Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Proverbs 2

The Book of Proverbs

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

CHAPTER 2

      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 Pro 7:1 ).

      2. Listen attentively and reflect seriously ( Pro 1:24 Psa 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 Pro 2:2.

      4. There must be earnest prayer and effort.

      5. understand--or, "perceive intelligently."
      find--obtain.

      6. For--God is ready ( Jam 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 Pro 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 Psa 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 Pro 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pro 2:2.

      12-15. To deliver--as from great danger ( Pro 6:5 ).
      way. . . man-- ( Psa 1:1 ).
      froward things--perversity ( Pro 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 ( Jdg 11:1, 2 ), married ( Pro 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" ( Num 3:4 ); "strange incense" ( Exd 30:9 ).
      flattereth--literally, "smooths."
      her words-- ( Psa 5:9 ).

      17. guide. . . youth--lawful husband ( Jer 3:4 ).
      covenant. . . God--of marriage made in God's name.

      18. inclineth--sinks down (compare Num 13:31 ).
      the dead--or shades of the departed ( Psa 88:10 ).

      19. that is, such as remain impenitent (compare Ecc 7:26 ).
      paths of life-- ( Psa 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 Psa 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.