5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God.
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; `But' the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? Or `if' he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall `your' heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of them that hate thee, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee; neither shall there any after thee have the like.
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, `even' Jesus Christ.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, `even' in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 2
Commentary on Proverbs 2 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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).
2. Listen attentively and reflect seriously (Pr 1:24; Ps 130:2).
understanding—right perception of truth.
3. Yea, if—literally, "When if," that is, in such a case.
knowledge—or, "discrimination."
understanding—as in Pr 2:2.
4. There must be earnest prayer and effort.
5. understand—or, "perceive intelligently."
find—obtain.
6. For—God is ready (Jas 1:5; 4:8).
out of his mouth—by revelation from Him.
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.
8. keepeth … way—God defends the right way, and those in it.
saints—objects of favor (compare Ps 4:3, &c.). He guides and guards them.
9. Then—emphatic, in such a case.
righteousness … path—all parts of duty to God and man.
10, 11. Idea of Pr 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pr 2:2 and Pr 2:4.
12-15. To deliver—as from great danger (Pr 6:5).
way … man—(Ps 1:1).
froward things—perversity (Pr 6:14; 23:23), what is opposed to truth.
13. paths of uprightness—or, "plainness."
walk—habitually act;
14. and that with pleasure, in ignorance of good and pursuit of evil.
frowardness—Not only their own perversity, but that of others is their delight. They love most the worst things.
15. crooked—tortuous, unprincipled.
froward—literally, (they) are going back, not only aside from right, but opposite to it.
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—(Ps 5:9).
17. guide … youth—lawful husband (Jer 3:4).
covenant … God—of marriage made in God's name.
18. inclineth—sinks down (compare Nu 13:31).
the dead—or shades of the departed (Ps 88:10).
19. that is, such as remain impenitent (compare Ec 7:26).
paths of life—(Ps 16:11), opposed to paths unto the dead.
20. That … way of good—that is, Such is the object of these warnings.
21, 22. (Compare Ps 37:3, 9, 22, 27).
22. transgressors—or impious rebels (compare Jer 9:2).
rooted out—utterly destroyed, as trees plucked up by the roots.