Discovery BoxJob 28:28
Context28:28 And he said to mankind,
‘The fear of the Lord 1 – that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” 2
Proverbs 2:2-6
Context2:2 by making 3 your ear 4 attentive to wisdom,
and 5 by turning 6 your heart 7 to understanding,
2:3 indeed, if 8 you call out for 9 discernment 10 –
raise your voice 11 for understanding –
2:4 if 12 you seek 13 it like silver, 14
and search for it 15 like hidden treasure,
2:5 then you will understand 16 how to fear the Lord, 17
and you will discover 18 knowledge 19 about God. 20
2:6 For 21 the Lord gives 22 wisdom,
and from his mouth 23 comes 24 knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3:13-18
Context3:13 Blessed 25 is the one 26 who finds 27 wisdom,
and the one who obtains 28 understanding.
3:14 For her 29 benefit 30 is more profitable 31 than silver,
and her 32 gain 33 is better 34 than gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies,
and none of the things 35 you desire 36 can compare 37 with her. 38
3:16 Long life 39 is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17 Her ways are very pleasant, 40
and all her paths are peaceful.
3:18 She is like 41 a tree of life 42 to those who obtain her, 43
and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed. 44
Proverbs 4:5
Context4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. 45
Proverbs 4:7
Context4:7 Wisdom is supreme 46 – so 47 acquire wisdom,
and whatever you acquire, 48 acquire understanding! 49
Proverbs 7:1-4
Context7:1 My child, 51 keep my words
and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. 52
7:2 Keep my commands 53 so that you may live, 54
and obey 55 my instruction as your most prized possession. 56
7:3 Bind them on your forearm; 57
write them on the tablet of your heart. 58
7:4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” 59
and call understanding a close relative,
Proverbs 8:32-36
Context8:32 “So now, children, 60 listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33 Listen to my instruction 61 so that you may be wise, 62
and do not neglect it.
8:34 Blessed is the one 63 who listens to me,
watching 64 at my doors day by day,
waiting 65 beside my doorway. 66
8:35 For the one who finds me finds 67 life
and receives 68 favor from the Lord.
8:36 But the one who does not find me 69 brings harm 70 to himself; 71
all who hate me 72 love death.”
Proverbs 16:16
Context16:16 How much better it is to acquire 73 wisdom than gold;
to acquire understanding is more desirable 74 than silver.
Proverbs 18:1-2
Context18:1 One who has isolated himself 75 seeks his own desires; 76
he rejects 77 all sound judgment.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure 78 in understanding
but only in disclosing 79 what is on his mind. 80
Proverbs 22:17
Context22:17 Incline your ear 82 and listen to the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my instruction. 83
Proverbs 23:12
Context23:12 Apply 84 your heart to instruction
and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:23
Context23:23 Acquire 85 truth and do not sell it –
wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.
[28:28] 1 tc A number of medieval Hebrew manuscripts have YHWH (“
[28:28] 2 tc Many commentators delete this verse because (1) many read the divine name Yahweh (translated “
[2:2] 3 tn The Hiphil infinitive construct לְהַקְשִׁיב (lÿhaqshiv, “by making attentive”) functions as an epexegetical explanation of how one will receive the instruction.
[2:2] 4 sn The word “ear” is a metonymy of cause; the word is used as the instrument of hearing. But in parallelism with “heart” it indicates one aspect of the mental process of hearing and understanding. A “hearing ear” describes an obedient or responsive person (BDB 24 s.v. אֹזֶן 2).
[2:2] 5 tn The conjunction “and” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.
[2:2] 6 tn The Hiphil imperfect (“by turning”) continues the nuance introduced by the infinitive construct in the first colon (GKC 352 §114.r). The verb נָטָה (natah) normally means “to stretch out” and only occasionally “to turn” or “to incline” one’s heart to something, as is the case here.
[2:2] 7 tn Or “mind” (the center of the will, the choice).
[2:3] 8 tn Both particles retain their individual meanings, otherwise the verse would begin with a strong adversative and be a contrast to what has been said.
[2:3] 10 sn The noun recalls the second purpose of the book (1:2). It is also cognate to the last word of 2:2, forming a transition. The two objects of the prepositions in this verse are actually personifications, as if they could be summoned.
[2:3] 11 tn Heb “give your voice”; the expression is idiomatic for raising or lifting the voice to make a sound that carries further (e.g., Jer 2:15). This deliberate expression indicates that something significant is being uttered. J. H. Greenstone says, “If it [understanding] does not come at your first call, raise your voice to a higher pitch, put forth greater efforts” (Proverbs, 17).
