It is likely that the last two-and-a-half chapters of Proverbs have been lengthier sayings collected from the surrounding ANE culture. Here we have some sayings that are clearly stated as having been collected by Hezekiah.
Many of these proverbs have a common style -- they give a picture, an image, often from nature, and then an action or thought with which to compare that word picture. Many of these verses have a hint of riddle in them. For example,
Question. What is like purifying silver by removing the dross (verse 4)?Answer. Removing the wicked from the king's presence.
Alter calls this style "riddle form", since it hints at this type of question.
Proverbs 25:1, Collected by Hezekiah
These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
This section is explicitly described as compiled and edited by Hezekiah, who reigned in Judah around 700 BC, after the fall of the northern kingdoms. Hezekiah's reign overlapped with the ministry of Isaiah.
Proverbs 25:2-5, In the king's presence
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Remove the dross from the silver,
and out comes material for the silversmith;
remove the wicked from the king's presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
The role of a king is to search out knowledge and wisdom, even though things may be hidden to others. This is especially relevant to issues of justice, in which the king's thoughts (and knowledge?) should be deep and well researched. This verse may be putting some responsibility on the king to be above the populace in wisdom and knowledge.
After the statement about knowledge begins a series of metaphors, word pictures, each compared with certain acts of thoughts of the wise or the wicked. For example, removing the wicked from the king's presence (and from the kingdom) is compared to purifying silver and removing the dross.
Proverbs 25:6-7a, Humility before the king
Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;
it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
Before the king, one should be humble and let the king himself boast of you or seat you at a high place. Jesus said something similar about seating at a wedding in Luke 14:8-11. My mother, in a home with three precocious children, said, "You may be smart but don't brag to others about your achievements. Let others brag about you." (That advice explains why, despite my exceptional intelligence, I also have exceptional modesty! 😆 )
Proverbs 25:7b-8, Impatience
What you have seen with your eyes
do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
A hurried and impatient appeal to the court can lead to a public loss.
Proverbs 25:9-11, Confidences
If you argue your case with a neighbor,
do not betray another man's confidence,
or he who hears it may shame you
and you will never lose your bad reputation.
Be careful with confidences.
Proverbs 25:11-12, Apt words
A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.
Luxurious golden apples among silver, luxurious golden earrings or other golden ornaments -- those are compared to wise words and wise, constructive criticism. Alter points out the strength of the last analogy: the wise man's rebuke whispered into one's ear is as precious as a gold earring worn there.
Proverbs 25:13-14, Cool snow
Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.
Alter: harvest time in Judah is especially warm, too warm for snow. And so a cool snow would be remarkably refreshing, just like a trustworthy messenger. In contrast, in that desert climate, clouds and wind that promise rain but then pass on by -- that is like a man who boasts of gifts he does not have.
Proverbs 25:15, A powerful tongue
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
A person can patiently work with a ruler to win them over. Indeed, the tongue is so powerful that it can break bones!
Proverbs 25:16-17, Vomiting honey
If you find honey, eat just enough--
too much of it, and you will vomit.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house--
too much of you, and he will hate you.
The first two lines form a warning about self-control and delayed gratification. Too much of a good thing can make you throw up even honey! In the same way, don't offer your sweet presence to your neighbor too often -- or they might expel you out the front door!
Proverbs 25:18-19, Painful, faithless
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
What is like these weapons: club, sword, sharp arrow? A man who gives false testimony.
What is like an infected tooth or a sprained ankle? Someone who you cannot rely on.
In the first two lines we have an image of violence and damage caused by the false testimony. In the last two lines we have a tooth that won't let one chew or a bad foot that won't let one walk -- people can be equally unreliable.
Proverbs 25:20, Vinegar on soda
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on soda,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Vinegar poured on soda creates an "acrid sizzle" (Alter.) And leaves one with nothing. Singing songs to one with a heavy heart is like a cheery hello before coffee -- it is painful and irritating, not at all helpful.
Proverbs 25:21-22, Burning coals
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.
Here one is encouraged to treat the enemy well -- possibly because it makes you look good and grates on them! There is some value in smiling in the face of taunts or abuse, especially if the person doing the taunting (eg. the social media troll) is doing this to get a rise. This proverb is repeated by Paul in Romans 12:20.
Similar proverbs on vengeance and bitterness occur in Proverbs 17:13, Proverbs 20:22 and Proverbs 24:29.
Proverbs 25:23, North wind and rain
As a north wind brings rain,
so a sly tongue brings angry looks.
This proverb is unclear (both in Hebrew and English.) Apparently in Palestine the north wind brings dry air while rain is much desired. It is possible (says Kidner) that the strange Hebrew word chuwl, translated "bring" could really mean "push away" or the proverb comes from a region outside Palestine.
Proverbs 25:24, Live on the roof
Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
This verse is similar to verse 13, with a refreshingly cool event compared to good news or trustworthy messenger.
Proverbs 25:26, Polluted well
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
A clear flowing stream is a prize in the desert land of the Levant. But a righteous man becoming tainted by evil is like a spring becoming muddy and polluted. (This metaphor also appears in Ezekiel 34:18-19, God accuses Israel of muddying the waters where His flock drink.)
Proverbs 25:27, Too much honey (again)
It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
See verse 6, above, and my comment there. Once again, eating honey is seen as the epitome of eating pleasure.
Proverbs 25:28, Broken walls
Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.
A city with broken walls is easily defeated. So is a man who has no self-control, who lashes out at all restraints.
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