---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 3"
description: "CHAPTER 3   :-. The study of truth commended. God must be feared,
honored, and trusted, and filial submission, under chastisement,
exhibited. The excellen"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/3"
---

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.

**1. law** [and] **commandments**—all
divine instructions (see on 
and ).
**let thine heart keep**—or
sincerely observe ([Proverbs 4:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/13);
[Proverbs 5:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/5/2)).

**2. length . . . life**—often
promised as blessings ([Psalms 21:4](../../../kjv/psalms/21/4);
[Psalms 91:16](../../../kjv/psalms/91/16)).
**peace**—includes
prosperity ([Psalms 125:5](../../../kjv/psalms/125/5)).
**add**—abound to thee.

**3. mercy and truth**—God's
faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms
([Psalms 25:10](../../../kjv/psalms/25/10); [Psalms 57:3](../../../kjv/psalms/57/3)).
As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense ([Proverbs 16:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/6);
[Proverbs 20:28](../../../kjv/proverbs/20/28)).
**bind . . . write . . .
heart**—outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.

**4. favour**—grace, amiability
([Proverbs 22:11](../../../kjv/proverbs/22/11); [Psalms 45:2](../../../kjv/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.

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

**6. ways**— ().
**acknowledge**—by seeking
His wise aid ([Proverbs 16:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/3); [Psalms 37:5](../../../kjv/psalms/37/5);
[Jeremiah 9:23](../../../kjv/jeremiah/9/23); [Jeremiah 9:24](../../../kjv/jeremiah/9/24)).
**direct**—literally, "make
plain" (compare [Hebrews 12:13](../../../kjv/hebrews/12/13)).

**7.** (Compare [Proverbs 27:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/27/2);
[Romans 12:16](../../../kjv/romans/12/16)).
**fear . . . evil**—reverentially
regarding His law.

**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.

**9, 10.** (Compare [Proverbs 11:25](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/25);
[Exodus 23:19](../../../kjv/exodus/23/19); [Deuteronomy 18:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/18/4);
[Isaiah 32:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/32/8); [2 Corinthians 9:13](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/9/13)).

**10. presses**—or wine fats
([Joel 2:24](../../../kjv/joel/2/24); [Joel 3:13](../../../kjv/joel/3/13)).

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

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

**13. findeth**—literally,
"reaches," or "obtains by seeking."
**getteth**—literally,
"draws out," as metals by digging.

**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.

**15. rubies**—gems, or pearls.

**16, 17.** Wisdom personified as
bringing the best blessings (compare [Matthew 6:33](../../../kjv/matthew/6/33);
[1 Timothy 4:8](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/8)).

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

**18.** Wisdom allegorized as
**a tree of life**—
([Genesis 2:9](../../../kjv/genesis/2/9); [Genesis 3:22](../../../kjv/genesis/3/22))
whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.

**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.

**21. sound wisdom**—(compare ).
**let . . . eyes**—that is,
these words of instruction.

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

**25. Be not**—or, "You shall
not be."
**sudden fear**—what causes
it ([Proverbs 1:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/27)), any unlooked-for
evil ([Psalms 46:3](../../../kjv/psalms/46/3); [Psalms 91:12](../../../kjv/psalms/91/12);
[1 Peter 3:14](../../../kjv/1-peter/3/14)).
**desolation**— ([1 Peter 3:14](../../../kjv/1-peter/3/14)).

**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](../../../kjv/nahum/3/9), for the same
construction, *Hebrew*).

**27, 28.** Promptly fulfil all
obligations both of justice and charity (compare [James 2:15](../../../kjv/james/2/15);
[James 2:16](../../../kjv/james/2/16)).

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

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

**32-35.** Reasons for the warning.
**froward**— ().
**secret . . . righteous**—in
their communion ([Amos 3:7](../../../kjv/amos/3/7)).

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

**34.** The retribution of sinners,
as in [Psalms 18:26](../../../kjv/psalms/18/26).

**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.

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