Proverbs 28:4-5
New English Translation
4 Those who forsake the law[a] praise the wicked,[b]
but those who keep the law contend[c] with them.
5 Evil people[d] do not understand justice,[e]
but those who seek the Lord[f] understand it all.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:4 sn Some commentators do not think that the word refers to the Mosaic law, but to “instruction” or “teaching” in general (cf. NCV “who disobey what they have been taught”). However, the expression “keep the law” in the second line indicates that it is binding, which would not be true of teaching in general (J. Bright, “The Apodictic Prohibition: Some Observations,” JBL 92 [1973]: 185-204). Moreover, Proverbs 28:9 and 29:18 refer to the law, and this chapter has a stress on piety.
- Proverbs 28:4 sn The proverb gives the outcome and the evidence of those who forsake the law—they “praise the wicked.” This may mean (1) calling the wicked good or (2) justifying what the wicked do, for such people are no longer sensitive to evil.
- Proverbs 28:4 tn The verb is the Hitpael imperfect of גָּרָה (garah), which means “to stir up strife” but in this stem means “to engage in strife” (cf. NIV “resist them”). Tg. Prov 28:4 adds an explanatory expansion, “so as to induce them to repent.”
- Proverbs 28:5 tn Heb “men of evil”; the context does not limit this to males only, however.
- Proverbs 28:5 tn The term translated “justice” is מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat); it refers to the legal rights of people, decisions that are equitable in the community. W. G. Plaut observes that there are always those who think that “justice” is that which benefits them, otherwise it is not justice (Proverbs, 282).
- Proverbs 28:5 sn The contrast (and the difference) is between the wicked and those who seek the Lord. Originally the idea of seeking the Lord meant to obtain an oracle (2 Sam 21:1), but then it came to mean devotion to God—seeking to learn and do his will. Only people who are interested in doing the Lord’s will can fully understand justice. Without that standard, legal activity can become self-serving.
Proverbs 28:4-5
Expanded Bible
4 Those who ·disobey what they have been taught [forsake/abandon instruction/law] praise the wicked,
but those who ·obey what they have been taught [guard instruction/law] ·are against [battle] them.
5 Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who ·follow [seek] the Lord understand ·it completely [or everything].
Proverbs 28:9
New English Translation
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:9 sn The expression “turn away the ear from hearing” uses a metonymy to mean that this individual will not listen—it indicates a deliberate refusal to follow the instruction of the law.
- Proverbs 28:9 sn It is hard to imagine how someone who willfully refuses to obey the law of God would pray according to the will of God. Such a person is more apt to pray for some physical thing or make demands on God. (Of course a prayer of repentance would be an exception and would not be an abomination to the Lord.)
- Proverbs 28:9 sn C. H. Toy says, “If a man, on his part, is deaf to instruction, then God, on his part, is deaf to prayer” (Proverbs [ICC], 499). And W. McKane observes that one who fails to attend to God’s law is a wicked person, even if he is a man of prayer (Proverbs [OTL], 623).
Proverbs 28:9
Expanded Bible
9 If you ·refuse to obey [turn your ear away from] ·what you have been taught [L hearing instruction],
your prayers will ·not be heard [be detested/an abomination].
Proverbs 28:14
New English Translation
14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious,[a]
but whoever hardens his heart[b] will fall into evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:14 tn Most commentators (and some English versions, e.g., NIV) assume that the participle מְפַחֵד (mefakhed, “fears”) means “fears the Lord,” even though “the Lord” is not present in the text. Such an assumption would be more convincing if the word יִרְאַת (yirʾat) had been used. It is possible that the verse refers to fearing sin or its consequences. In other words, the one who is always apprehensive about the nature and consequences of sin will avoid sin and find God’s blessing. Of course the assumption that the phrase means “fear the Lord” could be correct as well. There would be little difference in the outcome; in either case sin would be avoided.
- Proverbs 28:14 sn The one who “hardens his heart” in this context is the person who refuses to fear sin and its consequences. The image of the “hard heart” is one of a stubborn will, unyielding and unbending (cf. NCV, TEV, NLT). This individual will fall into sin.
Proverbs 28:14
Expanded Bible
14 Those who ·are always respectful [or always fear the Lord; L always fear] will be ·happy [blessed],
but those ·who are stubborn [L whose hearts are hard] will get into trouble.
Proverbs 28:23
New English Translation
23 The one who reproves[a] another[b] will in the end[c] find more favor
than the one who flatters[d] with the tongue.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:23 tn Or “rebukes” (NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
- Proverbs 28:23 tn Heb “a man,” but the context does not indicate this should be limited only to males.
- Proverbs 28:23 tn There is a problem with אַחֲרַי (ʾakharay), which in the MT reads “after me.” This could be taken to mean “after my instructions,” but that is forced. C. H. Toy suggests simply changing it to “after” or “afterward,” i.e., “in the end” (Proverbs [ICC], 504), a solution most English versions adopt. G. R. Driver suggested an Akkadian cognate aḫurrû, “common man,” reading “as a rebuker an ordinary man” (“Hebrew Notes,” ZAW 52 [1934]: 147). The Akkadian term can refer to a coarse, uneducated person (CAD A1: 216), if so here, then “one who rebukes a lout/oaf.”
- Proverbs 28:23 tn The construction uses the Hiphil participle מַחֲלִיק (makhaliq, “makes smooth”) followed by the adverbial accusative of means, the metonymy “tongue”—he makes what he says smooth. This will be pleasing for the moment, but it will offer no constructive help like the rebuke would.
Proverbs 28:23
Expanded Bible
23 Those who correct others will later ·be liked [find favor]
more than those who ·give false praise [L have a flattering tongue].
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