high and hard for them. Which seems better to agree with the follow∣ing clause than the former Interpretation doth.
• c 1.34

  May easily re∣ceive hurt by the stones falling unexpectedly and violently upon him.
• d 1.35

  With an Iron instrument, as the manner is, he being un∣skilful in that art. Possibly he designs a man who causeth discord and mischief among Friends, or in a Family, or Kingdom
• e 1.36

  May peradventure cut himself.
• e 1.37

  To wit, the Ax whereby he cut the wood in the former verse, which by the danger there mentioned may be supposed to be sharp, but now saith he, if it happen to be blunt.
• f 1.38

  Which is necessary to make it cut.
• g 1.39

  Heb. and wisdom, &c. And as Wisdom in∣structs a man in the smallest matters, as in this very matter of cut∣ting of Wood, where it teacheth him in this case to use his utmost strength, so it is useful for a mans direction in all his great and weighty affairs. And so he insensibly slides into the commendati∣on of Wisdom, and the censure of Folly, which is the principal de∣sign and business of this Chapter.
• * 1.40

  Jer. 8. 17.
• h 1.41

  If not seasonably prevented by the Art and care of the Char∣mer; which practice he doth not justifie, but only mention by way of resemblance. See on Psal. 58. 5.
• † 1.42

  Heb. the ma∣ster of the tongue.
• i 1.43

  Heb. a master of the tongue: which may be understood either 1. Of the Detractor or Slanderer, who like a Serpent bites secretly, who may be so called, because he takes liberty to use his Tongue as he lists, without any regard either to the offence of God, or to the injury of others, like them who said, Our Lips are our own; who is Lord over us? But I do not see either why this Phrase should be limited to the De∣tractor, which equally belongs to all abusers of the Tongue in any other way; or how this particular Vice of Detraction comes to be inserted here among things of a quite differing nature. Or 2. Of an Eloquent Person, who may well be called a Master of the Tongue, or of Speech, nothing being more usual in the Hebrew, than to call a Man Master of that which he excels in, or hath a full and free power to use. And this clause is and may be rendred thus, And there is no excellency or profit to the Master of the Tongue. i. e. The most Eloquent person, who doth not understand, and in due time use the Charmers Art, cannot by all his eloquence afterward hinder the biting of the Serpent, or the mischievous effects of it: And so this agrees with the principal scope of the Chapter, which is to shew the necessity and usefulness of Wisdom, and the mischief of Folly.
• * 1.44

  Pro. 10. 32. & 12. 13.
• † 1.45

  Heb. grace.
• k 1.46

  Heb. Grace, as profitable, so also acceptable to others, pro∣curing him favour with those who hear him.
• * 1.47

  Pro. 10. 14. & 18. 7.
• l 1.48

  His discourses are ungracious and offensive to others, and therefore pernicious to himself.
• † 1.49

  Heb. his mouth.
• m 1.50

  All his talk from the beginning to the end is foolish and mischievous, and the more he talks, the more doth his folly ap∣pear, he proceeds from evil to worse, and adds wilfulness to his weakness, and never desists till he hath done mischief to himself or to others.
• * 1.51

  Pro. 15. 2.
• † 1.52

  Heb. multi∣plieth words.
• n 1.53

  Either 1. Talkative. Or 2. Forward to promise and brag what he will do, which is the common practice of foolish men: he is a man of words, as we use to say.
• * 1.54

  Ch. 3. 22. & 6. 12. & 8. 7.
• o 1.55

  These words contain either 1. A Mimetical Representation of his folly in using vain Repetiti∣ons of the same words, such as these, a man cannot tell, &c. and who can tell, &c. Or 2. A confutation of his folly in promising or boasting of things which are wholly out of his power: For what shall be, no man can either himself foreknow, or learn it from others.
• p 1.56

  Fools discover their folly, as by their words, of which he hath hitherto spoken, so also by their actions, and by their endless and fruitless endeavours after things which are too high and hard for them.
• q 1.57

  For he is ignorant of those things which are most ea∣sie and most necessary for him, as of the way to the great City whither he is going, or obliged by his business to go, which being a great and beaten road, is known even to Children and natural fools.
• * 1.58

