12 When thou goest, H3212 thy steps H6806 shall not be straitened; H3334 and when thou runnest, H7323 thou shalt not stumble. H3782
Then shalt thou walk H3212 in thy way H1870 safely, H983 and thy foot H7272 shall not stumble. H5062
Thou hast enlarged H7337 my steps H6806 under me, that my feet H7166 did not slip. H4571
The steps H6806 of his strength H202 shall be straitened, H3334 and his own counsel H6098 shall cast him down. H7993 For he is cast H7971 into a net H7568 by his own feet, H7272 and he walketh H1980 upon a snare. H7639
The way H1870 of the wicked H7563 is as darkness: H653 they know H3045 not at what they stumble. H3782
When thou goest, H1980 it shall lead H5148 thee; when thou sleepest, H7901 it shall keep H8104 thee; and when thou awakest, H6974 it shall talk H7878 with thee.
They shall come H935 with weeping, H1065 and with supplications H8469 will I lead H2986 them: I will cause them to walk H3212 by the rivers H5158 of waters H4325 in a straight H3477 way, H1870 wherein they shall not stumble: H3782 for I am a father H1 to Israel, H3478 and Ephraim H669 is my firstborn. H1060
Jesus G2424 answered, G611 Are there G1526 not G3780 twelve G1427 hours G5610 in the day? G2250 If G1437 any man G5100 walk G4043 in G1722 the day, G2250 he stumbleth G4350 not, G3756 because G3754 he seeth G991 the light G5457 of this G5127 world. G2889 But G1161 if G1437 a man G5100 walk G4043 in G1722 the night, G3571 he stumbleth, G4350 because G3754 there is G2076 no G3756 light G5457 in G1722 him. G846
Wherefore? G1302 Because G3754 they sought it not G3756 by G1537 faith, G4102 but G235 as G5613 it were by G1537 the works G2041 of the law. G3551 For G1063 they stumbled G4350 at that stumblingstone; G3037 G4348 As G2531 it is written, G1125 Behold, G2400 I lay G5087 in G1722 Sion G4622 a stumblingstone G3037 G4348 and G2532 rock G4073 of offence: G4625 and G2532 whosoever G3956 believeth G4100 on G1909 him G846 shall G2617 not G3756 be ashamed. G2617
He that loveth G25 his G846 brother G80 abideth G3306 in G1722 the light, G5457 and G2532 there is G2076 none G3756 occasion of stumbling G4625 in G1722 him. G846 But G1161 he that hateth G3404 his G846 brother G80 is G2076 in G1722 darkness, G4653 and G2532 walketh G4043 in G1722 darkness, G4653 and G2532 knoweth G1492 not G3756 whither G4226 he goeth, G5217 because G3754 that darkness G4653 hath blinded G5186 his G846 eyes. G3788
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 4
Commentary on Proverbs 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 1:8).
to know—in order to know.
doctrine—the matter of learning (Pr 1:5), such as he had received (La 3:1).
3. father's son—emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by
only beloved—or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).
4. He taught—or directed me.
retain—as well as receive.
keep … and live—observe, that you may live (Pr 7:2).
5. Get—as a possession not to be given up.
neither decline—that is, from obeying my word.
6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.
7. (Compare Job 28:28).
getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.
8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.
embrace her—with fond affection.
9. ornament—such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.
deliver—(Compare Ge 14:20). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare Pr 4:6).
10. (Compare Pr 2:1; 3:2).
11, 12. way of wisdom—which it prescribes.
led thee—literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path (Ps 107:7).
not be straitened—have ample room (Ps 18:36).
13. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.
14. (Compare Ps 1:1). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.
16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pr 6:4; Ps 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pr 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; 34:7).
18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.
20-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).
22. health … flesh—by preserving from vices destructive of health.
23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Mt 12:35; 15:19).
24. a froward mouth—that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Pr 2:15; 3:32).
perverse—or, "quarreling."
lips—or, "words."
25. Let … before thee—that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder—Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.
27. (Compare Pr 4:25). Avoid all by-paths of evil (De 2:27; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.