Proverbs 16:29

16:27,28. Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character! 29,30. Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. 31. Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. 32. To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. 33. All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

A violent man enticeth his neighbour,.... As false teachers do, who are grievous wolves, not sparing the flock, and who by good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple; and as the man of sin, that has shed the blood of the saints, and been drunk with the same, deceives with his miracles and sorceries them that dwell on the earth; and leadeth him into the way that is not good; yea, into one that is very bad; so far are false teachers from leading their neighbours into the good old way of truth and righteousness, that they lead them into pernicious ways, by whom the way; of truth is spoken evil of; they lead them into a ditch, and into destruction hereafter; as does the man of sin and violence his followers.

Proverbs 16:29-30 . A violent man — Hebrew, a man of violence, that is, devoted to violent and injurious courses; enticeth his neighbour — Into a confederacy with him in his wicked practices; and leadeth him into the way that is not good — That is, into a way that is very sinful, as this phrase is frequently used. He shutteth his eyes — That his thoughts may be more free, and intent to contrive mischief; he meditates with the closest intention and application of mind, to devise wicked things, to contrive how he may do the greatest evil to his neighbour, may do it effectually, and yet without endangering himself; moving his lips, &c. — Speaking, or making signs to others to assist him in executing that wickedness which he hath contrived.

A violent man, Heb. a man of violence , i.e. devoted to violent and injurious courses, enticeth his neighbour into a confederacy with him in his wicked practices, as it follows. That is not good, i.e. that is very sinful, as this phrase is used, Proverbs 17:26 18:5 , and oft elsewhere.

The four verses speak of the same thing, and the well-known opprobrious name, the "man of Belial," stands at the head as stigmatizing the man who delights in causing the mischief of which they treat. Diggeth up evil - i. e., Digs an evil pit for others to fall into. Compare Psalm 7:15.

Verse 29. - A violent man enticeth his neighbour. The man of violence ( Proverbs 3:31 ) is one who wrongs others by injurious conduct, by fraud or oppression. How such a one "enticeth," talks a man over, we see in Proverbs 1:10 , etc. Septuagint, "The lawless man tempts ( ἀποπειρᾶται ) friends." And leadeth him into the way that is not good ( Psalm 36:4 ; Isaiah 65:2 ); a position where he will suffer some calamity, or be induced to commit some wickedness. Proverbs 16:29

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, And leadeth him in a way which is not good. Cf. Genesis 4:8. The subject is not moral enticement, but enticement to some place or situation which facilitates to the violent man the carrying out of his violent purpose (misdemeanour, robbery, extortion, murder). חמס (here with אישׁ at Proverbs 3:31) is the injustice of club-law, the conduct of him who puts his superior power in godless rudeness in the place of God, Habakkuk 1:11, cf. Job 12:6. "A way not good" (cf. Psalm 36:5) is the contradictory contrast of the good way: one altogether evil and destructive.

PROVERBS 16: 29 A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good. PROVERBS 16: 30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. Verse 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise, etc. - He meditates deeply upon ways and means to commit sin. He shuts his eyes that he may shut out all other ideas, that his whole soul may be in this. PROVERBS 16: 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. Verse 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory - The latter part of the verse is very well added, for many a sinner has a hoary head. PROVERBS 16: 32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. Verse 32 He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others. The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most nations have formed similar proverbs.