Proverbs 4
In this passage, we see a rich emphasis on the importance of wisdom and instruction as foundational elements for a life well-lived. The speaker, likely a father, implores his son to value wisdom above all else, highlighting that true life and honor come from embracing understanding and adhering to divine guidance. The text draws a clear distinction between the paths of the righteous and the wicked, illustrating that wisdom leads to illumination and safety while folly leads to darkness and stumbling.
Moreover, the call to guard one’s heart underscores the profound significance of inner integrity and moral vigilance. It suggests that our thoughts and intentions shape our reality, serving as a reminder that a heart aligned with God's principles is vital for spiritual and physical well-being. The overarching message encourages not just passive listening but an active pursuit of wisdom and righteousness, asserting the life-giving power of divine truth in a world filled with distractions and temptations.
Core Bible study
Proverbs 4:1
Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
Original language
שִׁמְע֣וּ בָ֭נִים מ֣וּסַר אָ֑ב וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ לָדַ֥עַת בִּינָֽה׃
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
The Hebrew word for "listen" is שִׁמְע֣וּ (shimu), which conveys the idea of active hearing and obeying, emphasizing the need for the sons to genuinely heed their father's teachings. The term "instruction" (מוּסַר, musar) refers to moral instruction or discipline, suggesting that these teachings are grounded in wisdom that shapes character and behavior. The call to "pay attention" (הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ, hak'shivu) underscores the importance of concentration and diligence in acquiring knowledge. This verse serves as an invitation to engage thoughtfully with the instruction given, leading to a deeper understanding of wisdom and righteous living.
The Hebrew word for "listen" is שִׁמְע֣וּ (shimu), which conveys the idea of active hearing and obeying, emphasizing the need for the sons to genuinely heed their father's teachings.
The term "instruction" (מוּסַר, musar) refers to moral instruction or discipline, suggesting that these teachings are grounded in wisdom that shapes character and behavior.
The call to "pay attention" (הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ, hak'shivu) underscores the importance of concentration and diligence in acquiring knowledge. This verse serves as an invitation to engage thoughtfully with the instruction given, leading to a deeper understanding of wisdom and righteous living.
Proverbs 4:2
for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.
Original language
כִּ֤י לֶ֣קַח ט֭וֹב נָתַ֣תִּי לָכֶ֑ם תּֽ֝וֹרָתִ֗י אַֽל־תַּעֲזֹֽבוּ׃
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
This verse emphasizes the value of wisdom and instruction that the father figure imparts to the son, indicating that sound learning is a gift and should be valued. The Hebrew word for "sound learning" (לֶקַח ט֭וֹב, leqach tov) suggests that this knowledge is both beneficial and wholesome, grounding the listener in moral and ethical understanding. Furthermore, the command "Don’t forsake my law" serves as a warning against neglecting the essential teachings that guide life. It reflects the notion that adherence to divine instruction is vital for a prosperous and wise life, aligning with the overarching theme of the book of Proverbs, which contrasts wisdom and folly. Thus, the verse calls for attentive adherence to God's law as a crucial foundation for living wisely.
This verse emphasizes the value of wisdom and instruction that the father figure imparts to the son, indicating that sound learning is a gift and should be valued. The Hebrew word for "sound learning" (לֶקַח ט֭וֹב, leqach tov) suggests that this knowledge is both beneficial and wholesome, grounding the listener in moral and ethical understanding.
Furthermore, the command "Don’t forsake my law" serves as a warning against neglecting the essential teachings that guide life. It reflects the notion that adherence to divine instruction is vital for a prosperous and wise life, aligning with the overarching theme of the book of Proverbs, which contrasts wisdom and folly. Thus, the verse calls for attentive adherence to God's law as a crucial foundation for living wisely.
Proverbs 4:3
For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
Original language
כִּי־בֵ֭ן הָיִ֣יתִי לְאָבִ֑י רַ֥ךְ וְ֝יָחִ֗יד לִפְנֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃
Cross references
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Commentary
The Hebrew word for "son" is בֵן (ben), indicating a familial relationship that conveys depth of connection and responsibility. The phrase "tender and an only child" conveys a sense of unique love and care from the parents, particularly emphasizing the father's nurturing role and the protective affection of the mother. This verse highlights the speaker's dependency and formative experiences in a loving family environment, which serve as a foundational illustration for the importance of wisdom in life. The mention of "only child" also suggests the significance of singular attention and instruction received, setting the stage for a call to pursue wisdom in the subsequent verses.
The Hebrew word for "son" is בֵן (ben), indicating a familial relationship that conveys depth of connection and responsibility. The phrase "tender and an only child" conveys a sense of unique love and care from the parents, particularly emphasizing the father's nurturing role and the protective affection of the mother.
This verse highlights the speaker's dependency and formative experiences in a loving family environment, which serve as a foundational illustration for the importance of wisdom in life. The mention of "only child" also suggests the significance of singular attention and instruction received, setting the stage for a call to pursue wisdom in the subsequent verses.
