Proverbs 4:7-8:7 NASB

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 4:7

Proverbs 4:7. Wisdom is the principal thing— "As there is no thing comparable to wisdom; so the first step to it is, to know as much, and to prize it accordingly. Begin therefore to be wise, by looking upon the fear of God as above all earthly possessions; and by being willing, if it were necessary, to give all thou art worth to know what is pleasing to him." The reader will find a good comment on this verse in the Book of Wisdom, chap. Proverbs 6:12-17. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 4:7

7. (Compare :-). getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 4:1-9

6. Teaching the love of Wisdom 4:1-9"This chapter is comprised of three discourses on the value of wisdom, each including the motifs of instruction, exhortation, command, and motivation." [Note: Ross, p. 922.] The first section of verses in this chapter shows how parents can pass along the love of wisdom: mainly by personal influence. Solomon’s instruction here was very positive. Rather than saying, "Don’t do this and that!" which he did elsewhere (cf. Proverbs 3:27-31), he wanted his sons to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:1-27

Ancestral Wisdom. The Two PathsIn Proverbs 4:1-9 the teacher lays stress on the fact that his instruction is a repetition of his father’s. No teaching was thought valuable save that which was handed down from one generation to another. The best pupil was the one who was ’a cemented cistern which loses not a drop.’ Proverbs 4:10-19 might be called the doctrine of the two paths, the two ways of life. 20-27 enjoin strict attention to instruction and to conduct.7. Lit. ’The beginning of wisdom is,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 4:7

(7) Wisdom is the principal thing . . .—This may also be translated, The beginning of wisdom is Get (or, to get, comp. Proverbs 16:16) wisdom: and with (i.e., at the price of) all thou hast gotten (thy possessions) get understanding. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 4:1-27

Proverbs 4:5-7 I mean to follow Solomon's directions, 'get learning, get understanding'. I find earlier days are gone by I find that I can have no enjoyment in the world but continual drinking of knowledge. Keats to John Taylor (1818). References. IV. 7. J. T. Bramston, Sermons to Boys, p. 152. A. E. Dunning, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xlviii. 1895, p. 12. U. Thomas, Ibid. vol. liii. 1898, p. 163. IV. 10, 11. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth, p. 117. 10-19. A. Maclaren, ... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 4:1-27

CHAPTER 4 1. Solomon’s training (Proverbs 4:1-9 ) 2. Hear, O my son: Receive my sayings (Proverbs 4:10-19 ) 3. My son, attend to my words. (Proverbs 4:20-27 ) Proverbs 4:1-9 . This passage shows the early training which Solomon received and he passeth on the instructions. It is said that these verses formed a model for many Puritan homes in England and the Scotland of the covenant. He was the beloved one, his father’s true son. Note the different exhortation, about wisdom: Forget it not;... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Proverbs 4:7

4:7 {c} Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.(c) He shows that we must first begin with God’s word, if we will that other things prosper with us, contrary to the judgment of the world, which make it their last study, or else care not for it at all. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

These chapters begin with reminiscence. A father is reciting to a son the precepts taught him by his father in his youth, and which cover chapter four. Chapter five is a warning against the evil woman. Chapter six deals with suretyship, indolence, malice and violence, while chapter seven returns to the theme of chapter five. In the first-named chapter occurs the beautiful illustration of Hebrew rhythm to which attention was called in Lesson 1; and following it we find in Proverbs 4:18 and... read more