CHAPTER 4
. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the
writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the
counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution
(against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to
docility, integrity, and uprightness.
4. He taught—or directed me.
retain—as well as
receive.
keep . . . and live—observe,
that you may live (Proverbs 7:2).
5. Get—as a possession not to
be given up.
neither decline—that
is, from obeying my word.
6. Not only accept but love
wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.
7. (Compare ).
getting—or possession;
a desire for wisdom is wise.
8. As you highly esteem her, she
will raise you to honor.
embrace her—with fond
affection.
9. ornament—such as the
chaplet or wreath of conquerors.
deliver—(Compare ). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew,
suggests protection as well as honor (compare ).
11, 12. way of wisdom—which it
prescribes.
led thee—literally,
"caused thee to tread," as a path ().
not be straitened—have
ample room (Psalms 18:36).
13. (Compare ). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest
effort.
14. (Compare ). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.
16, 17. The reason is found in
the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted
(Proverbs 6:4; Psalms 36:5).
They live by flagrant vices (Psalms 36:5). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness,
their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16;
Job 34:7).
18, 19. As shining light
increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the
just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest
darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.
22. health . . . flesh—by
preserving from vices destructive of health.
23. with all diligence—or,
"above," or "more than all," custody
(compare Margin), all that is kept (compare ), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the
source of whatever affects life and character (Matthew 12:35;
Matthew 15:19).
24. a froward mouth—that is, a
mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from
that used (Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 3:32).
perverse—or,
"quarreling."
lips—or, "words."
25. Let . . . before thee—that
is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder—Consider well; a
wise course results from wise forethought.
CHAPTER 4
. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.
1, 2. (Compare ).
to know—in order to know.
doctrine—the matter of learning (Proverbs 1:5), such as he had received (Lamentations 3:1).
3. father's son—emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1 Chronicles 22:7; 1 Chronicles 29:1); an idea further expressed by
only beloved—or, "as an only son" (Genesis 22:2), though he had brothers (see on Genesis 22:2).
4. He taught—or directed me.
retain—as well as receive.
keep . . . and live—observe, that you may live (Proverbs 7:2).
5. Get—as a possession not to be given up.
neither decline—that is, from obeying my word.
6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.
7. (Compare ).
getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.
8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.
embrace her—with fond affection.
9. ornament—such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.
deliver—(Compare ). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare ).
10. (Compare Proverbs 2:1; Proverbs 3:2).
11, 12. way of wisdom—which it prescribes.
led thee—literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path ().
not be straitened—have ample room (Psalms 18:36).
13. (Compare ). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.
14. (Compare ). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.
16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Proverbs 6:4; Psalms 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Psalms 36:5). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; Job 34:7).
18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.
20-22. (Compare Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 4:13; Proverbs 3:8, &c.).
22. health . . . flesh—by preserving from vices destructive of health.
23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare ), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Matthew 12:35; Matthew 15:19).
24. a froward mouth—that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 3:32).
perverse—or, "quarreling."
lips—or, "words."
25. Let . . . before thee—that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder—Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.
27. (Compare ). Avoid all by-paths of evil (Deuteronomy 2:27; Deuteronomy 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.