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Proverbs 4:1 open_in_new
children. sons.
instruction. correction, or admonition.
know understanding. learn discernment.
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Proverbs 4:3 open_in_new
son. The Hebrew accent (Dechi) emphasizes this word to show (1) his own early training (Proverbs 4:3); (2) those whom he would instruct (verses: Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 4:2); (3) his instruction (verses: Proverbs 4:5-9.)
only beloved. unique.
in the sight of my mother.. special various reading, called Sevir (App-34), reads "of my mother's sons". So in some codices, with several early printed editions.
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Proverbs 4:4 open_in_new
Keep. Take heed to.
live: i.e. live again, in resurrection life. See note on Leviticus 18:5. Earthly life could he enjoyed without keeping commandments.
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Proverbs 4:6 open_in_new
her: i.e. wisdom.
preserve. guard.
keep. protect, as one protects the apple of one's eye. See note on Proverbs 4:23.
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Proverbs 4:7 open_in_new
Wisdom... wisdom. Hebrew in four words, "Beginning wisdom get wisdom". as the principal thing, get wisdom.
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Proverbs 4:8 open_in_new
when. because. Hebrew. ki.
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Proverbs 4:9 open_in_new
A crown. A diadem.
glory. beauty: i.e.. beautiful diadem.
deliver. deliver fully and freely. Hebrew. magan (a rare word). Occurs only in Genesis 14:20, here, and Hosea 11:8.
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Proverbs 4:10 open_in_new
my son. See note on Proverbs 1:8.
sayings. Hebrew. imrah. See App-73.
the years of thy life shall be many. [my sayings] shall grow greater [through] the years of thy life. The verb denotes increase of size, not merely numbers. See notes on Proverbs 3:2; Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 10:27. The verb here is masculine, but "years of life" is feminine. The verb therefore refers to "sayings".
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Proverbs 4:11 open_in_new
taught. directed.
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Proverbs 4:12 open_in_new
When thou goest: or, as thou walkest; i.e. however hedged in our path seems, it opens out as we go forward.
when thou runnest. if thou runnest. To walk is obligatory; to run is optional.
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Proverbs 4:13 open_in_new
Take fast hold. The Hiphils of this clause are emphatic.
let her not go. do not let her go.
she. she herself. Emphatic.
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Proverbs 4:14 open_in_new
Enter not. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia (App-6) in the verbs of verses: Proverbs 4:14; Proverbs 4:15. Illustrations: Lot (Genesis 13:10-13); Solomon (2 Kings 23:13. Compare with 1 Kings 11:5); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Chronicles 21:6. Compare with 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 22:2 2 Chronicles 22:3, 2 Chronicles 22:10, and Proverbs 6:27; Proverbs 6:28).
wicked. lawless. Hebrew. rasha. App-44.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44.
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Proverbs 4:15 open_in_new
Avoid. let that go; referring to Proverbs 4:14. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia. App-6.
away. on.
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Proverbs 4:16 open_in_new
For. Hebrew. im l'o. because; i.e. the reason why they sleep not is because they mean mischief, and because they intend an occasion of stumbling.
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Proverbs 4:17 open_in_new
bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part) for food in general.
of. obtained. Genitive of Origin. App-17 (2).
wickedness. lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44.
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.
of violence. obtained by violence. Genitive of Origin. App-17 (2).
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Proverbs 4:18 open_in_new
But. Marking the contrast between the growth of wickedness (verses: Proverbs 4:16; Proverbs 4:17), and the growth of wisdom leading in right paths (verses: Proverbs 4:11; Proverbs 4:12).
the shining light. the dawning of day: advancing and brightening till noon.
perfect. stable part, when the sun seems stationary on the meridian. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 49:10; Genesis 49:18; Hebrews 11:21); Nathanael (John 1:46-51); Eunuch (Acts 8:27-39).
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Proverbs 4:19 open_in_new
way of the wicked. Illustrations: Korah (Numbers 16:16-19); Ahab (1 Kings 16:31); Babylon (Isaiah 47:11); Jews (Jeremiah 5:19; Jeremiah 5:25; Jeremiah 44:15-23.Ezekiel 18:29; Acts 28:25; Acts 28:26).
as. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "in".
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Proverbs 4:20 open_in_new
words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73.
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Proverbs 4:21 open_in_new
depart. get away from.
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Proverbs 4:22 open_in_new
health. healing.
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Proverbs 4:23 open_in_new
Keep... with all diligence. Above all that must be guarded. The preposition. (hebrew character) marks the place or person that keeps: the meaning being, guard the heart as the great citadel, for out of it are the source and outgoings of life. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 6:13. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 4:21.
froward. See notes on Proverbs 2:12 and Proverbs 6:12, the only other examples of frowardness of mouth.
(23-27) Note the Alternation in these verses. Positive. Heart. Negative. Mouth. Positive. Eyes. 27. Negative. Feet.
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Proverbs 4:26 open_in_new
Ponder the path, &c. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 24:1-9. See note on Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 3:6); Eleazar (Genesis 24:5); Joshua (Proverbs 24:15); Ruth (Proverbs 1:16-18); David (Psalms 39:1); Hezekiah (Psalms 119:50); The good wife (Proverbs 31:27); Daniel (Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:3; Proverbs 6:4); contrast Asa (2 Chronicles 16:1-9). 2Ch 5:1-23 (B p. 865). THE FOREIGN WOMAN.