Proverbs 4:4
He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
Original language
וַיֹּרֵ֗נִי וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לִ֗י יִֽתְמָךְ־דְּבָרַ֥י לִבֶּ֑ךָ שְׁמֹ֖ר מִצְוֺתַ֣י וֽ͏ֶחְיֵֽה׃
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Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
Original language
קְנֵ֣ה חָ֭כְמָה קְנֵ֣ה בִינָ֑ה אַל־תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח וְאַל־תֵּ֝֗ט מֵֽאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃
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Proverbs 4:6
Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
Original language
אַל־תַּעַזְבֶ֥הָ וְתִשְׁמְרֶ֑ךָּ אֱהָבֶ֥הָ וְתִצְּרֶֽךָּ׃
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Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
Original language
רֵאשִׁ֣ית חָ֭כְמָה קְנֵ֣ה חָכְמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־קִ֝נְיָנְךָ֗ קְנֵ֣ה בִינָֽה׃
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Proverbs 4:8
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
Original language
סַלְסְלֶ֥הָ וּֽתְרוֹמְמֶ֑ךָּ תְּ֝כַבֵּ֗דְךָ כִּ֣י תְחַבְּקֶֽנָּה׃
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Proverbs 4:9
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”
Original language
תִּתֵּ֣ן לְ֭רֹאשְׁךָ לִוְיַת־חֵ֑ן עֲטֶ֖רֶת תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת תְּמַגְּנֶֽךָּ׃
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
In Proverbs 4:9, the imagery of a "garland of grace" (לִוְיַת־חֵן) suggests a beautiful adornment that symbolizes favor and blessing bestowed upon the one who follows wisdom. This indicates that wisdom not only enhances one's status but also enriches their character. The phrase "crown of splendor" (עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת) signifies not only honor but also a rich, glorious life as a result of embracing wisdom's teachings. This reflects the biblical understanding that receiving wisdom leads to both spiritual and practical benefits in life.
In Proverbs 4:9, the imagery of a "garland of grace" (לִוְיַת־חֵן) suggests a beautiful adornment that symbolizes favor and blessing bestowed upon the one who follows wisdom. This indicates that wisdom not only enhances one's status but also enriches their character.
The phrase "crown of splendor" (עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת) signifies not only honor but also a rich, glorious life as a result of embracing wisdom's teachings. This reflects the biblical understanding that receiving wisdom leads to both spiritual and practical benefits in life.
Proverbs 4:10
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
Original language
שְׁמַ֣ע בְּ֭נִי וְקַ֣ח אֲמָרָ֑י וְיִרְבּ֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ שְׁנ֣וֹת חַיִּֽים׃
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Commentary
No commentary
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Proverbs 4:11
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
Original language
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ חָ֭כְמָה הֹרֵתִ֑יךָ הִ֝דְרַכְתִּ֗יךָ בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־יֹֽשֶׁר׃
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Proverbs 4:12
When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
Original language
בְּֽ֭לֶכְתְּךָ לֹא־יֵצַ֣ר צַעֲדֶ֑ךָ וְאִם־תָּ֝ר֗וּץ לֹ֣א תִכָּשֵֽׁל׃
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Proverbs 4:13
Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
Original language
הַחֲזֵ֣ק בַּמּוּסָ֣ר אַל־תֶּ֑רֶף נִ֝צְּרֶ֗הָ כִּי־הִ֥יא חַיֶּֽיךָ׃
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No commentary
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Proverbs 4:14
Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
Original language
בְּאֹ֣רַח רְ֭שָׁעִים אַל־תָּבֹ֑א וְאַל־תְּ֝אַשֵּׁ֗ר בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ רָעִֽים׃
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Proverbs 4:15
Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
Original language
פְּרָעֵ֥הוּ אַל־תַּעֲבָר־בּ֑וֹ שְׂטֵ֖ה מֵעָלָ֣יו וַעֲבֽוֹר׃
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Proverbs 4:16
For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
Original language
כִּ֤י לֹ֣א יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ אִם־לֹ֣א יָרֵ֑עוּ וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה שְׁ֝נָתָ֗ם אִם־לֹ֥א יכשולו יַכְשִֽׁילוּ׃
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Proverbs 4:17
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Original language
כִּ֣י לָ֭חֲמוּ לֶ֣חֶם רֶ֑שַׁע וְיֵ֖ין חֲמָסִ֣ים יִשְׁתּֽוּ׃
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Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.
