Proverbs 4:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 4:14-19

Some make David's instructions to Solomon, which began Prov. 4:4; to continue to the end of the chapter; nay, some continue them to the end of the ninth chapter; but it is more probable that Solomon begins here again, if not sooner. In these verses, having exhorted us to walk in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked. 1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing that looks like sin and leads to it. 2. In order to this we must keep out of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness ,.... Either that is gotten by wicked and unlawful means, or wickedness itself is bread unto them; it is that to their minds as bread is to their bodies; they feed upon it with as much eagerness, appetite, gust, and pleasure; it is a sweet morsel to them; it is meat, drink, sleep, and everything to them; they take the highest satisfaction and the utmost delight in it; and drink the wine of violence : either that which is obtained by rapine and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness - By privately stealing. And drink the wine of violence - By highway robbery. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

7. Seventh admonitory discourse. We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24 . This group extends to the end of Proverbs 7:1-27 . Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:14-19

The two paths I. LIFE UNDER THE IMAGE OF A PATH . It is a leading biblical image. There is much suggestion in it. 1 . Life, like a path, has a starting point, a direction, and an end. 2 . We have a choice of paths before us. The high road may image holy tradition and custom, the bypaths the choice of caprice or personal aberration. 3 . It is only safe to follow beaten tracks. What we call "striking out an original course" may be conceited folly. "Gangin'... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:14-19

The prudence of piety We may say concerning piety or virtue—the wisdom which is from God includes both—that the essence of it is in right feeling, in loving him who is the Holy One and that which is the right and admirable thing, and in hating that which is evil and base; that the proof of it is in right acting—in going those things and those only which are good and honourable, which God's Word and our own conscience approve; and that the prudence of it is in these two things which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:17

For ( ki, equivalent to the Greek γὰρ ) is here explanatory. It serves not so much to introduce another independent statement, as one which accounts for the statement made in the preceding verse, that the wicked sleep not unless they have done mischief, i.e. it states the reason why they are so conditioned. There is no comparison expressed in the original, as the rendering adopted by Schultens and others implies, "For wickedness do they eat as bread, and violence do they drink as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 4:14-19

Proverbs 4:14-19. Enter not into the path of the wicked Avoid their practices and company; and go not in the way of evil men Do not proceed further therein. If thou hast unadvisedly entered into it, do not persist in it, but get thee speedily out of it. Avoid it, pass not by it Keep at a great distance from it. Turn from it, &c. Shun all occasions of sin. For they sleep not They cannot compose themselves to sleep with quietness and satisfaction to their own minds; unless they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

Wisdom the inner guide (4:1-27)The writer further instructs his ‘sons’ by passing on teaching that his own ‘father’ once gave him. The main point of that teaching was that, more than anything else, he was to get wisdom and insight (4:1-5). The first step in getting wisdom is the desire for it. Once obtained, wisdom will bring into the life of the possessor a new measure of security, honour and beauty (6-9).By living according to God’s wisdom, people will have true freedom, and at the same time... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 4:17

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part) for food in general. of = obtained. Genitive of Origin. App-17 (2). wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 . wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 . of violence = obtained by violence. Genitive of Origin. App-17 (2). read more

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