Proverbs 14 Study Notes

14:1 This wise woman is not wisdom personified, as in chaps. 8-9, but a flesh-and-blood woman. Solomon is urging his son (1:8) to look for a wise woman (31:10) to build up a house (the word can also mean “household”; see note at 3:33). Women in turn are encouraged to be the kind who build rather than tear down.

14:2 Lives is literally “walks.” The devious one pretends to go one way but goes another. Cp. 2:15.

14:3 In the first line the Hebrew is literally “In the mouth of a fool, a rod of pride.” In one sense, the rod in his mouth is his tongue, which makes proud speech. The rod is also a method of discipline (13:24), which the fool brings upon himself.

14:4 Empty could also be translated “clean” in the sense of “pure.” You do not have to worry about having feed on hand and cleaning up after oxen if you do not have any, but you also will not have an abundant harvest. Sometimes the benefits of an investment outweigh the costs and inconveniences involved.

14:5 A person can tell the quality of testimony by considering the character of the witness (cp. 6:19; 27:21).

14:6 Because of the pride of a mocker (21:24; see note at 1:22), God does not respond to his seeking (3:34); humility must precede wisdom (15:33). Mockers are skeptical and therefore do not take in knowledge. The perceptive person, while not naive, is still open to learning (vv. 15,18; 8:9).

14:7 The fool’s problem is not ignorance but a lack of reverence for the truth, preferring “comfortable illusions” (Derek Kidner).

14:8 This verse says literally the stupidity (Hb ’ewiyl, see notes at 1:7; 5:23) of fools (Hb kesiyl, see note at 1:22) is deceit. This could mean that they deceive themselves through their own stupidity, or that their stupidity is evident in the deceit they practice on others.

14:9 It is safe to conclude that the upright respect the need for reparation, and fools enjoy no goodwill.

14:10 No one can completely know what another person’s heart is feeling. While it is good to try to empathize (Rm 12:15), God alone knows our hearts fully (1Kg 8:39; Ps 44:21; Pr 15:11; Lk 9:47; 16:15; Ac 1:24; 15:8), and he sympathizes with our trials (Heb 4:15).

14:11 Flourish is literally “sprout”—it grows with new life.

14:12 On end, see note at 5:11.

14:13 Sad is literally “in pain.” Appearances may be deceptive; the true nature of things is shown by their end.

14:14 Although things do not always look fair in this life, in eternity everyone will get (lit “be satiated with”) what they deserve. A disloyal person is literally “one whose heart turned back.” He set out on the good way but then turned back (Heb 6:4-6).

14:15 While the mocker rejects everything (see note at v. 6), the inexperienced person accepts anything. He will inevitably be led astray. The sensible person is guided by godly wisdom to “watch” (lit “understand”) his own steps—to practice discretion.

14:16 The Hebrew word translated is cautious is literally “fears.” This could imply that a wise person fears the Lord and turns from evil (3:7; 16:6). In contrast, the fool’s (Hb kesiyl) hot temper gets him into trouble. He is careless or self-confident because he thinks he is secure (see note at 1:33), but he is wrong.

14:17 A quick-tempered person does bad things impetuously because he does not think first. A schemer (see “discretion” in note at 1:4) does bad things purposely because he is malicious (24:8). Neither thrives. The former squanders his life in foolishness (14:29), and the latter is hated and condemned (12:2).

14:18 Inexperienced people (see note at 1:4) who refuse to seek wisdom remain naive and gullible and thus inherit (see note at 3:35) foolishness.

14:19 It is implied that the wicked will bow down to the righteous. Judgment took place at the gates of cities, suggesting that the righteous person will have a prominent place in the city (31:23) and stand in judgment of the wicked. This does not always prove to be true in this life, but it will certainly be true in eternity.

14:20 This is not a promise or endorsement (see the next verse); it is an astute observation of human nature.

14:21 On happy, see note at 3:13-18.

14:22 On loyalty and faithfulness, see note at 3:3-4.

14:23 Endless talk is literally “words of lips”; it could also be translated “mere words” (2Kg 18:20). Hard work is labor that is physically or emotionally draining. Outside of the Lord’s blessing, it is vain (10:22; Ps 127:1-2). But diligent work (Pr 6:6-11) is better than recklessness (21:5), idleness (10:4), fraud (13:11), or get-rich-quick schemes (28:20).

14:24 On crown, see note at 4:9. Fools (Hb kesiyl) end up where they started.

14:25 On truthful and utters lies, see note at 12:17.

14:26 On strong confidence, see note at 21:22.

14:27 This proverb is the same as 13:14 except that the fear of the Lord is in place of “a wise person’s instruction.” The two ideas are nearly interchangeable because wisdom presupposes the fear of the Lord (9:10; 15:33).

14:28 When a ruler’s followers desert him, he can be devastated or terrified (1Sm 13:11-12; 30:6; 1Kg 12:1-20).

14:29 Patient is literally “slow at becoming angry.” Outside of Proverbs, the phrase is always used of God in the OT (Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Neh 9:17; Ps 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Is 48:9; Jr 15:15; Jl 2:13; Jnh 4:2; Nah 1:3).

14:30 It is not wrong to be passionate or zealous for a proper cause (Nm 25:11; 1Kg 19:10; Ps 69:9), but a person should not be envious or jealous of sinners (Pr 3:31; 23:17; 24:1,19) or of the assignment God has given to others (Ps 106:16; Ec 4:4; Jms 3:16).

14:31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker.

14:32 Even while he is dying or after his death (the Hebrew is ambiguous), the righteous person looks for and finds refuge in the Lord.

14:33 Wisdom among fools (Hb kesiyl) is merely known; among the discerning, she literally “comes to rest.”

14:34 While many proverbs promote personal ethics, this proverb takes ethics to a national level.

14:35 Servant of a king probably refers to a royal official, not a household slave.