2 For I give H5414 you good H2896 doctrine, H3948 forsake H5800 ye not my law. H8451
If his children H1121 forsake H5800 my law, H8451 and walk H3212 not in my judgments; H4941 If they break H2490 my statutes, H2708 and keep H8104 not my commandments; H4687 Then will I visit H6485 their transgression H6588 with the rod, H7626 and their iniquity H5771 with stripes. H5061
Hear; H8085 for I will speak H1696 of excellent things; H5057 and the opening H4669 of my lips H8193 shall be right things. H4339 For my mouth H2441 shall speak H1897 truth; H571 and wickedness H7562 is an abomination H8441 to my lips. H8193 All the words H561 of my mouth H6310 are in righteousness; H6664 there is nothing froward H6617 or perverse H6141 in them. They are all plain H5228 to him that understandeth, H995 and right H3477 to them that find H4672 knowledge. H1847
[[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm H4210 for the sons H1121 of Korah.]] H7141 Hear H8085 this, all ye people; H5971 give ear, H238 all ye inhabitants H3427 of the world: H2465 Both low H1121 H120 and high, H1121 H376 rich H6223 and poor, H34 together. H3162 My mouth H6310 shall speak H1696 of wisdom; H2454 and the meditation H1900 of my heart H3820 shall be of understanding. H8394
Have not I written H3789 to thee H8032 excellent things H7991 in counsels H4156 and knowledge, H1847 That I might make thee know H3045 the certainty H7189 of the words H561 of truth; H571 that thou mightest answer H7725 the words H561 of truth H571 to them that send H7971 unto thee?
Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 and G2532 said, G2036 My G1699 doctrine G1322 is G2076 not G3756 mine, G1699 but G235 his that sent G3992 me. G3165 If G1437 any man G5100 will G2309 do G4160 his G846 will, G2307 he shall know G1097 of G4012 the doctrine, G1322 whether G4220 it be G2076 of G1537 God, G2316 or G2228 whether I G1473 speak G2980 of G575 myself. G1683
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 4
Commentary on Proverbs 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 1:8).
to know—in order to know.
doctrine—the matter of learning (Pr 1:5), such as he had received (La 3:1).
3. father's son—emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by
only beloved—or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).
4. He taught—or directed me.
retain—as well as receive.
keep … and live—observe, that you may live (Pr 7:2).
5. Get—as a possession not to be given up.
neither decline—that is, from obeying my word.
6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.
7. (Compare Job 28:28).
getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.
8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.
embrace her—with fond affection.
9. ornament—such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.
deliver—(Compare Ge 14:20). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare Pr 4:6).
10. (Compare Pr 2:1; 3:2).
11, 12. way of wisdom—which it prescribes.
led thee—literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path (Ps 107:7).
not be straitened—have ample room (Ps 18:36).
13. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.
14. (Compare Ps 1:1). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.
16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pr 6:4; Ps 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pr 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; 34:7).
18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.
20-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).
22. health … flesh—by preserving from vices destructive of health.
23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Mt 12:35; 15:19).
24. a froward mouth—that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Pr 2:15; 3:32).
perverse—or, "quarreling."
lips—or, "words."
25. Let … before thee—that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder—Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.
27. (Compare Pr 4:25). Avoid all by-paths of evil (De 2:27; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.