Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:32–end
We have here the application of Wisdom's discourse; the design and tendency of it is to bring us all into an entire subjection to the laws of religion, to make us wise and good, not to fill our heads with speculations, or our tongues with disputes, but to rectify what is amiss in our hearts and lives. In order to this, here is,
I. An exhortation to hear and obey the voice of Wisdom, to attend and comply with the good instructions that the word of God gives us, and in them to discern the voice of Christ, as the sheep know the shepherd's voice.
1. We must be diligent hearers of the word; for how can we believe in him of whom we have not heart? "Hearken unto me, O you children!" Pro 8:32. "Read…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 8:36
sinneth . . . me--or better, "missing me," as opposed to "finding" [Pro 8:35].
love death--act as if they did (compare Pro 17:9).
Next: Proverbs Chapter 9
John Gill on Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth against me,.... Or misses the mark, as the word (b) signifies; and which is observed by Aben Ezra; see Judges 20:16. Christ is the mark and scope of the counsels of God; of the covenant of grace; of the Scriptures; of the Gospel, the truths and promises of it; of the graces of the Spirit, and of all spiritual duties and services; and to whom we are to look for heaven and eternal happiness, Philippians 3:14; and such miss the mark who look for salvation elsewhere, either by the light of nature; or by the law of Moses; or by any moral performances, or any religious exercises; or by a mere profession of religion, even the best. The word is frequently used for sinning; which…
Read the whole note in the consoleKeil & Delitzsch on Proverbs 8:33–end
The summons 32a, and its reason 32b, are repeated in these verses which follow:
33 "Hear instruction, and be wise,
And withdraw not.
34 Blessed is the man who hears me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors!
35 For whosoever findeth me has found life,
And has obtained favour from Jahve;
36 And whosoever misseth me doeth wrong to himself;
All they who hate me love death."
The imper. וחכמוּ, 33a (et sapite), is to be judged after Pro 4:4, וחיה, cf. the Chethı̂b, Pro 13:20; one sees this from the words ואל־תּפרעוּ which follow, to which, after Pro 15:32, as at Pro 4:13, to אל־תּרף, מוּסר is to be placed as object: and throw not to the winds (ne missam faciatis; vid., rega…
