Provérbios 21
Tyndale Open Study Notes · Tyndale Open Study Notes
Provérbios 21:1
21:1 A king was the most powerful individual in an ancient nation, and it seemed that he could do as he pleased. However, God directs the heart of the king.
Provérbios 21:2
21:2 This proverb is repeated almost verbatim in 16:2.
Provérbios 21:3
21:3 God is not pleased with worship unless godly actions flow from a godly heart (see Ps 40:6-8; Mic 6:6-8).
Provérbios 21:4-7
21:4 Demeanor (eyes), character (heart), and actions are all significant. God hates pride (see 6:17-18; 11:2; 13:10; 15:33; 16:18; 18:12).
Provérbios 21:8
21:8 The crooked path of foolishness ends with death; the straight road of wisdom leads to life.
Provérbios 21:9
21:9 // 25:24 A marriage that looks good on the outside (in a lovely home) is unrewarding if it is filled with quarrels (see also 21:19; 25:24; 27:15-17; cp. 11:22; 12:4b).
Provérbios 21:10
21:10 Evil people do not just act evil; they are evil. No appeal will persuade them to act otherwise.
Provérbios 21:11
21:11 The simpleminded learn by seeing a mocker punished (see 1:22; 19:25). The wise do not need the threat of punishment because they already desire wisdom.
Provérbios 21:12-14
21:12 The Righteous One: God sees what the wicked do in the privacy of their homes and will punish them for their sins. Alternatively, the Righteous One might refer to the insight of any righteous individual.
Provérbios 21:15
21:15 God is just, so he will reward the innocent and punish the wicked. No wonder the godly love justice while the wicked fear it.
Provérbios 21:16
21:16 Those who have common sense can avoid life’s dangers.
Provérbios 21:17
21:17 The expenses of wine and luxury prevent people from amassing their resources—they spend rather than save.
Provérbios 21:18
21:18 The wicked will fall prey to the traps they set for others (26:27; see also 11:8).
Provérbios 21:19
21:19 It’s better to live alone: Cp. 21:9; 25:24.
Provérbios 21:20
21:20 See also 3:9-10, 15-16; 10:15, 16, 22; 14:24.
Provérbios 21:21
21:21 Righteousness and unfailing love are character traits associated with Israel’s covenant with God (see Exod 34:5-7; Deut 7:9-11). The covenant promised life and honor to those who obeyed God’s law (Deut 28:1-14).
Provérbios 21:22-23
21:22 A wise military strategist can devise ways to defeat stronger forces. This makes wisdom superior to raw power (cp. Eccl 7:12; 9:13-18).
Provérbios 21:24-25
21:24 Mockers: See 1:25-27; 9:7-9. Also see study note on 1:22.
Provérbios 21:26-29
21:26 Generosity is a trait of the godly, while stinginess is characteristic of fools (29:7, 14). Paradoxically, the more you give, the more you get (11:24).
Provérbios 21:30
21:30-31 Human wisdom is impotent if it stands against the Lord (see 16:1, 3, 9, 33). Similarly, military power (represented by the horse) is impotent without the Lord’s blessing.