Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Proverbs-Chapter 4

Prov 4.1-27 is a father’s instruction about the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked.

Prov 4.1-13 is about wisdom and her benefits. Keep in mind that wisdom is seen as the virtuous woman, and wickedness is seen as the harlot who goes around portraying herself as the virtuous woman.

v 1…Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father (who had the experience to show them), and give attention that you may gain understanding (binah/understanding).

v 2…For I give you sound (good) teaching (Torah-based); do not abandon my instruction (1 Tim 3.16-17).

v 3…When I was a son to my father (David), tender and only son in the sight of my mother (the one his mother Bathsheba gave most of her attention to-1 Chr 3.5).

v 4…Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words (to follow them at all times); keep my commandments and live (his commandments were based on the Torah).

v 5…Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding (sum total of what he taught)! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth (once wisdom is gained it can be lost, so don’t turn away).

v 6…Do not forsake her and she will guard you (against evil); love her and she will watch over you (wisdom is personified here, and is seen as the virtuous woman who will reward those who pursue and obtain wisdom).

v 7…The beginning of wisdom (the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong) is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding (binah: the ability to comprehend how to use the wisdom).

v 8…Prize her (as valuable) and she will exalt you (promote you); she will honor you if you embrace her (as the virtuous wife of Prov 31).

v 9…She will place on your head a garland (ornament) of grace; she will present you with a crown (diadem) of beauty (tiferet).

v 10…Hear my son, and accept my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.

v 11…I have directed you in the way of wisdom (the way of conduct that is in agreement with the Torah); I have led you in upright paths.

v 12…When you walk, your steps will not be impeded (hindered by obstacles); and if you run, you will not stumble (plenty of room to move).

v 13…Take hold of instruction (correction), do not let it go. Guard her, for she is your life (Torah is a life and death matter-Deut 30.6).

Prov 4.14-27 is telling us to keep away from the harlot.

v 14…Do not enter the path of the wicked (rashim), and do not proceed in the way of evil men (their behavior is not consistent with the path of the virtuous woman).

v 15…Avoid it, do not pass by it (reject it); turn away from it and pass on (if you foolishly enter it).

v 16…For they (wicked) cannot sleep unless they do evil (they are committed to it); and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble (draw others into sin).

v 17…For they eat the bread of wickedness (it is like food to them, they hunger for it) and drink the wine of violence (it is like drink to them).

v 18…But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter (by the minute) until the full day.

v 19…The way of the wicked is like darkness (no understanding-Isa 8.20); they do not know over what they stumble.

v 20…My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings (don’t ignore them).

v 21…Do not let them depart from your sight (write them down so you can read them anytime); keep them in the midst of your heart (your desires; meditate, speak and think about them).

v 22…For they are life (to revive) to those who find (cause to come forth) them and health (a medicine, a cure or remedy) to all his flesh.

v 23…Watch over your heart (desires, thoughts, intentions) with all diligence, for from it flow the springs (actions) of life (life or death proceeds from it-Matt 12.34, 15.18-19).

v 24…Put away from you a deceitful mouth (anything untrue, etc), and put devious lips far from you (so far away you can’t make use of them).

v 25…Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your eyelids (your gaze) be fixed straight in front of you (not to the right or left; not distracted-Luke 9.62).

v 26…Watch the path of your feet (look where you are going), and all your ways will be established (be steady).

v 27…Do not turn to the right nor to the left (off the path of the Torah); turn your foot from evil (as defined by the Torah).

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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