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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Shall make him of quick understanding, Heb. he shall make him smell, i.e. perceive, as that word is used, Jud 16 9 Job 39 25; understand or judge, as it is explained in the next clause. Or, his smelling shall be. Smelling is put for judging, because the sense of smelling, where it is quick and good, is more exact and sure in the judging of its proper objects, than the senses of seeing and hearing are.
In the fear of the Lord; which is added, either,
1. As the object of his judging; he is most perspicacious and judicious in the things which concern the fear, i.e. the worship and service of God, which he was to order and establish in his church. Or rather,
2. As the rule and manner of his judging, as may be gathered from the opposite and following clause. So the sense is, He shall not judge rashly and partially, but considerately and justly, as the fear of God obligeth all judges to do.
He shall not judge, of persons or causes. And judging seems to be here synecdochically put for absolving or giving sentence for a person, as it is used Psa_7:8,11, and in many other places, because this is opposed to reproving in the next clause.
After the sight of his eyes; according to outward appearance, as men must do, because they cannot search men’s hearts, 1Sa_16:7, or with respect of persons, but with righteous judgment, which is opposed to judging by appearance, Joh_7:24. Reprove, i.e. condemn or pass sentence against a person; for Christ is here supposed to be a Judge, and so he speaks of a judicial reproof. After the hearing of his ears, by false or uncertain rumours or suggestions, but shall thoroughly examine all causes, and search out the truth of things, and the very hearts of men.