Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 2

Verse 1

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 .

Verse 2

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.

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

as silver: or money. Probably the reference is to Job 28:0 .

Verse 5

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 .

Verse 6

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 ; Pro 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".

Verse 7

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.

Verse 8

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.

Verse 9

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

Verse 10

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 .

Verse 12

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 .

Verse 13

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

Verse 14

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

Verse 16

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.

Verse 18

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.

Verse 19

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

take . . . hold = attain to.

Verse 21

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

perfect: or blameless.

Verse 22

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

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