1.
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
My son. See note on Proverbs 2:1 .
keep = watch, guard. See note on Proverbs 4:23 .
2.
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
they. Not the "law" and "commandments" of Proverbs 3:1 , for they are feminine, but the "days" of Proverbs 3:2 (which are masculine, agreeing with the verb "add", which is masculine also). See App-74 .
add to thee. This, in the Hiphil = make increase for thee, or cause thee to increase or grow [in wisdom]: i.e. as the days and years lengthen and increase they will add to thy wisdom if thou forget not, &c. So in other passages where wisdom is supposed to promise long life, which it does not. See notes on Proverbs 3:16 ; Proverbs 4:10 ; Proverbs 9:11 ; Proverbs 10:27 .
3.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
Bind. Like the phylacteries. Compare Proverbs 6:21 ; Proverbs 7:3 ; and see Exodus 13:16 .
4.
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
understanding = insight. Hebrew. sekel. See note on "wisdom" (Proverbs 1:2 ), No. 6. Not the same word as in Proverbs 3:5 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
5.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Trust = Confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
with all thine heart. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 24:1-8 ; compare Proverbs 19:14 ); Eleazar (Genesis 24:12-27 ); Jephthah (Judges 11:11 ); David (1 Samuel 30:6-8 ); Asa (2 Chronicles 14:9-15 ); Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4-7 ; 2 Kings 19:14-37 ); Nehemiah (Proverbs 1:4-11 ; Proverbs 2:4-8 ).
understanding = discernment. Hebrew. binah. See note on "wisdom" (Proverbs 1:2 ), No. 2.
6.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
acknowledge = recognize, or own.
direct = rightly divide: i.e. dividing and thus showing what is right or pleasing to God. Hebrew. yashar. Numbers 23:27 . Compare Judges 14:3 , Judges 14:7 ; 1Sa 18:20 , 1 Samuel 18:26 . Rendered by Septuagint orthotomeo, the same word as in 2 Timothy 2:15 .
7.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Be not wise, &c. Illustrations: Ahab ( 1Ki 22:30 , 1 Kings 22:34 , 1 Kings 22:35 ); Jeroboam ( 1Ki 12:26-33 ; 1 Kings 13:33 , 1 Kings 13:34 ; Asa (1 Kings 15:19 ); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:10 , 1 Kings 20:11 ); quoted Romans 11:25 ; Romans 12:16 .
Fear = revere. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
the LORD. Jehovah (with 'eth) = Jehovah Himself. App-4 .
depart from = shun, or avoid.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
8.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
health = healing. Occurs only here.
navel. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part) for the whole body ( App-6 ). But Septuagint and Syriac, following a different spelling, read "body".
marrow = moistening.
9.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Honour . . . substance. This proverb has led to a universal custom. Compare 1Ti 5:3 , 1 Timothy 5:17 . Acts 5:2 ("price" = honour); Proverbs 19:19 . Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 14:20 . Hebrews 7:2 ); Jacob (Genesis 28:22 ); David (1 Chronicles 29:1-5 , 1 Chronicles 29:28 ); Widow (Mark 12:41-44 ); Woman (Mark 14:3-9 ); Cornelius (Acts 10:2 , Acts 10:4 ); Philippians (Proverbs 4:15-19 ).
10.
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
presses = wine-vats. Hebrew. yekeb. Not gath ; a wine-press.
burst out = overflow.
new wine. Hebrew. tirosh. App-27 .
11.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
despise not = shrink not from. Quoted from Job 1:20-22 , and in Hebrews 12:5 , Hebrews 12:6 . James 5:17 . Compare Job 34:31 , Job 34:32 . One of the passages quoted in the NT. from Proverbs, viz. Proverbs 3:11 , Proverbs 3:12 (in Hebrews 12:5 , Hebrews 12:6 . Compare Revelation 3:19 ); Proverbs 3:34 (James 4:6 ); Proverbs 11:31 (in 1 Peter 4:18 ); Proverbs 25:21 , Proverbs 25:22 (in Romans 12:20 ); Proverbs 26:11 (in 2 Peter 2:22 ). Illustrations: David (2 Samuel 15:25 , 2 Samuel 15:26 ; 2 Samuel 16:10-12 ; 2 Samuel 23:5 ); Hezekiah (Isaiah 39:5-8 , contrast Ahaz, 2 Chronicles 28:22 , and Jehoram, 2 Kings 6:31-33 ); Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:2 . Compare Isaiah 1:5 ).
12.
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
whom, &c. Joseph (Genesis 37:23-36 ; Genesis 39:20 ; Genesis 40:23 . Compare Psalms 105:18 ); Israel (Deuteronomy 8:3-5 , Deuteronomy 8:15 , Deuteronomy 8:16 ); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:35-37 ); Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7 ).
13.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Happy = Oh, the blessedness, as in Psalms 1:1 . Note the eight occurrences of this Beatitude in Proverbs: Proverbs 3:13 ; Proverbs 8:32 , Proverbs 8:34 (blessed); Proverbs 14:21 ; Proverbs 16:20 ; Proverbs 20:7 (blessed); Proverbs 28:14 ; Proverbs 29:18 .
wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
And = yea, or even.
