Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 3

Introduction

CHAPTER 3

:-. The study of truth commended. God must be feared, honored, and trusted, and filial submission, under chastisement, exhibited. The excellence of wisdom urged and illustrated by its place in the divine counsels. Piety enforced by a contrast of the destiny of the righteous and the wicked.

Verse 1

1. law [and] commandments—all divine instructions (see on :- and :-).

let thine heart keep—or sincerely observe (Proverbs 4:13; Proverbs 5:2).

Verse 2

2. length . . . life—often promised as blessings (Psalms 21:4; Psalms 91:16).

peace—includes prosperity (Psalms 125:5).

add—abound to thee.

Verse 3

3. mercy and truth—God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Psalms 25:10; Psalms 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 20:28).

bind . . . write . . . heart—outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.

Verse 4

4. favour—grace, amiability (Proverbs 22:11; Psalms 45:2); united with this,

a good understanding—(Compare Margin), a discrimination, which secures success.

in the sight . . . man—such as God and man approve.

Verse 5

5. Trust . . . heart—This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Proverbs 22:19; Proverbs 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.

Verse 6

6. ways— ( :-).

acknowledge—by seeking His wise aid (Proverbs 16:3; Psalms 37:5; Jeremiah 9:23; Jeremiah 9:24).

direct—literally, "make plain" (compare Hebrews 12:13).

Verse 7

7. (Compare Proverbs 27:2; Romans 12:16).

fear . . . evil—reverentially regarding His law.

Verse 8

8. It—This conduct.

health—(Compare Margin).

to thy navel—for all the organs of nourishment.

marrow—(Compare Margin).

bones—frame of body. True piety promotes bodily health.

Verse 9

9, 10. (Compare Proverbs 11:25; Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 18:4; Isaiah 32:8; 2 Corinthians 9:13).

Verse 10

10. presses—or wine fats (Joel 2:24; Joel 3:13).

Verse 11

11, 12. The true intent of afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:5; Hebrews 12:6).

Verse 12

12. he delighteth—or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.

Verse 13

13. findeth—literally, "reaches," or "obtains by seeking."

getteth—literally, "draws out," as metals by digging.

Verse 14

14, 15. The figure of :- carried out.

it—that is, wisdom.

merchandise of silver—acquisition by trading.

fine gold—dug gold, solid as a nugget.

Verse 15

15. rubies—gems, or pearls.

Verse 16

16, 17. Wisdom personified as bringing the best blessings (compare Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8).

Verse 17

17. Her ways—such as she directs us to take.

Verse 18

18. Wisdom allegorized as

a tree of life— (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.

Verse 19

19, 20. The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession.

Verse 21

21. sound wisdom—(compare :-).

let . . . eyes—that is, these words of instruction.

Verse 22

22-24. assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.

Verse 25

25. Be not—or, "You shall not be."

sudden fear—what causes it (Proverbs 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Psalms 46:3; Psalms 91:12; 1 Peter 3:14).

desolation— (1 Peter 3:14- :).

Verse 26

26. The reason; such as are objects of God's favor.

be thy confidence—literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare Nahum 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew).

Verse 27

27, 28. Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare James 2:15; James 2:16).

Verse 29

29, 30. Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.

Verse 31

31. oppressor—or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot (Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:2; Psalms 37:35; Psalms 37:36).

Verse 32

32-35. Reasons for the warning.

froward— ( :-).

secret . . . righteous—in their communion (Amos 3:7).

Verse 33

33. curse . . . wicked—It abides with them, and will be manifested.

Verse 34

34. The retribution of sinners, as in Psalms 18:26.

Verse 35

35. inherit—as a portion.

shame—or disgrace, as opposed to honor.

promotion—(Compare Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so fools are signalized by disgrace.