Proverbs 2 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
The Law
History
Poetry & Wisdom
The Prophets
The Gospels & Acts
The Letters
Prophecy
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
CHAPTER 2
Pr 2:1-22. Men are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches those principles by which they may obtain God's guidance and avoid the society and influence of the wicked, whose pernicious courses are described.
1-5. Diligence in hearing and praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of godliness, the fear of God.
hide ... with thee--lay up in store (compare Pr 7:1).
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
6. For--God is ready (Jas 1:5; 4:8).
out of his mouth--by revelation from Him.
7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
7. sound wisdom--literally, "substance," opposed to what is fictitious. According to the context, this may be assistance, as here corresponding with
buckler--or safety, or wisdom, which procures it (compare Pr 3:21; 8:14; 18:1; Job 6:13; 12:13).
layeth up--provides, ever ready.
8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
8. keepeth ... way--God defends the right way, and those in it.
saints--objects of favor (compare Psa 4:3, &c.). He guides and guards them.
9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
9. Then--emphatic, in such a case.
righteousness ... path--all parts of duty to God and man.
10When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
10-11. Idea of Pr 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pr 2:2 and Pr 2:4.
11Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
12-15. To deliver--as from great danger (Pr 6:5).
way ... man--(Psa 1:1).
froward things--perversity (Pr 6:14; 23:23), what is opposed to truth.
13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
16-19. Deliverance from another danger.
the strange woman--This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jud 11:1, 2), married (Pr 7:5, 19) or not (1Ki 11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though "strange" may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as "strange fire" (Nu 3:4); "strange incense" (Ex 30:9).
flattereth--literally, "smooths."
her words--(Psa 5:9).
17Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
20. That ... way of good--that is, Such is the object of these warnings.
21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
21-22. (Compare Psa 37:3, 9, 22, 27).
22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
BIBLE