Original language
וְאֹ֣רַח צַ֭דִּיקִים כְּא֣וֹר נֹ֑גַהּ הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וָ֝א֗וֹר עַד־נְכ֥וֹן הַיּֽוֹם׃
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
The Hebrew term "אֹ֣רַח" (orach) signifies a way or path, indicating that the life of the righteous is a journey guided by divine wisdom. The imagery of "כְּא֣וֹר נֹ֑גַהּ" (ke'or nogah) suggests a light that grows progressively brighter, symbolizing the increasing clarity and joy that accompanies a life aligned with God's righteousness. Ultimately, the phrase "עַד־נְכ֥וֹן הַיּֽוֹם" (ad nechon hayom) points to the eschatological fulfillment of the righteous, culminating in the perfect day of God's kingdom, where righteousness and light prevail eternally.
The Hebrew term "אֹ֣רַח" (orach) signifies a way or path, indicating that the life of the righteous is a journey guided by divine wisdom.
The imagery of "כְּא֣וֹר נֹ֑גַהּ" (ke'or nogah) suggests a light that grows progressively brighter, symbolizing the increasing clarity and joy that accompanies a life aligned with God's righteousness.
Ultimately, the phrase "עַד־נְכ֥וֹן הַיּֽוֹם" (ad nechon hayom) points to the eschatological fulfillment of the righteous, culminating in the perfect day of God's kingdom, where righteousness and light prevail eternally.
Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
Original language
דֶּ֣רֶךְ רְ֭שָׁעִים כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑ה לֹ֥א יָ֝דְע֗וּ בַּמֶּ֥ה יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ׃
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No commentary
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Proverbs 4:20
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
Original language
בְּ֭נִי לִדְבָרַ֣י הַקְשִׁ֑יבָה לַ֝אֲמָרַ֗י הַט־אָזְנֶֽךָ׃
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Proverbs 4:21
Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
Original language
אַל־יַלִּ֥יזוּ מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ שָׁ֝מְרֵ֗ם בְּת֣וֹךְ לְבָבֶֽךָ׃
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Proverbs 4:22
For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.
Original language
כִּֽי־חַיִּ֣ים הֵ֭ם לְמֹצְאֵיהֶ֑ם וּֽלְכָל־בְּשָׂר֥וֹ מַרְפֵּֽא׃
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Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
Original language
מִֽכָּל־מִ֭שְׁמָר נְצֹ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי־מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ תּוֹצְא֥וֹת חַיִּֽים׃
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
The Hebrew word for "keep" here is נְצֹר (natzor), which conveys the idea of guarding or maintaining with vigilance. This indicates the necessity of being proactive in protecting one's heart, as it serves as the source of life's vital actions and motivations. The phrase "wellspring of life" emphasizes that the heart (לִבֶּךָ, libbekha) is fundamental to one's existence and ethical direction. The implication is that from the inner life of the heart flows all desires and intentions, reinforcing the Reformed view that genuine piety and moral integrity must originate from a transformed heart.
The Hebrew word for "keep" here is נְצֹר (natzor), which conveys the idea of guarding or maintaining with vigilance. This indicates the necessity of being proactive in protecting one's heart, as it serves as the source of life's vital actions and motivations.
The phrase "wellspring of life" emphasizes that the heart (לִבֶּךָ, libbekha) is fundamental to one's existence and ethical direction. The implication is that from the inner life of the heart flows all desires and intentions, reinforcing the Reformed view that genuine piety and moral integrity must originate from a transformed heart.
Proverbs 4:24
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
Original language
הָסֵ֣ר מִ֭מְּךָ עִקְּשׁ֣וּת פֶּ֑ה וּלְז֥וּת שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם הַרְחֵ֥ק מִמֶּֽךָּ׃
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Commentary
This verse admonishes the believer to remove harmful speech from their life. The Hebrew term for "perverse" (עִקְּשׁ֣וּת, ikshut) denotes a twisting or distortion, implying that speech can lead one away from righteousness and truth. "Corrupt lips" (שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם, sefatayim) refer to words that are deceitful or unwholesome. The command to distance oneself from such speech highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in communication, which aligns with the broader theme of wisdom in Proverbs, encouraging a lifestyle characterized by purity in thought and expression.
This verse admonishes the believer to remove harmful speech from their life. The Hebrew term for "perverse" (עִקְּשׁ֣וּת, ikshut) denotes a twisting or distortion, implying that speech can lead one away from righteousness and truth.
"Corrupt lips" (שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם, sefatayim) refer to words that are deceitful or unwholesome. The command to distance oneself from such speech highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in communication, which aligns with the broader theme of wisdom in Proverbs, encouraging a lifestyle characterized by purity in thought and expression.
Proverbs 4:25
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
Original language
עֵ֭ינֶיךָ לְנֹ֣כַח יַבִּ֑יטוּ וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃
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No commentary
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Proverbs 4:26
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
Original language
פַּ֭לֵּס מַעְגַּ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑ךָ וְֽכָל־דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ יִכֹּֽנוּ׃
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Proverbs 4:27
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
Original language
אַֽל־תֵּט־יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול הָסֵ֖ר רַגְלְךָ֣ מֵרָֽע׃
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No commentary
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