Proverbs 1:2-3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:2

The writer’s purpose is to educate. He is writing what might be called an ethical handbook for the young, though not for the young only. Of all books in the Old Testament, this is the one which we may think of as most distinctively educational. A comparison of it with a similar manual, the “sayings of the fathers,” in the Mishna, would help the student to measure the difference between Scriptural and rabbinical teaching.Wisdom - The power by which human personality reaches its highest spiritual... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:3

Wisdom - Not the same word as in Proverbs 1:2; better, perhaps, thoughtfulness.Justice - Rather, righteousness. The word in the Hebrew includes the ideas of truth and beneficence as well as “justice.”Judgment - The teaching of the Proverbs is to lead us to pass a right sentence upon human actions, whether our own or another’s.Equity - In the Hebrew (see the margin) the plural is used, and expresses the many varying forms and phases of the one pervading principle. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:2-4

Proverbs 1:2-4. To know wisdom Written to help men to know, thoroughly and practically, both human wisdom, to conduct their affairs properly in this life, and especially divine wisdom, showing them their duty to God and man, and making them wise unto salvation; and instruction The instructions delivered, either by God or men, in order to the attainment of wisdom. To perceive the words of understanding Those words which are the effects of a good understanding, or which give a man that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:1-7

1:1-9:18 THE VALUE OF WISDOMPurpose of the book (1:1-7)The instruction given in the book of Proverbs aims at producing wisdom. This wisdom involves not only growth in knowledge, but also the ability to use that knowledge in discerning what is right and true, then acting accordingly. It calls for training and discipline. The result will be purity in personal behaviour and justice in dealings with others (1:1-3).Although this wisdom is available to the young and immature, even the wise and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:2

To know = For discerning. So in verses: Proverbs 1:3 , Proverbs 1:4 , Proverbs 1:6 . wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. There are six words rendered "wisdom" in this book. (1) chokmah, rendered "wisdom" except in the passages below. It occurs thirty-nine times in singular, and three times in plural (Proverbs 1:20 ; Proverbs 9:1 ; Proverbs 24:7 = true wisdom); forty-two times altogether (6x7. See App-10 ). (2) binah = discernment or discrimination. Once rendered "wisdom" (Proverbs 23:4 ). Elsewhere,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:3

wisdom. Hebrew. sakal. See note on Proverbs 1:2 (No. 5), above. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 1:2

Proverbs 1:2. To know wisdom—to perceive— To give the knowledge of wisdom—the perception of, &c. and so on. The first six verses contain the author's design; wherein he uses several synonymous words to express the matter of which he intends to treat, as wisdom, instruction, understanding, knowledge, &c. By which he means instructions proper to form the mind; particularly those which respect youth, and which serve to correct and repress the sallies of their passions and humours. The... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 1:3

Proverbs 1:3. To receive the instruction— Or, to learn the discipline. Schultens paraphrases the clause thus: "To conceive and cherish in the inmost heart, as a heavenly seed, the discipline of perfection, by which both thy prudence and happiness may be completed." According to Grotius, by justice is meant whatever is comprehended under the idea of benevolence or goodness: By judgment, that branch of justice which maybe termed commercial, or distributive, and which relates to contracts and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:2

2. To know . . . instruction—literally, "for knowing," that is, such is the design of these writings. wisdom—or the use of the best means for the best ends, is generally employed in this book for true piety. instruction—discipline, by which men are trained. to perceive—literally, "for perceiving," the design (as above) understanding—that is, words which enable one to discern good and evil. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:3

3. To receive . . . of wisdom—For receiving that discipline which discretion imparts. The Hebrew for "wisdom" differs from that of :-, and denotes rather discreet counsel. Compare the opposite traits of the fool (Proverbs 16:22). justice . . . equity—all the attributes of one upright in all his relations to God and man. read more

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