Mishle 11:15

15 He that is guaranty for a zar shall suffer for it, and he that hateth pledging collateral is secure.

Mishle 11:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:15

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]
Or in "breaking shall be broken" ^F17, ruined and undone; he engaging or becoming a bondsman for one whose circumstances he knew not; and these being bad bring a load upon him, such an heavy debt as crushes him to pieces. Mr. Henry observes that our Lord Jesus Christ became a surety for us when we were strangers, and he smarted for it, he was bruised and wounded for our sins; but then he knew our circumstances, and what the consequence would be, and became a surety on purpose to pay the whole debt and set us free; which he was capable of doing: without being broken or becoming a bankrupt himself; for he was not broken, nor did he fail, ( Isaiah 42:4 ) . Jarchi's note is,

``the wicked shall be broken, to whose heart idolatry is sweet;''

and he that hateth suretyship is sure;
or those "that strike" ^F18, that is, with the hand, used in suretyship; see ( Proverbs 6:1 ) ; such an one is safe from coming into trouble by such means. The Targum is,

``and hates those that place their hope in God.''

---

FOOTNOTES:

F17 (ewry er) "frangendo frangetur", Michaelis; so Pagninus and others.
F18 (Myeqwt) "complodentes", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius; "defigentes", Mercerus.

Mishle 11:15 In-Context

13 A bringer of rekhil (gossip, rekhilut) revealeth sod (secrets, confidences), but he that is of a ne’eman ruach concealeth the matter.

14 Where no strategic policy is, the nation falls, but in the multitude of yoetz (counsellors, advisors) there is teshu’ah (victory, safety).

15 He that is guaranty for a zar shall suffer for it, and he that hateth pledging collateral is secure.

16 An eshet chen retaineth kavod (honor, respect), but ruthless men retain osher.

17 The ish chesed (merciful man) doeth good to his own nefesh, but he that is cruel harmeth his own self.