Proverbs 15 Study Notes

A meal is a daily allowance, like that given a traveler (Jr 40:5). Vegetables were the normal, everyday food. A fattened ox was a great luxury (Lk 15:23). While normally an ox would be worked during its life then slaughtered when it was old and tough, a fattened ox was kept in a stall and carefully fed, then slaughtered in its prime. The result was moist and tender meat, but the profit from the labor of the animal was forfeited.

15:18 The Hebrew word translated strife here is also used for a lawsuit or court case (18:17; 22:23; 23:11; 25:9; see Ex 23:2; Hs 4:1), but it often has a nonlegal sense of a dispute or quarrel (Pr 17:1,14; 18:6; 20:3; 26:17,21; 30:33). On hot-tempered, see note at 14:17; on conflict, see “trouble” in note at 6:14; on slow to anger, see note at 14:29.

15:19 A hedge made from thorns was a painful obstacle (Is 5:5; cp. Mc 7:4). A highway was an efficient road built up and cleared of obstacles.

15:20 The fool (Hb kesiyl) despises his mother because she offers wisdom (1:8; 31:1) and requires obedience (30:17)—both of which the fool hates (1:7).

15:21 Foolishness implies moral waywardness. The person who lacks sense (see note at 6:30-33) actually finds pleasure in sinning (10:23; Heb 11:25). The person with understanding knows that even if he does not receive a reward in this life, there is a great reward in heaven (Lk 16:25; Heb 12:2).

15:22 On plans, see “schemes” in note at 16:9. Counsel is private, personal advice from intimate friends. In 3:32 God is a “friend” (same Hb word) “to the upright.” Independent, selfish fools do not seek out advice (13:10; 18:1) and fail. Advisers (see “counselors” in 11:14) are generally advantageous, but those who speak contrary to the Lord’s will bring failure (19:21; cp. Dt 13:1-3; 1Kg 12:13-15; 22:1-37).

15:23 This Hebrew word for answer means the most appropriate and effective thing to say in the given circumstance (v. 1; 16:1). The failure of Job’s friends to answer his speeches angered Elihu (Jb 32:3,5).

15:24 On prudent, see note at 1:3. Solomon understood God’s revelation about eternal life. The discerning person is on the path of life because he trusts in the Lord (3:22; 16:20) and thereby avoids going to Sheol.

15:25 The widow represents those who were vulnerable to wicked, greedy people. God himself protects the widow’s territory (lit her “boundary”) from those who might move the boundary markers (22:28; 23:10).

15:26 On detests (v. 8; 21:27; 28:9), see note at 3:32. Pure is “ceremonially clean,” acceptable to offer to God.

15:27 On profits dishonestly, see note at 1:19. There are two Hebrew words for a bribe (21:14 has both words). This one, mattan/mattanah, often is simply a “gift” (18:16; 19:6), but in the context of dishonest profit, it clearly represents a bribe. The other word, shochad (17:8,23), is never a gift without strings attached. God hates bribes because they subvert justice (17:23; cp. 18:5; Dt 16:19; Ps 15:5; Ec 7:7; Is 5:23). Therefore, the person who hates bribes agrees with God, and the one who totally agrees with God—that is, who has the mind of Christ—will live (Rm 7:16; 1Co 2:16; 1Tm 6:3).

15:28 The righteous person thinks, or ponders or meditates, before answering (cp. 18:13). The wicked, like the fool (15:2), blurts out, or pours out (18:4), what is in his heart. For the wicked it is evil things; for the fool it is foolishness (cp. Is 32:6). What comes out of a person’s mouth reflects what is inside him (Mt 12:34; 15:18-19; Jms 3:2-12).

15:29 To say that the Lord is far from somebody is not a limit on his omnipresence, but refers to losing out on his communion, favor, and help (Gn 3:8,23; Ps 22:12,19; 35:22; 38:21; 71:12). Sometimes God moved away from Israel (Ezk 8:6), but sometimes Israel moved away from God (Jr 2:5). In both cases the cause was sin. It is impossible for God and sin to dwell together (Ps 5:4).

15:30 The phrase bright eyes implies spiritual vitality (29:13; cp. Ezr 9:8; Ps 13:3; 19:8; 38:10). Bones represent the inner core, the seat of health (3:8; cp. Jb 20:11; 21:24). To strengthen the bones is literally to “make them fat,” to satiate them. Thus good news refreshes and strengthens a person (25:25).

15:31-32 To be at home is literally “to spend the night.” To ignore or neglect the Lord’s counsel and discipline is not just harmful (13:18), it is ultimately fatal (1:25,32). To do so is to despise or reject one’s very self. To acquire good sense is literally to “buy a heart” (19:8; cp. “lacks sense” at 6:32).

15:33 The phrase what wisdom teaches probably means “the instruction that results in wisdom.” Humility and the fear of the Lord are prerequisites for gaining wisdom and honor (see notes at 1:7; 3:16; 14:6; 18:12; cp. 9:10).