incline thine ear = hearken. Hebrew prick up or point thine ear. Not the same word as in Proverbs 2:18 . wisdom. Hebrew. chokma. See note on Proverbs 1:2 . And apply = [then] thou shalt incline or bend thy heart, &c. This is the first step, as Proverbs 2:5 is the result. understanding = discernment. Hebrew. binah. Note on "wisdom" (Proverbs 1:2 ), No. 2. read more
Yea = For if. (Hebrew. ki'im). If thou goest further and criest and seekest, &c. Then the result is shown in Proverbs 2:5 . read more
2. Listen attentively and reflect seriously (Proverbs 1:24; Psalms 130:2). understanding—right perception of truth. read more
3. Yea, if—literally, "When if," that is, in such a case. knowledge—or, "discrimination." understanding—as in :-. read more
The difficulty of obtaining Wisdom 2:1-5Even though Wisdom wants people to adopt her (Proverbs 1:20-33), she is hard to obtain. The person who wants her has to work hard for her (Proverbs 2:3). If understanding does not come easily, one should work harder to obtain it. [Note: See Julius H. Greenstone, Proverbs with Commentary, p. 17.] He or she must start with revelation, and study it diligently, in order to obtain spiritual rather than merely academic wisdom. The "fear of the Lord" emphasizes... read more
3. Wisdom as a treasure ch. 2Chapter 2 is a discourse that sets forth the blessings that wisdom confers. read more
The Search for Wisdom1-4. The condition which must be fulfilled. Spinoza said, ’The effort to understand is the first and sole basis of virtue.’1. Hide] i.e. as a treasure. 2. The heart in OT. is the seat of the intellect. 4. Wealth was hoarded in the shape of gold and jewels. In times of peril this was buried (Genesis 43:23; Job 3:21; Jeremiah 41:8; Matthew 13:44). Hence the suspicion with which Orientals have often regarded modern explorers.5-8. The result. It brings us into relation with Him... read more
CHAPTER 3WISDOM AS THE GUIDE OF CONDUCT"To deliver thee from the way of the evil man…To deliver thee from the strange woman."- Proverbs 2:12-16WISDOM is concerned, as we have seen, with the whole universe of fact, with the whole range of thought; she surveys and orders all processes of nature. We might say of her,"She doth preserve the stars from wrong, And the most ancient heavens by her are fresh and strong."But while she is occupied in these high things, she is no less attentive to the... read more
CHAPTER 2 1. The pursuit of wisdom and its results (Proverbs 2:1-9 ) 2. Preservation from the evil man and the strange woman (Proverbs 2:10-19 ) 3. The path of the righteous (Proverbs 2:20-22 ) Proverbs 2:1-9 This second chapter of divine instructions begins with an exhortation to pursue after Wisdom. The sayings of Wisdom, that is the Word of the Lord, must be received, laid up, the ear must incline to hear them, the heart must be applied to understanding. In verse 3 mention is made of... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 2:1-22
The rewards of seeking wisdom (2:1-22)People must spare no effort in diligently searching for wisdom. At the same time they must remember that the true goal of their search is not academic achievement but spiritual growth through knowing God better (2:1-5). However, when they obtain this wisdom, they cannot claim to have achieved it by their own abilities; it is the gift of God. He rewards those who seek genuinely (6).Not only does God give wisdom to those who earnestly seek it, but he also... read more