[2:4] 12 tn The conditional particle now reiterates the initial conditional clause of this introductory section (1-4); the apodosis will follow in v. 5.
[2:4] 13 tn The verb בָּקַשׁ (baqash) means “to search for; to seek; to investigate” (BDB 134 s.v.). This calls for the same diligence one would have in looking for silver.
[2:4] 14 sn The two similes affirm that the value placed on the object will influence the eagerness and diligence in the pursuit and development of wisdom (e.g., Job 28:9-11). The point is not only that the object sought is valuable, but that the effort will be demanding but rewarding.
[2:4] 15 sn The verb חָפַשׂ (khafas) means “to dig; to search” (BDB 344 s.v.; cf. NCV “hunt for it”). The Arabic cognate means “to dig for water.” It is used literally of Joseph searching his brothers’ sacks (Gen 44:12) and figuratively for searching the soul (Ps 64:7). This is a more emphatic word than the one used in the first colon and again emphasizes that acquiring wisdom will be demanding.
[2:5] 16 tn The verb בִּין (bin, “to perceive; to understand; to discern”) refers to ability to grasp, discern or be sensitive to what it means to fear the
[2:5] 17 tn Heb “the fear of the
[2:5] 18 tn Heb “find” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV).
[2:5] 19 tn The term דַּעַת (da’at, “knowledge”) goes beyond cognition; it is often used metonymically (cause) for obedience (effect); see, e.g., Prov 3:6, “in all your ways acknowledge him,” and BDB 395 s.v. This means that the disciple will follow God’s moral code; for to know God is to react ethically and spiritually to his will (e.g., J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 18).
[2:5] 20 tn Heb “knowledge of God.” The noun is an objective genitive.
[2:6] 21 tn This is a causal clause. The reason one must fear and know the
[2:6] 22 tn The verb is an imperfect tense which probably functions as a habitual imperfect describing a universal truth in the past, present and future.
[2:6] 23 sn This expression is an anthropomorphism; it indicates that the
[2:6] 24 tn The verb “comes” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.
[3:13] 25 tn Although the word אַשְׁרֵי (’ashre, “blessed”) is frequently translated “happy” here (so KJV, ASV, NAB, NCV, NRSV, TEV, NLT), such a translation can be somewhat misleading because the word means more than that – “happiness” depends on one’s circumstances. This word reflects that inner joy and heavenly bliss which comes to the person who is pleasing to God, whose way is right before God.
[3:13] 26 tn Heb “the man” (also again in the following line).
[3:13] 27 tn The perfect tense verb may be classified as a characteristic or gnomic perfect, as the parallel imperfect tense verb suggests (see note on v. 13b).
[3:13] 28 tn The imperfect tense verb may be classified as a progressive or habitual imperfect.
[3:14] 29 tn Heb “her profit.” The 3rd person feminine singular suffix on the noun is probably a genitive of source: “from her.”
[3:14] 30 tn Heb “profit.” The noun סַחַר (sakhar, “trading profit”) often refers to the financial profit of traveling merchants (Isa 23:3, 18; 45:14; HALOT 750 s.v.). The related participle describes a traveling “trader, dealer, wholesaler, merchant” (e.g., Gen 37:28; Prov 31:14; Isa 23:2; Ezek 27:36; HALOT 750 s.v. סחר qal.2). Here the noun is used figuratively to describe the moral benefit of wisdom.
[3:14] 31 tn The noun סַחַר (“profit”) is repeated in this line for emphasis. The two usages draw upon slightly different nuances, creating a polysemantic wordplay. The moral “benefit” of wisdom is more “profitable” than silver.
[3:14] 32 tn Heb “her yield.” The 3rd person feminine singular suffix on the noun is probably a genitive of source: “from her.”
[3:14] 33 tn Heb “yield.” The noun תְּבוּאָה (tÿvu’ah, “product; yield”) is normally used of crops and harvests (BDB 100 s.v. 1). Here it is figurative for the moral benefit of wisdom (BDB 100 s.v. 2.b).
[3:14] 34 tn The phrase “is better” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the parallelism; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.
[3:15] 35 tn Heb “all of your desires cannot compare with her.”
[3:15] 36 tn Heb “your desires.” The 2nd person masculine singular suffix on the noun probably functions as subjective genitive.
[3:15] 37 tn The imperfect tense verb יָסַד (yasad, “to establish be like; to resemble”) has a potential nuance here: “can be compared with.”
[3:15] 38 tn Heb “All of your desires do not compare with her.”
[3:16] 39 tn Heb “length of days” (so KJV, ASV).
