Bible Commentaries
JFB Critical & Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Proverbs 2
Proverbs 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.
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 Proverbs 7:1).
Listen attentively and reflect seriously (Proverbs 1:24; Psalm 130:2).
understanding — right perception of truth.
Yea, if — literally, “When if,” that is, in such a case.
knowledge — or, “discrimination.”
understanding — as in Proverbs 2:2.
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 Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 8:14; Proverbs 18:1; Job 6:13; Job 12:13).
layeth up — provides, ever ready.
way — God defends the right way, and those in it.
saints — objects of favor (compare Psalm 4:3, etc.). He guides and guards them.
To deliver — as from great danger (Proverbs 6:5).
way man — (Psalm 1:1).
froward things — perversity (Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 23:23), what is opposed to truth.
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.
crooked — tortuous, unprincipled.
froward — literally, (they) are going back, not only aside from right, but opposite to it.
Deliverance from another danger.
the strange woman — This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Judges 11:1, Judges 11:2), married (Proverbs 7:5, Proverbs 7:19) or not (1 Kings 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” (Numbers 3:4); “strange incense” (Exodus 30:9).
flattereth — literally, “smooths.”
her words — (Psalm 5:9).
inclineth — sinks down (compare Numbers 13:31).
the dead — or shades of the departed (Psalm 88:10).
that is, such as remain impenitent (compare Ecclesiastes 7:26).
paths of life — (Psalm 16:11), opposed to paths unto the dead.
transgressors — or impious rebels (compare Jeremiah 9:2).
rooted out — utterly destroyed, as trees plucked up by the roots.
Comments