Proverbs 22:3

“A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself, etc.] A wise man, whose eyes are in his head, who looks about him and before him, and is cautious and careful of his conduct and behaviour; he foresees the evil of sin he is liable to be drawn into by such and such company, snares, and temptations; and therefore he keeps from them, and abstains from all appearance of evil, or what would lead him to it; and he foresees the evil of punishment, or the judgments of God that are coming on for sin; and he betakes himself to the Lord, to those hiding places and chambers of retreat and protection he has provided for his people, till the indignation be overpast; (see <232620>Isaiah 26:20); but…”

“are punished--that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.”

“The evil - The judgment of God threatened, and approaching. Hideth - Retires to his strong tower, by prayer and repentance, puts himself under the protection of the almighty. Pass on - Carefully and securely. Proverbs 22:6”

“22:3 // 27:12 The theme of taking precautions is found in several proverbs (14:8, 15; 21:29).”

“prudent: Pro 14:16, Pro 27:12; Exo 9:20, Exo 9:21; Isa 26:20, Isa 26:21; Mat 24:15-18; Th1 5:2-6; Heb 6:18, Heb 11:7 the simple: Pro 7:7, Pro 7:22, Pro 7:23, Pro 9:16-18, Pro 29:1 Proverbs 22:4”

“The group of proverbs beginning here terminates at Pro 22:7, where, like the preceding, it closes with a proverb of the rich and the poor. 3 The prudent seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple go forward, and suffer injury. This proverb repeats itself with insignificant variations, Pro 27:12. The Kerı̂ ונסתּר makes it more conformable to the words there used. The Chethı̂b is not to be read ויסתּר, for this Kal is inusit., but ויסּתר, or much rather ויּסּתר, since it is intended to be said what immediate consequence on the part of a prudent man arises from his perceiving an evil standing before him; he sees, e.g., the approaching overthrow of a decaying house, or in a sudden storm…”