[3:17] 40 tn Heb “her ways are ways of pleasantness” (so KJV, NRSV). The present translation contracts this expression for the sake of smoothness. The plural of דֶרֶךְ (derekh, “way”) is repeated for emphasis. The noun נֹעַם (no’am, “pleasantness”) functions as an attributive genitive: “pleasant ways.”
[3:18] 41 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
[3:18] 42 sn The metaphor compares wisdom to the symbol of vitality and fullness of life. This might be an allusion to Gen 3:22, suggesting that what was lost as a result of the Fall may be recovered through wisdom: long and beneficial life (R. Marcus, “The Tree of Life in Proverbs,” JBL 62 [1943]: 117-20).
[3:18] 43 tn Heb “lay hold of her.”
[3:18] 44 tn The singular participle מְאֻשָּׁר (mÿ’ushar, literally, “he will be blessed”) functions as a distributive singular for a plural subject (GKC 464 §145.l): “each and everyone will be blessed.” Not recognizing this point of syntax, the BHS editors unnecessarily suggest emending this singular form to the plural.
[4:5] 45 tn Heb “from the words of my mouth” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV); TEV, CEV “what I say.”
[4:7] 46 tn The absolute and construct state of רֵאשִׁית (re’shit) are identical (BDB 912 s.v.). Some treat רֵאשִׁית חָכְמָה (re’shit khokhmah) as a genitive-construct phrase: “the beginning of wisdom” (cf. NAB, NASB, NRSV). Others take רֵאשִׁית as an absolute functioning as predicate and חָכְמָה as the subject: “wisdom is the first/chief thing” (cf. KJV, ASV). The context here suggests the predicate.
[4:7] 47 tn The term “so” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness and style.
[4:7] 48 tn The noun קִנְיָן (qinyan) means “thing got or acquired; acquisition” (BDB 889 s.v.). With the preposition that denotes price, it means “with (or at the price of) all that you have acquired.” The point is that no price is too high for wisdom – give everything for it (K&D 16:108).
[4:7] 49 tc The verse is not in the LXX; some textual critics delete the verse as an impossible gloss that interrupts vv. 6 and 8 (e.g., C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 88).
[7:1] 50 sn The chapter begins with the important teaching of the father (1-5), then it focuses on the seduction: first of the victim (6-9), then the temptress (10-12), then the seduction (13-20), and the capitulation (21-23); the chapter concludes with the deadly results of consorting (24-27).
[7:1] 52 tn Heb “within you” (so NASB, NIV); KJV, ASV, NRSV “with you.” BDB 860 s.v. צָפַן Qal.1 suggests that “within you” means “in your own keeping.”
[7:2] 53 tc Before v. 2 the LXX inserts: “My son, fear the
[7:2] 54 tn The construction of an imperative with the vav (ו) of sequence after another imperative denotes a logical sequence of purpose or result: “that you may live,” or “and you will live.”
[7:2] 55 tn The term “obey” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the parallelism; it is supplied for the sake of clarity and smoothness. Some English versions, in light of the second line of v. 1, supply “guard” (e.g., NIV, NCV, NLT).
[7:2] 56 tn Heb “the little man in your eye.” Traditionally this Hebrew idiom is translated into English as “the apple of your eye” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV); a more contemporary rendering would be “as your most prized possession.” The word for “man” has the diminutive ending on it. It refers to the pupil, where the object focused on – a man – is reflected in miniature. The point is that the teaching must be the central focus of the disciple’s vision and attention.
[7:3] 57 tn Heb “fingers” (so KJV and many other English versions). In light of Deut 6:8, “fingers” appears to be a metonymy for the lower part of the arm.
[7:3] 58 sn This is an allusion to Deut 6:8. Binding the teachings on the fingers and writing them on the tablets here are implied comparisons for preserving the teaching in memory so that it can be recalled and used with ease.
[7:4] 59 sn The metaphor is meant to signify that the disciple will be closely related to and familiar with wisdom and understanding, as close as to a sibling. Wisdom will be personified in the next two chapters, and so referring to it as a sister in this chapter certainly prepares for that personification.
[8:33] 61 tn Heb “discipline.”
[8:33] 62 tn The construction uses two imperatives joined with the vav (ו); this is a volitive sequence in which result or consequence is being expressed.
[8:34] 64 tn The form לִשְׁקֹד (lishqod) is the infinitive construct serving epexegetically in the sentence. It explains how the person will listen to wisdom.
[8:34] 65 tn Heb “keeping” or “guarding.”
[8:34] 66 tn Heb “at the posts of my doors” (so KJV, ASV).
