14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Counsel - See Proverbs 1:5 note. This precept may well be thought of as coming with special force at the time of the organization of the monarchy of Israel. Compare 1-Kings 12:6.
Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of (g) counsellors [there is] safety.
(g) Where God gives store of men of wisdom and counsel.
Where no counsel is, the people fall,.... Where there is no wise and prudent, sound and good counsel, as the word signifies; where that is not, there had as good be none, or better; a people, a kingdom, a commonwealth, nation, or city, fall into ruin and destruction, or into schemes which bring them to it; they are like a ship without a pilot, or without a helm, or one to steer it: the Targum, Syriac, and Vulgate Latin versions, render it,
"where there is no governor;''
and the Arabic version,
"they that have no providence (or forecast) fall as a leaf falls;''
and so the Septuagint version,
"they that have no government fall as leaves,''
as leaves fall in autumn; and the word signifies the helm of government (o), in allusion to a ship;
but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety; because what one may miss another may hit upon; and, if they agree in their advice, it may be the more depended upon; and, if not, yet their different sentiments being compared together, and the reasons of them, a person may the better judge which is best to follow, and what is fit to be done: it may be rendered, "in the greatness" or "largeness of a counsellor" (p), for the word is in the singular number; that is, in the large capacity or endowments of a counsellor; in one that is abundantly qualified for a counsellor; whose abilities are not to be questioned; in the advice of such an one a man may safely confide; and who that answers to this character as Jesus Christ, the wonderful Counsellor? in whose counsel we may rest with the greatest safety; and which may be found in his word, in the Scriptures, which David says should be the men of his counsel, Psalm 119:24; see Isaiah 9:6.
(o) "gubernationes", Schultens. (p) "in amplitudine consiliarii", Junius & Tremellius.
We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others.
counsel--the art of governing (Proverbs 1:5).
counsellors--literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.
14 Where there is no direction a people fall
But where there is no want of counsellors there is safety.
Regarding תּחבּות, vid., at Proverbs 1:5. There it means rules of self-government; here, rules for the government of the people, or, since the pluralet. denotes a multiplicity in unity, circumspect κυβέρνησις. With 14b, Proverbs 24:6 (where direction in war, as here in peace, is spoken of, and the meaning of the word specializes itself accordingly) agrees; cf. also Proverbs 15:22. Hitzig criticises the proverb, remarking, "we who have the longest resorted to many counsellors, as a consequence of the superabundance have learned to say, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth,' and, 'He who asks long, errs.'" But the truth of the clause 14b is in modern times more fully illustrated in the region of ecclesiastical and political affairs; and in general it is found to be true that it is better with a people when they are governed according to the laws and conclusions which have resulted from the careful deliberation of many competent and authorized men, than when their fate is entrusted unconditionally to one or to a few. The proverb, it must be acknowledge, refers not to counsellors such as in Isaiah 3:3, but as in Isaiah 1:26.
*More commentary available at chapter level.