  Isa. 3. 3, 4, 5, 12. & 5. 11.
• r 1.59

  Either 1. In Age. Or 2. (Which is more agreeable to the following clause) In Childish Qualities, as Ignorance, Inexperi∣ence, Injudiciousness, Rashness, Frowardness, Fickleness, or Wil∣fulness, and the like: in which sense this word is used, 2 Chr. 13. 7. compared with 1 Kin. 14. 21. Isa. 3. 4, 12. 1 Cor. 14. 20. Eph. 4. 14.
• s 1.60

  Give up themselves to eating and drinking excessively and intemperately, as it is explained in the next verse.
• t 1.61

  The fittest time for Gods service, and for the dispatch of weighty af∣fairs, and for sitting in judgment. Psal. 101. 8. Ier. 21. 12. Which circumstance is added as a plain evidence of men that wholly de∣vote themselves to vanity and Luxury; which must needs occasion gross neglect of the great concerns of the Kingdom, the oppression of the people to support such extravagancies, and a woful and ge∣neral corruption of the people by their example, and otherwise; which makes him say, Wo to that people.
• u 1.62

  Not so much by Birth, as even the worst of Kings commonly are, and have been, as by their noble and worthy dispositions, and endowments, and carriages; for such an one is opposed to the Child in the former verse. Sons of nobles are put for noble persons, as the sons of men for men, and the sons of physicians for physicians.
• * 1.63

  Prov. 31. 4.
• x 1.64

  So as may further and not hinder their main business.
• y 1.65

  To refresh and strengthen their Natures, that they may be fit for action and business.
• z 1.66

  Not only nor chiefly to please their pala•…•…es, and in∣dulge themselves in sensuality.
• a 1.67

  That House which is neglected by its owner, and not repaired, must needs come to ruine. Whereby he intimates, that the sloth and carelesness of Princes in the management of publick affairs, which is an usual attendant upon that Luxury, of which he hath now discoursed, is most destructive both to themselves, and to their people.
• * 1.68

  Ps. 104. 1•…•….
• † 1.69

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 g•…•…ad the li•…•…e.
• b 1.70

  The design and effect of feasting and drinking Wine, is, that Men may exhilarate their Minds with the society of their Friends, and with the use of the Creatures.
• c 1.71

  It procures not only Meat and Drink for Feasting, but for all other things; as the Heavens are said to answer the Earth, when they give it those showers which it desires and needs to make it fruitful, Hos. 2. 21. And this clause seems to be added as an aggravation of the sin and folly of Luxury, because Princes do thereby wast that Money and Treasure which is so highly necessary for the support and preservation of themselves, and of their Kingdoms, and are forced to squeeze Money out of their People by oppressive and dishonourable and dangerous pra∣ctices, that they may have more to spend in riotous courses.
• * 1.72

  Ex. 22. 28.
• d 1.73

  Having spoken of the miscarriages of Kings, he now gives a caution to their Subjects, that they should not thence take occasion to speak irreverently or contemptuously of them, or wish or design any evil against their Persons or Government: For though vices may be condemned, wheresoever they are, yet both Reverence and Obedience are due to Magistrates, as they are Gods Vicege∣rents and Ordinances, notwithstanding their vices, as is manifest from Rom. 13. 1, &c. 1 Pet. 2. 13, &c.
• ‖ 1.74

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• e 1.75

  In the most secret man∣ner, by giving way to such thoughts or affections; for these will very probably break forth into such words and practices.
• f 1.76

  The Princes or Governours under the King, who are commonly rich: or any other rich men, who can oppress or punish thee by their Wealth, as well as Kings can do it by their Power.
• g 1.77

  Where thy Wife or Servant may hear thee, and afterwards through folly or passion discover it to thy ruine.
• h 1.78

  The King will hear of it by un∣known and unsuspected hands, as if a Bird had chanced to be at the window when thou didst speak the words, and did hear them, and carry the report of it unto the King. It is a proverbial expres∣sion, as when we say, Hedges have Ears, and the Walls will speak. Hence Kings are said to have long Ears.