Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:1

children = sons.

instruction = correction, or admonition.

know understanding = learn discernment.

Proverbs 4:3

son. The Hebrew accent (Dechi) emphasizes this word to show (1) his own early training (Proverbs 4:3); (2) those whom he would instruct (verses: Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 4:2); (3) his instruction (verses: 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.

Proverbs 4:4

Keep = Take heed to.

live: i.e. live again, in resurrection life. See note on Leviticus 18:5. Earthly life could he enjoyed without keeping commandments.

Proverbs 4:5

Get wisdom: Proverbs 4:6 tells how to do it.

it = her.

words = sayings. Hebrew. imrah. See App-73.

Proverbs 4:6

her: i.e. wisdom.

preserve = guard.

keep = protect, as one protects the apple of one’s eye. See note on Proverbs 4:23.

Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom . . . wisdom. Hebrew in four words, “Beginning wisdom get wisdom” = as the principal thing, get wisdom.

Proverbs 4:8

when = because. Hebrew. ki.

Proverbs 4:9

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, here, and Hosea 11:8.

Proverbs 4:10

my son. See note on 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, Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 10:27. The verb here is masculine, but “years of life” is feminine. The verb therefore refers to “sayings”.

Proverbs 4:11

taught = directed.

Proverbs 4:12

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.

Proverbs 4:13

Take fast hold. The Hiphils of this clause are emphatic.

let her not go = do not let her go.

she = she herself. Emphatic.

Proverbs 4:14

Enter not. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia (App-6) in the verbs of verses: Proverbs 4:14, Proverbs 4:15. Illustrations: Lot (Genesis 13:10-13); Solomon (2 Kings 23:13. Compare with 1 Kings 11:5); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Chronicles 21:6. Compare with 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 22:2, 2 Chronicles 22:3, 2 Chronicles 22:10, and Proverbs 6:27, Proverbs 6:28).

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha. App-44.

evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.

Proverbs 4:15

Avoid = let that go; referring to Proverbs 4:14. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia. App-6.

away = on.

Proverbs 4:16

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.

Proverbs 4:17

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).

Proverbs 4:18

But. Marking the contrast between the growth of wickedness (verses: Proverbs 4:16, Proverbs 4:17), and the growth of wisdom leading in right paths (verses: Proverbs 4:11, 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, Genesis 49:18. Hebrews 11:21); Nathanael (John 1:46-51); Eunuch (Acts 8:27-39).

Proverbs 4:19

way of the wicked. Illustrations: Korah (Numbers 16:16-19); Ahab (1 Kings 16:31); Babylon (Isaiah 47:11); Jews (Jeremiah 5:19, Jeremiah 5:25; Jeremiah 44:15-23. Ezekiel 18:29. Acts 28:25, Acts 28:26).

as. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read “in”.

Proverbs 4:20

words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73.

Proverbs 4:21

depart = get away from.

Proverbs 4:22

health = healing.

Proverbs 4:23

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. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 4:21.

froward. See notes on Proverbs 2:12 and 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.

Proverbs 4:26

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