14.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
the merchandise of it: i.e. literal, her merchandise.
15.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
She. Emphatic = She, in herself.
rubies = corals, or pearls.
16.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
in her right hand = in her power; "hand" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for use as a grand agency for good of all kinds. Not necessarily a long life conferred. See note on Proverbs 3:2 and App-75 .
riches, &c. = to be used aright. See App-75 .
17.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Her ways, &c. Illustration: Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:36 ; 2 Chronicles 30:26 . Contrast 2 Chronicles 28 ). Compare Acts 2:46 ; Acts 8:6 ; Acts 13:52 . 2 Corinthians 8:2 .
peace = well-being, or prosperity.
18.
The is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
a tree of life. See Genesis 2:9 ; Genesis 3:22 , Genesis 3:24 and compare Proverbs 11:30 ; Proverbs 13:12 ; Proverbs 15:4 .Revelation 2:7 ; Revelation 22:2 , Revelation 22:14 .
19.
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
clouds, &c. = skies.
dew = night mist. See note on Psalms 133:3 . "Dew" falls only when there are no clouds.
21.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
them. Is masculine, and so perhaps refers to the "mercy and truth" of Proverbs 3:3 .
sound wisdom = what is stable. See note on Proverbs 2:7 .
22.
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
neck. Septuagint adds, "Yea, it shall be healing to thy flesh; and refreshing to thy bones".
23.
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
liest down. Septuagint reads "sittest".
25.
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Be not afraid, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 14:13 , Exodus 14:14 ); Rahab (Joshua 6:24 , Joshua 6:25 .Hebrews 11:31; Hebrews 11:31 ); Elisha (2 Kings 6:16 , 2 Kings 6:17 ); Ebedmelech (Jeremiah 39:15-18 ).
the wicked = lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha'.
26.
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
thy confidence. Septuagint reads "in all thy ways".
keep = keep safe. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 3:1 , Proverbs 3:21 .
27.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Withhold not. Illustrations: Ammonites, &c. (Deuteronomy 23:3 , Deuteronomy 23:4 ); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:10 , 1 Samuel 25:11 ; Compare Proverbs 3:15 ); Widow (1 Kings 17:12 . 2 Kings 4:7 ); Parable (Luke 10:30-35 ); Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:1-11 ; 2 Corinthians 9:1-7 ).
them to whom it is due = the owners thereof.
hand. Hebrew text reads "hands", but some codices, with two early printed editions and Septuagint, read "hand" (singular)
28.
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29.
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
securely = confidently, or without suspicion.
30.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
If he, &c. (Hebrew. 'im lo = verily). Render: "he hath already done thee enough harm".
31.
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Envy thou not, &c. = Do not become excited against, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Hebrews 11:25 , Hebrews 11:26 ); Jezebel (1 Kings 21:7-13 . Compare 2 Kings 9:30-37 ). Psalms 34:21 .
the oppressor = the man (Hebrew. 'ish) of violence. App-14 .
32.
For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
froward = those who turn aside. The same word as in Proverbs 2:15 ; not as elsewhere in Proverbs.
abomination to the LORD. Note all the things thus declared: Proverbs 3:32 (Proverbs 11:20 ); Proverbs 6:16 ; Proverbs 8:7 ; Proverbs 11:1 ; Proverbs 12:22 ; Proverbs 15:8 (Proverbs 21:27 ), 9, 16, 26; Proverbs 16:5 ; Proverbs 17:15 , Proverbs 17:15 ; Proverbs 20:10 (23); Proverbs 28:9 .
secret = secret counsel. What is sealed up from all save those to whom He reveals it.
33.
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
The curse, &c. Illustrations: Baasha (1 Kings 16:1-4 , 1 Kings 16:12 , 1 Kings 16:13 ); Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:13-19 ); Coniah (Jeremiah 22:24-28 ); Jehu (2 Kings 19:8-12 .Hosea 1:4; Hosea 1:4 ); Hazael (Amos 1:4 ); Jeroboam II (Amos 7:9 ); Esau (Obadiah 1:18 ).
the wicked = a lawless one (singular) He blesseth, &c. Illustrations: Abraham (Hebrews 11:12 . Contrast Ahab, 2 Kings 10:1-11 ); Jacob (Genesis 30:27 ); Joseph (Genesis 39:2 , Genesis 39:21 ); Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:11 ); the widow (2 Kings 4:2-7 ).
the just = just ones (plural)
34.
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
He scorneth, &c. Quoted in James 4:6 . 1 Peter 5:5 .
35.
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
shall inherit, &c. Render: "the wise shall inherit glory, but a fool is piling up disgrace". Illustrations: Asaph (Psalms 73:24 ); Paul (2 Timothy 4:8 ); others (James 1:12 .3 John 1:12; 3 John 1:123 John 1:12 :26 ).
shame, &c. Illustrations: Jeroboam (1 Kings 21:22 . 2Ki 13:2 , 2 Kings 13:11 ; 2 Kings 14:24 ; 2Ki 15:9 , 2 Kings 15:18 , 2 Kings 15:24 , 2 Kings 15:28 ). Compare Proverbs 24:8 .
fools. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .