Proverbs 17 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
17:1
1. sacrifices--or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pr 7:14; Le 2:3; 7:31). with--literally, "of." strife--its product, or attendant.
17:2
2. (Compare Pr 14:35). causeth shame--(Pr 10:5). shall ... inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).
17:3
3. God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; 66:10) the heart.
17:4
4. Wicked doers and speakers alike delight in calumny.
17:5
5. (Compare Pr 14:31). glad at calamities--rejoicing in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their hearts.
17:6
6. Prolonged posterity is a blessing, its cutting off a curse (Pr 13:22; Psa 109:13-15), hence children may glory in virtuous ancestry.
17:7
7. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).
17:8
8. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).
17:9
9. seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.
17:10
10. Reproof more affects the wise than severe scourging, fools.
17:11
11. Such meet just retribution (1Ki 2:25). a cruel messenger--one to inflict it.
17:12
12. They are less rational in anger than wild beasts.
17:13
13. (Compare Psa 7:4; 35:12). evil--injury to another (Pr 13:21).
17:14
14. letteth ... water--as a breach in a dam. before ... meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.
17:15
15. abomination ... Lord--as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32; 12:2).
17:16
16. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).
17:17
17. To the second of these parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a brother's love is specially seen in adversity.
17:18
18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15). in the presence, c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.
17:19
19. strife--contention is, and leads to, sin. he that exalteth his gate--gratifies a vain love of costly building. seeketh--or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pr 8:36).
17:20
20. The second clause advances on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and fault-finding incur evil.
17:21
21. (Compare Pr 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.
17:22
22. (Compare Pr 14:30; 15:13). The effect of the mind on the body is well known. medicine--or, "body," which better corresponds with "bone." drieth--as if the marrow were exhausted.
17:23
23. a gift ... bosom--Money and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the bosom. to pervert--that is, by bribery.
17:24
24. Wisdom ... him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.
17:25
25. a grief--or cross, vexation (compare Pr 17:21; 10:1).
17:26
26. Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.
17:27–28
27-28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.