Proverbs 2:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:1-22

3. Third admonitory discourse, pointing out the benefits which arise from a sincere, earnest, and persevering search after Wisdom. This discourse divides itself into three parts. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:2

This verse is dependent on the preceding. So that thou incline. The literal translation is "to incline;" but the inclination of the ear and the application of the heart follow as a consequence upon the precepting ideas (cf. the Vulgate, ut audiat sapientiam auris tua ). The root idea of the original ( קָשַׁב , kashav ) is "to sharpen," viz. the ear as expressed, and so to give diligent attention to the precepts of Wisdom. In Proverbs 1:24 it is rendered "to regard." To apply... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:3

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge. The endeavour after Wisdom is not only to be sincere, it is also to be earnest, as appears from the "yea, if," and the verbs "crying" and "lifting up the voice," both of which frequently occur in Scripture as indicating earnestness. This earnestness is the counterpart of that which Wisdom herself displays (see Proverbs 1:20 , Proverbs 1:21 ). Knowledge ; i.e. insight. In the original there is practically little difference between "knowledge" and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:4

If thou seekest, etc. The climax in the series of conditions is reached in this verse; and the imagery employed in both clauses indicates that the search after Wisdom is to be persevering, unrelaxing, and diligent, like the unremitting toil and labour with which men carry on mining operations. "To seek" ( בָּקַשׁ , bakash ) in the original is properly "to seek diligently" (piel), and is kindred to "to search" ( קָפַשׂ , khaphas ) , which again is equivalent to "to dig" ( חָפַר... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:5

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord. Then ( אָן ), introducing the first apodosis, and answering to the conditional "if" of Proverbs 2:1 , Proverbs 2:3 , Proverbs 2:4 . The earnest endeavour after Wisdom meets with its reward, and those that seek shall find (cf. Matthew 7:7 ): and thus an inducement is held forth to listen to the admonition of the teacher. Understand implies the power of discernment, but Zockler gives it the further moaning of taking to one's self... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord giveth wisdom. The Lord Jehovah is the only and true Source of wisdom. The truth stated here is also met with in Daniel 2:21 , "He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." He "giveth," or more properly, "will give" ( יִתֵּן , yitten, future of נָתַן , nathan ) , wisdom; but the connection requires us to understand that the assurance applies only to those who seek after it earnestly and truly (cf. James 1:5-7 ). The two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:6

Wisdom a gift of God I. TRUE WISDOM ORIGINATES IN DIVINE INSPIRATION . Prophets and apostles—teachers of the highest truths—claim to be delivering a message from heaven. The greater the thoughts declared to us in Scripture, the more emphatic is the ascription of them to a superhuman source. Surely this very fact—this conjunction of unique value in the thoughts with the confident assertion that they are from God—should go far in leading us to believe in the inspiration of them.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:7

Wisdom which is the foundation of security and safety, and hence is sound wisdom, is that which God treasures up for the righteous. The teacher passes to another phase of the Divine character. God is not only the Source of wisdom; he is also the Ensurer of safety, the Source of salvation to those who act uprightly. It will be noted that the use of the word is confined to the Proverbs and Job, with the exception of the two passages in Isaiah and Micah. Buckler . Besides storing up the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:8

He keepeth the paths of judgment. This verse is explanatory of the latter hemistich of Proverbs 2:7 , and points out more fully in what way God is a Protector of his saints. Some connect the Hebrew infinitive לִנְצֹד ( lin'tsor ) , "to watch or keep," with "them that walk uprightly," and translate, "them that walk uprightly by keeping the paths of judgment;" but this is to transfer the idea of protection from God to such persons. The verb signifies specially "to defend, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 2:9

Then ( אָז , az ), repeated from Proverbs 2:5 , introduces the second apodosis. As the former referred to God, so this appears to refer more especially to man, and thus we have stated the whole benefit, in its twofold aspect, which Wisdom confers on those who diligently seek her. It is not to be affirmed, however, that righteousness and judgment and equity refer exclusively to man; they must represent some aspects of our relationship to God, both from the meaning of the words... read more

Group of Brands