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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 2:1-9

Job had asked, long before this, Where shall wisdom be found? Whence cometh wisdom? (Job 28:12, 20) and he had given this general answer (Job 28:23), God knoweth the place of it; but Solomon here goes further, and tells us both where we may find it and how we may get it. We are here told, I. What means we must use that we may obtain wisdom. 1. We must closely attend to the word of God, for that is the word of wisdom, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, Prov. 2:1, 2. (1.) We must be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:3

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge ,.... Of God, Christ, and the Gospel; not only bow the ear and bend the mind to these things, but importunately and fervently pray for them; not only attend the ministry of the word by men, but cry to God to give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; which supposes some sense of a want of it, an hearty desire for it, having some apprehension of the worth and value of it; and that it is to be had, as there is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:4

If thou seekest her as silver ,.... That is, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding; which all signify and relate unto one and the same thing, expressed here by "her": namely, the doctrine of wisdom, or Christ; that is, the Gospel, and a spiritual and experimental knowledge and understanding of it, and the truths thereof; which are as desirable and valuable as silver, and more so; and which may be fitly compared to it, and be preferred before it, for their purity, solidity, and duration; see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:5

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord ,.... The grace of fear, and the exercise of it: which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, and is a treasure itself, Proverbs 1:7 . By means of the Gospel the Lord works it in the hearts of his people by his Spirit; and by the same leads them into the riches of his special grace and "goodness", which they are influenced by to "fear", and the Lord for the sake of it: and particularly they are led hereby to the pardoning grace and mercy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord giveth wisdom ,.... Natural wisdom in all its branches, with all its improvements, and in its utmost latitude and perfection; and spiritual wisdom, which lies in the knowledge of a man's self, his own folly, impurity, impotence, and misery; being wise unto salvation; in the knowledge of Christ, as the only way of salvation, and of God in Christ; in partaking of the true grace, which is wisdom in the hidden part; in being acquainted experimentally with the doctrines of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:7

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous ,.... In order to give it to them that seek for it; which is another encouragement to search after it. By "sound wisdom" may be meant, not the law, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; so called, because it endures for ever, when all beings are defective and come to nothing; but the Gospel, which is sound doctrine, pure and not corrupt; true and real wisdom, in opposition to that which has only the show of wisdom, and is science falsely so called; and this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:8

He keepeth the paths of judgment ,.... That is, the Lord keeps them; he does that which is just and right himself, in the course of his providence, and in the methods of his grace; and as he guides the feet of his people in the ways of righteousness and holiness, he keeps them there from turning out of them. The words may be rendered, "to keep the paths of judgment" F17 לנצר "ad custodiendum", Pagninus, Montanus; "ad servandum", Baynus, Schultens. ; and so expresses the end, fruit,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:9

Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment ,.... This is another fruit and effect of the Gospel, and of a spiritual understanding of it; that besides the knowledge of God, and how to behave with reverence towards him, Proverbs 2:5 ; it leads men into a notion of doing that which is right and just among men; it gives them not only a theoretic but a practical understanding of justice, and a true judgment of what is right and wrong; or gives such an understanding thereof as that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 2:4

If thou seekest her as silver - How do men seek money? What will they not do to get rich? Reader, seek the salvation of thy soul as earnestly as the covetous man seeks wealth; and be ashamed of thyself, if thou be less in earnest after the true riches than he is after perishing wealth. Hid treasures - The original word signifies property of any kind concealed in the earth, in caves or such like; and may also mean treasures, such as the precious metals or precious stones, which are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 2:7

He layeth up sound wisdom - תושיה tushiyah . We have met with this word in Job; see Job 5:12 ; Job 6:13 ; Job 11:6 ; Job 12:16 . See especially the note on Job 11:6 ; (note), where the different acceptations of the word are given. Coverdale translates, "He preserveth the welfare of the righteous." It is difficult to find, in any language, a term proper to express the original meaning of the word; its seems to mean generally the essence or substance of a thing, The thing... read more

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