16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, From the stranger who hath made smooth her sayings,
and his lord seeth that Jehovah is with him, and all that he is doing Jehovah is causing to prosper in his hand, and Joseph findeth grace in his eyes and serveth him, and he appointeth him over his house, and all that he hath he hath given into his hand. And it cometh to pass from the time that he hath appointed him over his house, and over all that he hath, that Jehovah blesseth the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and the blessing of Jehovah is on all that he hath, in the house, and in the field; and he leaveth all that he hath in the hand of Joseph, and he hath not known anything that he hath, except the bread which he is eating. And Joseph is of a fair form, and of a fair appearance. And it cometh to pass after these things, that his lord's wife lifteth up her eyes unto Joseph, and saith, `Lie with me;' and he refuseth, and saith unto his lord's wife, `Lo, my lord hath not known what `is' with me in the house, and all that he hath he hath given into my hand; none is greater in this house than I, and he hath not withheld from me anything, except thee, because thou `art' his wife; and how shall I do this great evil? -- then have I sinned against God.' And it cometh to pass at her speaking unto Joseph day `by' day, that he hath not hearkened unto her, to lie near her, to be with her; and it cometh to pass about this day, that he goeth into the house to do his work, and there is none of the men of the house there in the house, and she catcheth him by his garment, saying, `Lie with me;' and he leaveth his garment in her hand, and fleeth, and goeth without.
To preserve thee from a strange woman, From a stranger who hath made smooth her sayings. For, at a window of my house, Through my casement I have looked out, And I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, A young man lacking understanding, Passing on in the street, near her corner, And the way `to' her house he doth step, In the twilight -- in the evening of day, In the darkness of night and blackness. And, lo, a woman to meet him -- (A harlot's dress, and watchful of heart, Noisy she `is', and stubborn, In her house her feet rest not. Now in an out-place, now in broad places, And near every corner she lieth in wait) -- And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, She hath hardened her face, and saith to him, `Sacrifices of peace-offerings `are' by me, To-day I have completed my vows. Therefore I have come forth to meet thee, To seek earnestly thy face, and I find thee. `With' ornamental coverings I decked my couch, Carved works -- cotton of Egypt. I sprinkled my bed -- myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, we are filled `with' loves till the morning, We delight ourselves in loves. For the man is not in his house, He hath gone on a long journey. A bag of money he hath taken in his hand, At the day of the new moon he cometh to his house.' She turneth him aside with the abundance of her speech, With the flattery of her lips she forceth him. He is going after her straightway, As an ox unto the slaughter he cometh, And as a fetter unto the chastisement of a fool, Till an arrow doth split his liver, As a bird hath hastened unto a snare, And hath not known that it `is' for its life.
`By these did not Solomon king of Israel sin? and among the many nations there was no king like him, and beloved by his God he was, and God maketh him king over all Israel -- even him did the strange women cause to sin. And to you do we hearken to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?'
For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And smoother than oil `is' her mouth, And her latter end `is' bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a sword `with' mouths. Her feet are going down to death, Sheol do her steps take hold of. The path of life -- lest thou ponder, Moved have her paths -- thou knowest not. And now, ye sons, hearken to me, And turn not from sayings of my mouth. Keep far from off her thy way, And come not near unto the opening of her house, Lest thou give to others thy honour, And thy years to the fierce, Lest strangers be filled `with' thy power, And thy labours in the house of a stranger, And thou hast howled in thy latter end, In the consumption of thy flesh and thy food, And hast said, `How have I hated instruction, And reproof hath my heart despised, And I have not hearkened to the voice of my directors, And to my teachers have not inclined mine ear. As a little thing I have been all evil, In the midst of an assembly and a company. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, Even flowing ones out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be scattered abroad, In broad places rivulets of waters. Let them be to thee for thyself, And not to strangers with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed, And rejoice because of the wife of thy youth, A hind of loves, and a roe of grace! Let her loves satisfy thee at all times, In her love magnify thyself continually. And why dost thou magnify thyself, My son, with a stranger? And embrace the bosom of a strange woman?
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.