Proverbs 29:8

8 Scorners * 1set a city aflame, But 2wise men turn away anger.

Proverbs 29:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:8

Scornful men bring a city into a snare
Such as despise dominion, speak evil of dignities; proud and haughty men, that speak Loftily, and with a contempt of their superiors; or who make a mock at religion, and scoff at all that is good and serious; these bring the inhabitants of a city into a snare, to rebel against their governors, and so into mischief and ruin: or, they "burn a city", as the Septuagint and Syriac versions F15; they inflame it, or blow it up into a flame; raise a combustion in it, and fill it with strifes and contentions; and bring down the wrath of God upon it, like fire: or, they "blow upon a city" F16; raise storms and tempests in it; turn all things upside down, and throw it into the utmost confusion, or blow it up; but wise [men] turn away wrath;
the wrath of men, by their wise counsels and advice, and appease tumults and seditions, and restore things to a quiet and settled state; or the wrath of God, by interposing with their prayers between him and a sinful people, as Moses did, ( Psalms 106:23 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F15 "Inflammant urbem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F16 (hyrq wxypy) "suffiant, vel periflant civitatem", Gejerus; "diffiant civitatem", Gussetius, p. 667. "exsuffiant civitatem", Cocceius, Schultens.

Proverbs 29:8 In-Context

6 By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.
8 Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger.
9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.

Cross References 2

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