How many times have we heard brethren quote Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint ." (ASV), "the people perish . . ." (KJV), and apply it to zeal and foresight in the Lord's work?

In our sincere efforts to give the proper meaning of a passage of scripture, we may find ourselves stating a truth which is found elsewhere in the Bible but it is not what is conveyed in the particular passage under consideration. The application is not in harmony with the context. We all realize that a certain word may have different meanings and a word interpreted in the wrong sense may be, and often is, the result of not properly considering the context in which the word is used. The result is an incorrect application of scripture. The sense in which a writer means for a word to be understood must be determined by the context of the passage in which that word appears.

By observing what is written preceding Prov. 29:18, we are able to ascertain the context of the entire passage. Beginning with the 15th verse, the inspired penman writes: "The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother. When the wicked are increased, transgression increaeth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall. Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest: Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul" (vss. 15-17).

In this proverb it is obvious that discipline in the home is being considered. A child unpunished is without restraint and such a child brings shame to his mother. The idea of verse 18 is now understood in light of what is said before. A child unrestrained is a detriment and in harmony with this truth it is stated in verse 18 that a people unrestrained will perish. What, then, does the word "vision" have to do with restraint? "Where there is no vision, the people perish" - "cast off restraint;" that is, they become ungovernable, they cannot be reigned. The word "vision" (Heb. chazon), means "prophecy" in its broadest sense and it "denotes the revelation of God's will made through agents . . ." (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 9, p. 555). The prophets were God's teachers-they instructed the people in divine matters. Franz Delitzsch ably comments upon this verse: "A people is in a dissolute condition when the voice of the preacher, speaking from divine revelation, and enlightening their actions and sufferings by God's word is silent amongst them (Ps. lxxiv. 9, cf. Amos 7:12); on the other hand, that same people are to be praised as happy when they show due reverence and fidelity to the word of God, both as written and as preached" (Biblical Commentary can the Proverbs of Solomon, Vol. 2, p. 252).

The meaning of Prov. 29:18 is clear. In the absence of divine revelation there is confusion, disorder, rebellion, and a lack of restraint. Such were conditions in the time of Eli when there was no vision (prophecy, 1 Sam. 3), and in the days of Asa when the people were without a priest to teach them (2 Chron. 15:3), and God's people were destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6).

When regarded and obeyed, the teaching of God will regulate the lives of people and make them happy. The last part of Prov. 29:18 is important to a proper understanding of the first part of the verse. "But he that keepeth the law, happy is he." When God's law is laid aside and ignored, there is no teaching and people will follow their own ways. As a result, the people perish. So, by looking at what precedes and what follows the statement that so often is misapplied, we have its true meaning. Without teaching people are uncontrolled but they are happy when they keep the law.

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Truth Magazine, XVIII:1, p. 6
November 1, 1973