Bible Commentaries

My son. Note this guide to the Structure on p. 864.

words = sayings. Hebrew. "imrah. App-73.

hide = lay up. More than listening = hide as in a treasury. Illustrations: Deuteronomy 6:6. Psalms 119:9, Psalms 119:11. Matthew 13:44. Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51; Luke 9:44.

incline thine ear = hearken. Hebrew prick up or point thine ear. Not the same word as in Proverbs 2:18.

wisdom. Hebrew. chokma. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

And apply = [then] thou shalt incline or bend thy heart, &c. This is the first step, as Proverbs 2:5 is the result.

understanding = discernment. Hebrew. binah. Note on "wisdom" (Proverbs 1:2), No. 2.

Yea = For if. (Hebrew. ki"im). If thou goest further and criest and seekest, &c. Then the result is shown in Proverbs 2:5.

as silver: or money. Probably the reference is to Job 28.

Then. In that case. See notes above.

the fear, &c. That is only "the beginning of wisdom", not the end. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

find. What He has hidden (Proverbs 2:7).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

giveth. The cry of Proverbs 2:3 implies a Giver. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 41:38, Genesis 41:39); Moses (Exodus 4:12); Solomon (1 Kings 3:12; 1 Kings 4:29); Daniel (Proverbs 1:17; Proverbs 2:23); Stephen (Acts 6:5, Acts 6:10); Lydia (Acts 16:14); Paul's prayer (Ephesians 1:17. Colossians 1:9); John (1 John 5:20).

Out of His mouth. A phrase common in the prophets, but only here in Proverbs.

cometh. Supply Ellipsis from preceding clause "He giveth".

He layeth up. Same word as "hide" in Proverbs 2:1. The wicked cannot find. The righteous must dig. It is in safety from the enemy.

sound wisdom = something stable. Hebrew. tushiyah = that which is, or stability. May be so rendered in all its twelve occurrences. Compare Job 5:12 (enterprise = anything stable); Proverbs 6:13 (wisdom = stability); Proverbs 11:6; Proverbs 12:16 (wisdom = stability); Proverbs 26:3; Proverbs 30:22 (substance). Proverbs 2:7; Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 8:14 (sound wisdom); Proverbs 18:1 (wisdom = all that is). Isaiah 28:29 (workings everything that is). Micah 6:9 (the man of wisdom = every one who is or exists). See App-74.

buckler. Compare Psalms 3:3; Psalms 7:10; Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:30, Psalms 18:35; Psalms 28:7; Psalms 33:20. Applied to God, as here.

uprightly = blamelessly.

He keepeth = for preserving. See note on Proverbs 4:23.

the paths of judgment = righteous paths.

preserveth, &c. Illustrations: David (1 Samuel 25:32-34; 1 Samuel 27:1. Compare 2 Samuel 22:1); Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

saints = favoured ones. Hebrew. chasidim. The first occurrence in Proverbs of this word which marks a later Jewish sect called chasidim or holy ones.

Then, &c. Another conclusion, as in Proverbs 2:2 and Proverbs 2:5.

When, &c.: or because. Commencing the particular instructions as to the practical power of wisdom, to keep from evil men (verses: Proverbs 2:10-15) and the foreign woman (verses: 16-19); and in the way of good men (verses: Proverbs 2:20-22). See App-74.

thy soul = thee. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

deliver = pluck, or rescue. evil = evil [man]. Hebrew. ra"a".

froward = perverse. Hebrew occurs nine times in Proverbs (verses: Proverbs 2:12, Proverbs 2:14, Proverbs 2:14; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 10:31, Proverbs 10:32; Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 16:30; Proverbs 21:8); elsewhere only in Deuteronomy 32:20.

darkness. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for the evil which leads thither. Compare Romans 13:12. Ephesians 5:11.

wicked. Same word as "evil", Proverbs 2:12.

strange woman. Hebrew. zur = apostate to a false religion, of which prostitution formed part.

stranger = foreigner. Hebrew. nakar = foreign woman. Not of Abraham's seed (Genesis 17:12): ever a snare to Israel.

house. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for household.

the dead. Hebrew Rephaim, who have no resurrection. Compare Isaiah 26:14 ("deceased"), Isaiah 26:19 ("the dead"); and see App-25. This shows that a Canaanite woman is referred to here.

return again. Compare "rooted out", Proverbs 2:22, with Isaiah 26:19.

take . . . hold = attain to.

dwell in the land. Not be "cast out", as in Proverbs 2:22.

perfect: or blameless.

wicked = lawless. Not the same word as in Proverbs 2:14. Hebrew. rasha".

transgressors = traitors, treacherous or faithless ones. Hebrew. bagad.