Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Proverbs-Chapter 11

Prov 11.1-31 tells us about the blessings of the righteous.

v 1…A false balance (cheating in business or anything) is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight (bringing balance into any situation is one of the goals of the Torah-Prov 20.10; Lev 19.35-36).

v 2…When pride comes (to a person), then comes dishonor (will make a fool of themselves); but with the humble (the opposite of pride) is wisdom (knowing what to do when you have an understanding of the facts; willing to grow wise).

v 3…The integrity of the upright will guide them (they are trustworthy and this will lead them on the right path), but the falseness (the Hebrew word “v’selef” for falseness is only used here and in Prov 15.4. It relates to the tongue and speech, so it may allude to false doctrine) of the treacherous will destroy them (lead to destruction and the Lake of Fire).

v 4…The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way (direct his way to follow the Torah), but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness (his own lust will trap him).

v 6…The righteousness of the upright will deliver them (on Yom Ha Din or the Day of Judgment), but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

v 7…When a wicked man dies his expectation (hope) will perish (of a longer life, more riches, etc), and the hope of strong men perishes.

v 8…The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked comes in his place (trouble comes to the wicked instead).

v 9…With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor (corrupts him through lies, flattery and false doctrine), but through knowledge (da’at or the knowledge of God in the Scriptures) the righteous will be delivered (the opposite of what happens to those who do not have the knowledge of God in the Torah-Hos 4.6).

v 10…When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices (because of all the benefits the city enjoys because they are prosperous), and when the wicked perish there will be glad shouting (because their tyranny has been taken away, like when Babylon the Great is destroyed in Rev 18.20).

v 11…By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted (hard work, prayers and good deeds), but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down (ruined as a result of their slanders and blasphemies against the righteous and the Lord).

v 12…He who despises his neighbor lacks sense (in his heart and mind), but a man of understanding (comprehension of the things of God) keeps silent (guards against speaking evil of him; is wise and prudent).

v 13…He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets (is a gossip and used that to gain power over others), but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter (protects the privacy of others).

v 14…When there is no guidance (wise counsel) the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is safety (because no man has all the answers).

v 15…He who is a surety for a stranger will surely suffer for it (promises to pay the debt of another), but he who hates going surety is safe (pays his own debts).

v 16…A gracious woman attains honor (because of her pleasant manner), and violent men attains riches (they don’t care about honor, just wealth).

v 17…The merciful man does himself good (because Yehovah shows him mercy), but the cruel man does himself harm (measure for measure-Matt 7.2).

v 18…The wicked earns deceptive wages (they are dishonest), but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward (honesty is rewarded by God).

v 19…He who is steadfast in righteousness (as defined by the Torah) will attain life (by faith), and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death (the second death).

v 20…The perverse in heart are an abomination to Yehovah (they follow a crooked path), but the blameless (upright) in their walk are his delight (by faith, following the Torah).

v 21…Assuredly (literally “hand to hand”) the evil man will not go unpunished (not strong enough even when united), but the descendants (seed) of the righteous will be delivered (by God’s blessing).

v 22…As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout (an absurd thing to do), so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion (taste, virtue, honor).

v 23…The desire of the righteous is only good (their character desires good), but the expectation of the wicked is wrath (that is what is coming to them).

v 24…There is one who scatters (dispenses his wealth here and there) yet increases all the more (by God blessing them) and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but results only in want (if we are stingy or have an “evil eye” God gives less).

v 25…The generous man (soul of blessing) will be prosperous (make fat), and he who waters (shares) will himself be watered (by God, the fountain of abundance will flow to him).

v 26…He who withholds grain (waiting for a better price to sell at market), the people will curse him (because he is manipulating the market for a higher price), but a blessing will be on the head of him who sells it (at a price all can afford).

v 27…He who diligently seeks good seeks favor (rises early to do it will obtain favor and good from Yehovah and men), but he who searches (seeks) after evil (mishchief), it (evil) will come to him (on his own head).

v 28…He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green (has life) leaf (because they trust God not wealth).

v 29…He who troubles his own house (by bringing trouble on them) shall inherit the wind (have future trouble and storms), and the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted (end up working for the wise of heart).

v 30…The fruit of the righteous (his deeds, life, works) is a tree of life (a blessing) and he who is wise wins (takes, gains) souls (like a person who catches birds, he makes it his work and business, uses his skills).

v 31…If the righteous (tzadik) will be rewarded in the earth (for his sins, chastened), how much more the wicked (rasha) and the sinner (chata…this verse gives us the three categories of people in the earth. 1 Pet 4.18 quotes this verse in the NASB as, “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner”).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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