Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs 29

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
                CHAPTER 29                  

When the wicked rule, the people mourn—The righteous considereth the cause of the poor—A fool uttereth all his mind—Where there is no vision, the people perish.

  1 HE, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without aremedy.
  2 When the arighteous are in bauthority, the people crejoice: but when the bwicked beareth erule, the people fmourn.
  3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots aspendeth his substance.
 1a Prov. 6:15
 2a TG Righteousness
   b TG Governments
   c Mosiah 5:4
   d TG Wickedness
   e TG Authority; TG Leadership;
     TG Tyranny
   f Mosiah 7:23 (22-23); D&C 98:9

  4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
  5 A man that aflattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
  6 In the atransgression of an evil man there is a bsnare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
 5a Alma. 46:5 (4-35)
 6a TG Transgression
   b Alma 12:6; D&C 10:26

  7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
  8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
  9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
  10 The abloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
  11 A fool auttereth all his bmind: but a cwise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
  12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
 10a Hel. 16:2; Ether 13:22 (13-15, 22)
 11a D&C 63:64
     b TG Mind
     c Prov. 17:28 (27-28)

  13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
  14 The aking that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
  15 The arod and breproof give wisdom: but a cchild left to himself bringeth his dmother to dshame.
 14a TG Kings, Earthly
 15a Prov. 13:24
     b TG Chastening; TG Reproof
     c TG Family, Children,
       Responsibilities toward
     d TG Marriage, Motherhood
     e TG Shame

  16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
  17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
  18 Where there is no avision, the people bperisha: but he that ckeepeth the dlaw, ehappy is he.
 18a Where there is no vision, the people perish Spiritual guidance is that which comes from heaven. Without man's communication with God, be it by prophet or by individual inspiration, man is lost in life and will but perish until and unless there is that communicate link betwix God and man. If man but realized his position before God and his total reliance upon the Almighty, certainly he would at all times humbly bow himself before the Almighty and worship Him. But man in this fall, lost condition, has too often raised up himself to hold his own intelligence in the philosophies and learning and theories of man. Man must come to realize and recognize God in all things and his own total reliance upon our anoited God and King, that only in, through and by him is found the way unto immortallity and eternal life and our way back to our Father in Heaven.  18a TG Revelation; TG Vision
     b TG Apostasy of Individuals
     c Luke 11:28
     d Prov. 28:9
     e TG Happiness

  19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
  20 Seest thou a man that is ahasty in his words? there is more hope of a bfool than of him.
  21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
 20a TG Haste; TG Rashness
     b Prov. 26:12

  22 An aangry man stirreth up bastrife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
  23 A man's apride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the bhumble in spirit.
  24 Whoso is partner with a thief ahateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
 22a Eccl. 7:9; Matt. 5:22
     b TG Strife
 23a Prov. 17:19; Prov. 18:12;
       Hel. 12:5 (1-5)
     b TG Humility
 23a TG Hate

  25 The afear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his btrust in the LORD shall be safe.
  26 Many seek the ruler's afavour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
  27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the awicked.
 25a John 12:42-43; John 19:38
       TG Peer Influence; TG Trust in God
 26a Prov. 19:6
 27a 1 Ne. 15:36