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 . read more
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. read more
Proverbs 3:7. Be not wise in thine own eyes, &c.— He employs all his authority, and all his eloquence, to exhort us to search after wisdom; but he would not by any means that we should be wise in our own eyes: he would have us doubt our own understanding; be always disposed to receive the good instructions of others; and refer to God, and not to ourselves, what we do: in one word, that our wisdom should never cause in us any pride, presumption, or temerity. See 2Co 12:11 and Isaiah 5:24. read more
Proverbs 3:8. Health to thy navel— Many expositors, after the LXX, render this, It shall be health to thy flesh, or to thy body, instead of thy navel: but the learned Schultens has shewn that the word is properly rendered here, and according to the genius of eastern language, which by the navel expresses the middle or centre; a figure usual with the Greeks also, who called Delphos the navel of the earth, because they thought that that oracle was placed in the centre of the earth. It appears,... read more
7. (Compare Proverbs 27:2; Romans 12:16). fear . . . evil—reverentially regarding His law. read more
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. read more
The fruit of peace 3:1-10The trust of the wise son (Proverbs 3:5-6) comes from heeding sound teaching (Proverbs 3:1-4), and it leads to confident obedience (Proverbs 3:7-9)."Teaching" (Proverbs 3:1, Heb. torah) means "law" or, more fundamentally, "instruction" or "direction." Here the context suggests that the teachings of the parents are in view rather than the Mosaic Law, though in Israel their instruction would have rested on the Torah of God."Where it [torah] occurs unqualified (Proverbs... read more
4. Divine promises and human obligations 3:1-12This section is mainly about peace as a benefit of wise living, but it concludes with another appeal to seek wisdom. read more
The Blessings of Obedience and of ChastisementThe first and third divisions, 1-10, 21-35, are exhortations to good conduct and promises of consequent blessing. The second, 11-20, declares the profitableness of divine chastening and the value of wisdom.1. Law] or ’direction.’ The teacher speaks as one having authority. 3. Mercy] RM ’kindness.’ He is to retain kindness and faithfulness, as he would the signet-ring which hangs from his neck by a cord (Genesis 38:18; Song of Solomon 8:6), or as the... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-35
The whole life for God (3:1-35)Obedience and loyalty to God, in addition to guaranteeing his favour, produce the kind of life that most people acknowledge as honourable (3:1-4). If, instead of trusting in their own wisdom and ability, people live in an attitude of reverential trust in God, they can be assured that God will direct them in all their affairs. God will remove obstacles and lead them to their desired goals (5-8).Personal income is one part of everyday life where people must honour... read more