Proverbs 23:16

23:12-16 Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his expectation! 17,18. The believer's expectation shall not be disappointed; the end of his trials, and of the sinner's prosperity, is at hand.

Yea, my reins shall rejoice,.... Which is only another phrase expressive of the same thing, and confirming the greatness of joy on the above occasion; not only his heart rejoiced, which was affectionately concerned for his son, near which he lay, the desires of which were frequently drawn out for his good, but his reins also; the seat of the afflictions rejoiced at it; showing how vehement, sincere, and hearty the joy was; when thy lips speak right things; as they will, when the heart is wise; things agreeably to right reason, to the Scriptures of truth, the oracles of God; to the law and to the testimony; to the Gospel of Christ, and the doctrines of it; and such things as are savoury, pleasant, and profitable, and minister grace to the hearers. The Targum is, "when my lips speak right things;'' see Proverbs 8:6.

Verse 16. - My reins shall rejoice. The "reins" ( kelayoth ), kidneys, are regarded as the seat of feeling and sensation ( Job 19:27 ). or of the inner nature generally ( Psalm 16:7 ; Revelation 2:22 ). I shall rejoice in my very soul when thy lips speak right things; i.e. when thy heart is so replete with wisdom, thy mind so well instructed as to utter naught but what is true and sensible ( Proverbs 8:6 ). The composition of these two verses is noteworthy, 15 a being parallel to 16 b , and. 15 b to 16 a . Septuagint, "And thy lips shall linger in words ( ἐνδιατρίψει λόγοις ) with my lips, if they be right," which seems to mean, "If thy lips utter what is right, they will gather wisdom from my words and impart it to others." Proverbs 23:16

The following proverb passes from the educator to the pupil: 15 My son, if thine heart becometh wise, My heart also in return will rejoice; 16 And my reins will exult If thy lips speak right things. Wisdom is inborn in no one. A true Arab. proverb says, "The wise knows how the fool feels, for he himself was also once a fool;" (Note: The second part of the saying is, "But a fool knows not how a wise man feels, for he has never been a wise man." I heard this many years ago, from the mouth of the American missionary Schaufler, in Constantinople.) and folly is bound up in the heart of a child, according to Proverbs 22:15, which must be driven out by severe discipline. 15b, as many others, cf. Proverbs 22:19, shows that these "words of the wise" are penetrated by the subjectivity of an author; the author means: if thy heart becomes wise, so will mine in return, i.e., corresponding to it (cf. גּם, Genesis 20:6), rejoice. The thought of the heart in Proverbs 23:15 repeats itself in Proverbs 23:16, with reference to the utterance of the mouth. Regarding מישׁרים, vid., Proverbs 1:5. Regarding the "reins," כּליות (perhaps from כּלה, to languish, Job 19:21), with which the tender and inmost affections are connected, vid., Psychologie, p. 268f.

## Thy sweet words; thy pleasant discourse, wherewith thou didst adorn his table, and design both to delight and profit him, is lost, and of no effect to him, and thou wilt be ready to repent of it. ## Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool; cast not away good counsels upon obstinate and incorrigible sinners. We have the same advice given Mat_7:6. ## He will despise the wisdom of thy words; he will scornfully reject thy wise and good admonitions. Proverbs 23:10 Either to take away their goods; or rather, to possess their lands, as this phrase is used, 2Sa_5:6. ## Proverbs 23:11 Their redeemer, Heb. their near kinsman , to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights, of which see Lev_25:25 Num_35:12. Thus God is pleased to call himself, to show how much he concerns himself for the relief of oppressed and helpless persons. ## Proverbs 23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction; content not thyself with outward hearing or reading of it, but affectionately receive it into thine heart, and lay it up there as choice treasure. Proverbs 23:13 It is a likely mean to prevent their corruption, and the destruction which commonly follows it, as the next verse explains this. Proverbs 23:14 No text from Poole on this verse. Proverbs 23:15 In the good success of my counsels, and in thy piety and happiness, which is as truly desirable and pleasant to me as my own. Proverbs 23:16 I shall rejoice not only in show and profession, but inwardly, and with all my soul.

continual dropping —a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience. 14. A contrast of men's gifts and God's, who, though author of both blessings, confers the latter by His more special providence. and —or, "but," implying that the evils of Proverbs 19:13 are only avoided by His care. 15. a deep sleep —a state of utter indifference. idle soul —or, "person" (compare Proverbs 10:4; 12:24). 16. (Compare Proverbs 10:17; 13:13). despiseth … ways —opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Proverbs 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct. 17. (Compare Proverbs 14:21; Psalms 37:26). hath pity —shown by acts (compare Margin ). 18. (Compare Proverbs 13:24; 23:13). let not … spare —literally, "do not lift up thy soul" (Psalms 24:4; 25:1), that is, do not desire to his death; a caution to passionate parents against angry chastisement. 19. Repeated efforts of kindness are lost on ill-natured persons. 20. (Compare Proverbs 13:18-20). latter end —(Proverbs 5:11). In youth prepare for age. 21. (Compare Proverbs 16:1, 9; Psalms 33:10, 11). The failure of man's devices is implied. 22. desire —that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition (Proverbs 11:23); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not. 23. The fear … life —(Compare Proverbs 3:2). abide —or, "remain contented" (1 Timothy 4:8). not visited with evil —(Proverbs 10:3; Psalms 37:25), as a judgment, in which sense visit is often used (Psalms 89:32; Jeremiah 6:15). 24.

excellent things —or probably of former times. counsels and knowledge —both advice and instruction. 21. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others. 22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Proverbs 17:5; Psalms 12:5). in the gate —place of public gathering (Job 5:4; Psalms 69:12). 24, 25. (Compare Proverbs 2:12-15; 4:14). 25. a snare … soul —The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company. 26, 27. (Compare Proverbs 6:1; 17:18). 27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor. 28. (Compare Proverbs 23:10). Do not entrench on others (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17). 29. Success rewards diligence (Proverbs 10:4; 21:5). ## CHAPTER 23 Proverbs 23:1-35. 1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony. 2. put a knife —an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite. 3. are deceitful meat —though well tasted, injurious. 4, 5. (Compare 1 Timothy 6:9, 10). thine own wisdom —which regards riches intrinsically as a blessing. 5. Wilt … eyes —As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away. 6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted. evil eye —or purpose (Proverbs 22:9; Deuteronomy 15:9; Matthew 6:23). ## 8. The morsel … words —that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed. 9. (Compare Proverbs 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). 10, 11.