Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Proverbs-Chapter 3

Prov 3.1-35 tells us about the rewards of wisdom, which is knowing what to do when you have an understanding of Torah facts.

Prov 3.1-12 teaches us to walk in righteousness as defined by the Torah and to walk humbly in it.

v 1…My son, forget not my teaching (Torah), but let your heart (desires) keep my commandments (mitzvot; good works).

v 2…For length of days and years of life and peace shall they add to thee (there is a benefit to walking in the commandments).

v 3…Do not let kindness and truth leave you (be a part of your morals); bind them (like a necklace) around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (on your inward desires).

v 4…So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man (what’s inside will come out).

v 5…Trust in Yehovah with all your heart your (desire should lean on him for support), and do not lean on your own understanding (only Yehovah’s).

v 6… In all your ways acknowledge him (ask his counsel), and he will make your paths straight (upright, smooth).

v 7…Do not be wise in your own eyes (and act independently from Yehovah); fear (have a reverence for) Yehovah and turn away from evil (wickedness).

v 8…It will be healing to your body, and refreshment (moisture) to your bones.

v 9…Honor Yehovah from your wealth (possessions) and from the first (beginning) of all your produce.

v 10…So your barns will be filled with plenty (as a blessing from God) and your vats will overflow (burst forth) with new wine.

v 11…My son, do not reject the discipline (chastening) of Yehovah, or loathe his reproof (detest it).

v 12…For whom Yehovah loves he reproves (it is a sign of his love), even as a father, the son in whom he delights (clearly loves).

Prov 3.13-26 tells us about the benefits of the wisdom found in the Torah.

v 13…How blessed (empowered to succeed) is the man who finds wisdom (obtains it) and the man who gains understanding (understanding is “binah” and it is a comprehension of the difference between good and evil; digs it up, works to find it).

v 14…For its profit (merchandise) is better that the profit (merchandise) of silver (or any material gain) and its gain than fine gold.

v 15…She (wisdom is personified in Prov 5.3-23, 6.24-25, 7.1-27 and is seen as the virtuous woman, in contrast to the harlot) is more precious than jewels (costly gems); and nothing you desire compares with her (it surpasses it all-Job 28.18).

v 16…Long life is in her right hand (as a reward); in her left hand are riches and honor (esteem).

v 17…Her ways are pleasant (nothing disagreeable) ways and her paths are peace.

v 18…She (wisdom of the Torah) is a tree of life (etz chaim-Rev 22.2; Hos 4.6; John 14.6) to those who take hold of her (a Torah scroll is wrapped around two wooden spindles called the “Tree of Life”), and happy are they who hold her fast (retain her).

v 19…Yehovah by wisdom (chachmah-inspired intellect and knowing what to do with it all) founded the earth (creation showed his wisdom); by understanding (binah-comprehension) he established the heavens (made it just right to sustain life on earth).

v 20…By his knowledge (da’at-of the facts) the deeps (tehomot or subterranean deep) were broken up (this alludes to the flood of Noah when the water under the earth came knifing upward. God knew that this judgment was necessary and he knew how to do it. The massive changes after the flood set up our water cycle that creates dew, etc), and the skies drip with dew (or “tal”).

v 21…My son, let them (the words of teaching) not depart from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion (wisdom applied correctly close to you).

v 22..So they will be life to your soul (spirit, mind, heart), and adornment (jewelry) to your neck (like a necklace in a metaphorical sense).

v 23…Then you will walk in your way securely (safely, free from fear), and your foot will not stumble (over an obstacle from the enemy trying to stop you).

v 24…When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet (no distractions, fears or haunting thoughts).

v 25…Do not be afraid of sudden fear (anxiety), nor of the onslaught (storms) of the wicked (rashim) when it comes (not “if” but “when”).

v 26…For Yehovah will be at your confidence (at your side), and will keep your foot from being caught (taken in a snare because the righteous walk in the right path led by Yehovah).

Prov 3.27-35 is a set of warnings against wickedness and not walking in God’s wisdom.

v 27…Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due (by withholding their pay, or a widow in need, etc), when it is in your power to do it.

v 28…Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.

v 29…Do not devise (plow up, dig up) harm against your neighbor, while he lives in security beside you (doesn’t suspect anything).

v 30…Do not contend with a man without a cause (have a foundation for it), if he has done you no harm (through fraud, real hurt or keeps what belongs to you).

v 31…Do not envy a man of violence (a person who gains riches of fame, by injustice, violence or oppression), and do not choose any of his ways (in order to be successful).

v 32…For the crooked man is an abomination to Yehovah (he abhors them) but he is intimate (this word is “sowd” meaning hidden meaning, secret counsel or in this case an intimate association) with the upright.

v 33…The curse of Yehovah (empowered to fail) is on the house of the wicked (even though it looks like they are prosperous on the outside), but he blesses (empowers to succeed) the dwelling of the righteous.

v 34…Though he scoffs (scorns) at the scoffers, yet he gives grace to the afflicted.

v 35…The wise will inherit honor (kavod), but fools (kesilim-the hardened fool that takes pleasure in bringing grief) display (promote) dishonor.

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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