[8:35] 67 tc The Kethib reads plurals: “those who find me are finders of life”; this is reflected in the LXX and Syriac. But the Qere is singular: “whoever finds me finds life.” The Qere is generally favored as the original reading in such cases as these.
[8:35] 68 tn The preterite with vav (ו) consecutive carries the same nuance as the perfect tense that came before it, setting out the timeless principle.
[8:36] 69 tn Heb “the one sinning [against] me.” The verb חָטָא (khata’, “to sin”) forms a contrast with “find” in the previous verse, and so has its basic meaning of “failing to find, miss.” So it is talking about the one who misses wisdom, as opposed to the one who finds it.
[8:36] 70 tn The Qal active participle functions verbally here. The word stresses both social and physical harm and violence.
[8:36] 72 tn The basic idea of the verb שָׂנֵא (sane’, “to hate”) is that of rejection. Its antonym is also used in the line, “love,” which has the idea of choosing. So not choosing (i.e., hating) wisdom amounts to choosing (i.e., loving) death.
[16:16] 73 tn The form קְנֹה (qÿnoh) is an infinitive; the Greek version apparently took it as a participle, and the Latin as an imperative – both working with an unpointed קנה, the letter ה (he) being unexpected in the form if it is an infinitive construct (the parallel clause has קְנוֹת [qÿnot] for the infinitive, but the ancient versions also translate that as either a participle or an imperative).
[16:16] 74 tn The form is a Niphal participle, masculine singular. If it is modifying “understanding” it should be a feminine form. If it is to be translated, it would have to be rendered “and to acquire understanding is to be chosen more than silver” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB). Many commentaries consider it superfluous. NIV and NCV simply have “to choose understanding rather than silver!”
[18:1] 75 tn The Niphal participle functions substantively and has a reflexive nuance: “one who has separated himself” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB). He is not merely anti-social; he is a problem for society since he will defy sound judgment. The Mishnah uses the verse to teach the necessity of being part of a community because people have social responsibilities and need each other (m. Avot 2:4).
[18:1] 76 tc The MT has “seeks [his own] desire[s].” The translation in the LXX represents a Hebrew Vorlage of לְתֹאֲנָה (lÿto’anah) instead of לְתַאֲוָה (lÿta’avah); this could be translated “seeks his own occasion,” that is, “his own pretext” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 354; cf. NAB). The MT makes sense as it stands and the emendation is not really necessary.
[18:1] 77 tn Heb “breaks out”; NRSV “showing contempt for”; NLT “snarling at.” This individual breaks out in contention against sound judgment. He is in opposition to society (e.g., Prov 17:14; 20:3).
[18:2] 78 sn This expression forms an understatement (tapeinosis); the opposite is the point – he detests understanding or discernment.
[18:2] 79 tn The Hitpael infinitive construct בְּהִתְגַּלּוֹת (bÿhitgalot) functions nominally as the object of the preposition. The term means “reveal, uncover, betray.” So the fool takes pleasure “in uncovering” his heart.
[18:2] 80 tn Heb “his heart.” This is a metonymy meaning “what is on his mind” (cf. NAB “displaying what he thinks”; NRSV “expressing personal opinion”). This kind of person is in love with his own ideas and enjoys spewing them out (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 515). It is the kind of person who would ask a question, not to learn, but to show everyone how clever he is (cf. TEV).
[22:17] 81 sn A new collection of sayings begins here, forming the fourth section of the book of Proverbs. This collection is not like that of 1:1–9:18; here the introductory material is more personal than 1:1-7, and the style differs, showing great similarity to the Instruction of Amenemope in Egypt (especially the thirty precepts of the sages in 22:17–24:22). Verses 17-21 form the introduction, and then the sayings begin in v. 22. After the thirty sayings are given, there are further sayings in 24:23-34. There is much literature on this material: see W. K. Simpson, ed., Literature of Ancient Egypt; ANET 412-425; and A. Cody, “Notes on Proverbs 22:21 and 22:23b,” Bib 61 (1980): 418-26.
[22:17] 82 sn To “incline the ear” means to “listen carefully” (cf. NCV); the expression is metonymical in that the ear is the instrument for hearing. It is like telling someone to lean over to hear better.
[22:17] 83 tn Heb “knowledge” (so KJV, NASB); in this context it refers to the knowledge that is spoken by the wise, hence “instruction.”
[23:12] 84 tn Heb “bring.” The Hiphil imperative “come; enter” means “to apply the heart,” to use the heart or mind in the process. The same would be true in the second half: “to bring the ears” would mean to listen very carefully. Cf. TEV “Pay attention.”
[23:23] 85 tn Heb “buy” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NLT); CEV “Invest in truth.”
