Proverbs 29:1

1 A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.

Proverbs 29:1 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:1

He that being often reported hardeneth [his] neck
Or "a man of reproofs" F4; either a man that takes upon him to be a censurer and reprover of others, and is often at that work, and yet does those things himself which he censures and reproves in others; and therefore must have an impudent face and a hard heart a seared conscience and a stiff neck; his neck must be an iron sinew and his brow brass: or rather a man that is often reproved by others by parents by ministers of the Gospel, by the Lord himself, by the admonitions of his word and Spirit and by the correcting dispensations of his providence; and yet despises and rejects all counsel and admonition, instruction and reproofs of every kind, and hardens himself against them and shows no manner of regard unto them. The metaphor is taken from oxen, which kick and toss about and will not suffer the yoke to be put upon their necks. Such an one shall suddenly be destroyed;
or "broken" F5; as a potter's vessel is broken to pieces with an iron rod, and can never he put together again; so such persons shall be punished with everlasting destruction, which shall come upon them suddenly, when they are crying Peace to themselves notwithstanding the reproofs of God and men; and that without remedy;
or, "and there [is] no healing" F6; no cure of their disease, which is obstinate; no pardon of their sins; no recovery of them out of their miserable and undone state and condition; they are irretrievably lost; there is no help for them, having despised advice and instruction; see ( Proverbs 5:12 Proverbs 5:13 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F4 (twxkwt vya) "vir increpationum", Vatablus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "vir correptionum", Piscator, Michaelis; "vir redargutionum", Schultens.
F5 (rbvy) "conteretur", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version "confringetur", Schultens; so Baynus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.
F6 (aprm Nyaw) "et non (erit) sanitas", Pagninus, Montanus, Baynus; "non sit curatio", Junius & Tremellius; "medicina", Piscator.

Proverbs 29:1 In-Context

1 A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.
2 When the righteous are praised, the people will rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.
3 When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.
4 A righteous king establishes a country: but a transgressor destroys .
5 He that prepares a net in the way of his own friend, entangles his own feet in it.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.