Proverbs 24 Study Notes

24:1-2 This warning is similar to that in 23:17-18. Involvement in violence and trouble will lead to a person’s downfall.

24:3-4 Just as God established the world through wisdom . . . understanding, and knowledge (3:19-20), so a house is established by the same. Treasure represents both material and spiritual blessings. Sinners also hope to fill their houses, but their methods are self-destructive (1:13,18).

24:5-6 Verse 5 is difficult to translate; the second line might read, “a man of knowledge increases strength.” In any case, wisdom and sound guidance are the keys to success in any situation.

24:7 Important and knowledgeable people oversaw legal and commercial business at the city gate (1:21; 22:22; 31:23; Dt 21:19; Jos 20:4; Ru 4:1; 2Sm 15:2).

24:8-9 What a person is called is his reputation (16:21; 21:24), which is difficult to overcome. On schemer, see “discretion” in note at 1:4. A scheme is a shameful, depraved act (Lv 18:17). On mocker, see note at 1:22; on detestable, see note at 3:32.

24:10-12 To do nothing is literally to go slack (see “lazy” in note at 18:9). A difficult time is literally a “time of restriction” (Hb tsarah). To be limited is literally to be “restricted” (Hb tsar). So to avoid losing strength, act. Death could be physical or spiritual death or any other misfortune, whether they are being taken off by others or they are stumbling toward disaster on their own (Ps 82:4; Is 58:6-7). Those who are not on the way of wisdom are on a path to disaster and need to be saved (Pr 10:17; 12:28; 14:12; 15:24). To deny knowledge and responsibility is futile because God weighs hearts (21:12; Ps 44:21). Inactivity is complicity (Ezk 3:17-18). God can withdraw his protection to repay a person for his sin.

24:13-14 Wisdom, like honey, is beneficial as well as pleasant (16:24; but see 25:16,27). On future, see note at 23:17-18.

24:15-16 The malicious actions of a wicked one are futile. Seven is the number of completion (6:31; 9:1; 26:16,25; Mt 18:21). If the righteous person falls until he is utterly down, maybe even dead, he will still get up. Into ruin could also be translated “by means of evil.” The righteous and the wicked get their just rewards—sometimes in this life but certainly in eternity.

24:17-18 It is literally “evil in the eyes” of God when someone gloats over another person’s misfortune (Jb 31:29; Ps 35:11-14; Lk 6:27,35; Rm 12:20-21).

24:19-20 To worry is to be agitated with anger (Ps 37:1,7-8). While it is right to be angry because evildoers are sinning, it is wrong to be “agitated” because they are prospering (Ps 37). They do not have a future, but the righteous do (23:17-18). On lamp, see note at 20:20.

24:21-22 The king is God’s agent for social justice (Rm 13:1-4; 1Pt 2:13-14). God and the king are the two who bring so much distress on evildoers that no one knows (cp. Ec 3:21; 6:12; 8:1) its potential magnitude. On suddenly, see note at 6:15.

24:23-34 These are miscellaneous sayings collected by Solomon (10:1) beyond the “thirty” (22:20).

24:23-25 To show partiality is literally “to take notice of a face” (28:21; Dt 16:19)—to treat people differently based on their status or position. A judge should treat “small and great alike” (Dt 1:17). Citizens hate an unjust judge (17:15). That the phrase blessing will come is in the passive voice implies that the blessing comes from God.

24:26 A kiss symbolizes loyal love and solidarity in a family (Gn 33:4; 45:15) or among very close friends (1Sm 20:41). “Honesty” also demonstrates love.

24:27 A young man should first establish his means of income. Besides the structure, to build a house could include marrying, having children, and hiring servants (v. 3; 14:1).

24:28-29 To testify . . . without cause (see note at 3:29-30) might be to volunteer to give testimony without being called and without being an eyewitness. A person should not seek vengeance (20:22).

24:30-34 Whatever a slacker (see note at 6:6) who lacks sense (see note at 6:30-33) builds or inherits comes to ruin. Elsewhere thistles (Is 34:13; Hs 9:6) and weeds (Zph 2:9) are symbolic of God’s judgment. A wise person learns from observation. Verses 33-34 echo Pr 6:10-11; it fits both situations.