Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 3:2
2. length . . . life—often promised as blessings (Psalms 21:4; Psalms 91:16). peace—includes prosperity (Psalms 125:5). add—abound to thee. read more
2. length . . . life—often promised as blessings (Psalms 21:4; Psalms 91:16). peace—includes prosperity (Psalms 125:5). add—abound to thee. 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
III.(d) Fourth Discourse:—Exhortation to Various Virtues (Pro iii 1-18).(2) Long life.—That is, a life worth living, fit to be called “life”; whereas” length of days” only implies extension of life, the reward promised for obedience to parents. read more
Self-reliant Or God-reliant? Proverbs 3:5-6 No one who reads the book of Proverbs can fail to see that its maxims are of the utmost value. We should truly be the poorer without its pithy, practical sayings, which bear upon almost every phase of life. How much we need to remember the verses that I read as our text. I. It is Often Considered a Fine Thing to be Self-Reliant. Many men boast that they rely only on themselves. A man will point with pride to his prosperous business and say, 'I... read more
CHAPTER 4THE EARTHLY REWARDS OF WISDOMProverbs 3:1-10THE general teaching of these nine introductory chapters is that the "ways of Wisdom are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." We are taught to look for the fruit of righteousness in long life and prosperity, for the penalty of sin in premature destruction. "The upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, and they that deal treacherously shall be rooted out of it."... read more
CHAPTER 10TWO VOICES IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITYProverbs 9:1-18, Proverbs 20:14 with Proberbs 3, and Proverbs 20:16 with Proverbs 4:1-27AFTER the lengthened contrast between the vicious woman and Wisdom in chapters 7 and 8, the introduction of the book closes with a little picture which is intended to repeat and sum up all that has gone before. It is a peroration, simple, graphic, and beautiful.There is a kind of competition between Wisdom and Folly, between Righteousness and Sin, between... read more
CHAPTER 3 1. The call and promise of wisdom (Proverbs 3:1-10 ) 2. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom (Proverbs 3:11-20 ) 3. Promise and instruction (Proverbs 3:21-25 ) Proverbs 3:1-10 . The call to obedience is followed by promise. The promise is like all the promises to an earthly people “for length of days and long life”. Here are some blessed exhortations loved and cherished by all His people (Proverbs 3:5-7 ). How happier, and more fruitful the children of God would be if they... read more
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 3:2
they. Not the "law" and "commandments" of Proverbs 3:1 , for they are feminine, but the "days" of Proverbs 3:2 (which are masculine, agreeing with the verb "add", which is masculine also). See App-74 . add to thee. This, in the Hiphil = make increase for thee, or cause thee to increase or grow [in wisdom]: i.e. as the days and years lengthen and increase they will add to thy wisdom if thou forget not, &c. So in other passages where wisdom is supposed to promise long life, which it does... read more