1 My son, if you will take my words to your heart, storing up my laws in your mind;
2 So that your ear gives attention to wisdom, and your heart is turned to knowledge;
3 Truly, if you are crying out for good sense, and your request is for knowledge;
4 If you are looking for her as for silver, and searching for her as for stored-up wealth;
5 Then the fear of the Lord will be clear to you, and knowledge of God will be yours.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; out of his mouth come knowledge and reason:
7 He has salvation stored up for the upright, he is a breastplate to those in whom there is no evil;
8 He keeps watch on the ways which are right, and takes care of those who have the fear of him.
9 Then you will have knowledge of righteousness and right acting, and upright behaviour, even of every good way.
10 For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasing to your soul;
11 Wise purposes will be watching over you, and knowledge will keep you;
12 Giving you salvation from the evil man, from those whose words are false;
13 Who give up the way of righteousness, to go by dark roads;
14 Who take pleasure in wrongdoing, and have joy in the evil designs of the sinner;
15 Whose ways are not straight, and whose footsteps are turned to evil:
16 To take you out of the power of the strange woman, who says smooth words with her tongue;
17 Who is false to the husband of her early years, and does not keep the agreement of her God in mind:
18 For her house is on the way down to death; her footsteps go down to the shades:
19 Those who go to her do not come back again; their feet do not keep in the ways of life:
20 So that you may go in the way of good men, and keep in the footsteps of the upright.
21 For the upright will be living in the land, and the good will have it for their heritage.
22 But sinners will be cut off from the land, and those whose acts are false will be uprooted.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 2
Commentary on Proverbs 2 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 2
Pr 2:1-22. Men are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches those principles by which they may obtain God's guidance and avoid the society and influence of the wicked, whose pernicious courses are described.
1-5. Diligence in hearing and praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of godliness, the fear of God.
hide … with thee—lay up in store (compare Pr 7:1).
2. Listen attentively and reflect seriously (Pr 1:24; Ps 130:2).
understanding—right perception of truth.
3. Yea, if—literally, "When if," that is, in such a case.
knowledge—or, "discrimination."
understanding—as in Pr 2:2.
4. There must be earnest prayer and effort.
5. understand—or, "perceive intelligently."
find—obtain.
6. For—God is ready (Jas 1:5; 4:8).
out of his mouth—by revelation from Him.
7. sound wisdom—literally, "substance," opposed to what is fictitious. According to the context, this may be assistance, as here corresponding with
buckler—or safety, or wisdom, which procures it (compare Pr 3:21; 8:14; 18:1; Job 6:13; 12:13).
layeth up—provides, ever ready.
8. keepeth … way—God defends the right way, and those in it.
saints—objects of favor (compare Ps 4:3, &c.). He guides and guards them.
9. Then—emphatic, in such a case.
righteousness … path—all parts of duty to God and man.
10, 11. Idea of Pr 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pr 2:2 and Pr 2:4.
12-15. To deliver—as from great danger (Pr 6:5).
way … man—(Ps 1:1).
froward things—perversity (Pr 6:14; 23:23), what is opposed to truth.
13. paths of uprightness—or, "plainness."
walk—habitually act;
14. and that with pleasure, in ignorance of good and pursuit of evil.
frowardness—Not only their own perversity, but that of others is their delight. They love most the worst things.
15. crooked—tortuous, unprincipled.
froward—literally, (they) are going back, not only aside from right, but opposite to it.
16-19. Deliverance from another danger.
the strange woman—This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jud 11:1, 2), married (Pr 7:5, 19) or not (1Ki 11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though "strange" may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as "strange fire" (Nu 3:4); "strange incense" (Ex 30:9).
flattereth—literally, "smooths."
her words—(Ps 5:9).
17. guide … youth—lawful husband (Jer 3:4).
covenant … God—of marriage made in God's name.
18. inclineth—sinks down (compare Nu 13:31).
the dead—or shades of the departed (Ps 88:10).
19. that is, such as remain impenitent (compare Ec 7:26).
paths of life—(Ps 16:11), opposed to paths unto the dead.
20. That … way of good—that is, Such is the object of these warnings.
21, 22. (Compare Ps 37:3, 9, 22, 27).
22. transgressors—or impious rebels (compare Jer 9:2).
rooted out—utterly destroyed, as trees plucked up by the roots.