United Commentaries

Pr.22.17-24.22

This section is ascribed to a group called the wise. Who they were is unknown. There is a reference to thirty sayings (22:20), and the wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections that are similar to an Egyptian composition called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters.

Pr.24.1-2

Saying 19: See 1:8-19.

Pr.24.3-4

Saying 20: See 14:11.

Pr.24.5-6

Saying 21: See 21:22.

Pr.24.7

Saying 22: Rulers should be wise (see 8:5-6).

Pr.24.8-9

Saying 23: Fools are alienated from the community because of their evil actions.

Pr.24.10

Saying 24: A wise person has self-control and strength under pressure (e.g., Dan 1:8-16; 3:1-18).

Pr.24.11-12

Saying 25: The wise do what they can to prevent injustice and suffering (e.g., Job 29:12-17).

Pr.24.13-14

Saying 26: Both honey and wisdom are sweet. Wisdom improves the soul, enhancing opportunities for the future.

Pr.24.15-16

Saying 27: Those who are godly will not allow a setback to keep them down.

Seven times is symbolic for “many times.”

Pr.24.17-18

Saying 28: This saying leads to Jesus’ call to love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48).

Pr.24.19-20

Saying 29: Don’t envy the apparent prosperity of the wicked (see 24:1-2), because their success is fleeting.

snuffed out: Cp. 13:9; 20:20.

Pr.24.21-22

Saying 30: The king is associated with the Lord, reflecting his power and sovereignty on the earth (see 1 Sam 12; Ps 2).

Pr.24.23-34

This addendum to the thirty sayings of the wise (22:17–24:22) includes five further sayings.

Pr.24.23-25

Saying 1: Truthfulness in rendering judgment is a hallmark of wisdom (see 6:19; 12:17; 19:28; 24:28-29; 25:18).

Pr.24.26

Saying 2: A true friend does not cover up problems but honestly points out areas for improvement. A wise person welcomes the correction of a friend.

Pr.24.27

Saying 3: A wise person establishes a source of income before spending money on himself.

Pr.24.28-29

Saying 4: The truth should not be bent, not even for revenge (see 6:19; 12:17; 14:25; 19:28; 24:23-24; 25:18).

Pr.24.30-34

Saying 5: Laziness and love for sleep lead to poverty (see 10:4-5, 26; 12:11; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13).

Pr.24.33-34

This proverb repeats 6:10-11.