---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "children = sons.  instruction = correction, or admonition.  know understanding = learn discernment.  son. The Hebrew accent (  Dechi ) emphasizes this wo"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/proverbs/4"
---

**children** = sons.
**instruction** = correction, or admonition.
**know understanding** = learn discernment.

**son.** The Hebrew accent ( *Dechi* ) emphasizes this word to show (1) his own early training ([Proverbs 4:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/3) ); (2) those whom he would instruct (verses: [Proverbs 4:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/1) , [Proverbs 4:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/2) ); (3) his instruction (verses: [Proverbs 4:5-9](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/5-9) .)
**only beloved** = unique.
**in the sight of my mother.** A special various reading, called *Sevir* ( App-34 ), reads "of my mother's sons". So in some codices, with several early printed editions.

**Keep** = Take heed to.
**live:** i.e. live again, in resurrection life. See note on [Leviticus 18:5](../../../kjv/leviticus/18/5) . Earthly life could he enjoyed without keeping commandments.

**Get wisdom:** [Proverbs 4:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/6) tells how to do it.
**it** = her.
**words** = sayings. Hebrew. *imrah.* See App-73 .

**her:** i.e. wisdom.
**preserve** = guard.
**keep** = protect, as one protects the apple of one's eye. See note on [Proverbs 4:23](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/23) .

**Wisdom . . . wisdom.** Hebrew in four words, "Beginning wisdom get wisdom" = as the principal thing, get wisdom.

**when** = because. Hebrew. *ki.*

**A crown** = A diadem.
**glory** = beauty: i.e. a beautiful diadem.
**deliver** = deliver fully and freely. Hebrew. *magan* (a rare word). Occurs only in [Genesis 14:20](../../../kjv/genesis/14/20) , here, and [Hosea 11:8](../../../kjv/hosea/11/8) .

**my son.** See note on [Proverbs 1:8](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/8) .
**sayings.** Hebrew. *imrah.* See App-73 .
**the years of thy life shall be many** = [my sayings] shall grow greater [through] the years of thy life. The verb denotes increase of size, not merely numbers. See notes on [Proverbs 3:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/2) , [Proverbs 3:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/16) ; [Proverbs 10:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/27) . The verb here is masculine, but "years of life" is feminine. The verb therefore refers to "sayings".

**taught** = directed.

**When thou goest:** or, as thou walkest; i.e. however hedged in our path seems, it opens out as we go forward.
**when thou runnest** = if thou runnest. To walk is obligatory; to run is optional.

**Take fast hold.** The Hiphils of this clause are emphatic.
**let her not go** = do not let her go.
**she** = she herself. Emphatic.

**Enter not.** Note the Figure of speech *Synonymia* ( App-6 ) in the verbs of verses: [Proverbs 4:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/14) , [Proverbs 4:15](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/15) . Illustrations: Lot ([Genesis 13:10-13](../../../kjv/genesis/13/10-13) ); Solomon ([2 Kings 23:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/23/13) . Compare with [1 Kings 11:5](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/5) ); Jehoshaphat ([2 Chronicles 18:1](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/18/1) ; [2 Chronicles 21:6](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/21/6) . Compare with [2 Chronicles 19:2](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/19/2) ; [2 Chronicles 22:2](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/22/2) , 2Ch 22:3 , [2 Chronicles 22:10](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/22/10) , and [Proverbs 6:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/27) , [Proverbs 6:28](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/28) ).
**wicked** = lawless. Hebrew. *rasha.* App-44 .
**evil.** Hebrew. *ra'a'.* App-44 .

**Avoid** = let that go; referring to [Proverbs 4:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/14) . Note the Figure of speech *Synonymia.* App-6 .
**away** = on.

**For.** Hebrew. *im l'o* = because; i.e. the reason why they sleep not is because they mean mischief, and because they intend an occasion of stumbling.

**bread.** Put by Figure of speech *Synecdoche* (of Part) for food in general.
**of** = obtained. Genitive of Origin. App-17 (2).
**wickedness** = lawlessness. Hebrew. *rasha'.* App-44 .
**wine.** Hebrew. *yayin.* App-27 .
**of violence** = obtained by violence. Genitive of Origin. App-17 (2).

**But.** Marking the contrast between the growth of wickedness (verses: [Proverbs 4:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/16) , [Proverbs 4:17](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/17) ), and the growth of wisdom leading in right paths (verses: [Proverbs 4:11](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/11) , [Proverbs 4:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/12) ).
**the shining light** = the dawning of day: advancing and brightening till noon.
**perfect** = stable part, when the sun seems stationary on the meridian. Illustrations: Jacob ([Genesis 49:10](../../../kjv/genesis/49/10) , [Genesis 49:18](../../../kjv/genesis/49/18) . [Hebrews 11:21](../../../kjv/hebrews/11/21) ); Nathanael ([John 1:46-51](../../../kjv/john/1/46-51) ); Eunuch ([Acts 8:27-39](../../../kjv/acts/8/27-39) ).

**way of the wicked.** Illustrations: Korah ([Numbers 16:16-19](../../../kjv/numbers/16/16-19) ); Ahab ([1 Kings 16:31](../../../kjv/1-kings/16/31) ); Babylon ([Isaiah 47:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/47/11) ); Jews ([Jeremiah 5:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/19) , [Jeremiah 5:25](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/25) ; [Jeremiah 44:15-23](../../../kjv/jeremiah/44/15-23) .[Ezekiel 18:29](../../../kjv/ezekiel/18/29) . [Acts 28:25](../../../kjv/acts/28/25) , [Acts 28:26](../../../kjv/acts/28/26) ).
**as.** Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "in".

**words.** Hebrew. *dabar.* App-73 .

**depart** = get away from.

**health** = healing.

**Keep . . . with all diligence.** Above all that must be guarded. The preposition M (hebrew character) marks the place or person that keeps: the meaning being, guard the heart as the great citadel, for out of it are the source and outgoings of life. Same word as in verses: [Proverbs 6:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/13) . Not the same word as in verses: [Proverbs 4:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/21) .
**froward.** See notes on [Proverbs 2:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/2/12) and [Proverbs 6:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/12) , the only other examples of frowardness of mouth.
**(23-27)** Note the *Alternation* in these verses. Positive. Heart. Negative. Mouth. Positive. Eyes. 27. Negative. Feet.

**Ponder the path, &c.** Illustrations: Abraham ([Genesis 24:1-9](../../../kjv/genesis/24/1-9) . See note on [Proverbs 3:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/5) , [Proverbs 3:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/6) ); Eleazar ([Genesis 24:5](../../../kjv/genesis/24/5) ); Joshua ([Proverbs 24:15](../../../kjv/proverbs/24/15) ); Ruth ([Proverbs 1:16-18](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/16-18) ); David ([Psalms 39:1](../../../kjv/psalms/39/1) ); Hezekiah ([Psalms 119:50](../../../kjv/psalms/119/50) ); The good wife ([Proverbs 31:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/31/27) ); Daniel ([Proverbs 1:8](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/8) ; [Proverbs 6:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/3) , [Proverbs 6:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/4) ); contrast Asa ([2 Chronicles 16:1-9](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/16/1-9) ). 2Ch 5:1-23 (B p. 865). THE FOREIGN WOMAN.

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