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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Proverbs 4:10 - 4:10
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There is no reason for the supposition that the warning which his father gave to the poet now passes over into warnings given by the poet himself (Hitzig); the admonition of the father thus far refers only in general to the endeavour after wisdom, and we are led to expect that the good doctrines which the father communicates to the son as a viaticum will be further expanded, and become more and more specific when they take a new departure.
10 Hearken, my son, and receive my sayings,
So shall the years of life be increased to thee.
11 In the way of wisdom have I taught thee,
Guided thee in the paths of rectitude.
12 When thou goest, thy step shall not be straitened;
And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Regarding קַח (of לָקַח) of appropriating reception and taking up in succum et sanguinem, vid., Pro 1:3; regarding שְׁנוֹת חַיִּים, years not merely of the duration of life, but of the enjoyment of life, Pro 3:2; regarding מַעְגָּל (מַעְגָּלָה), path (track), Pro 2:9; regarding the בְּ of הוֹרָה, of the department and subject of instruction, Psa 25:8. The perfects, Pro 4:11, are different from נָתַתִּי, 2a: they refer to rules of life given at an earlier period, which are summarily repeated in this address. The way of wisdom is that which leads to wisdom (Job 28:23); the paths of rectitude, such as trace out the way which is in accordance with the rule of the good and the right. If the youth holds to this direction, he will not go on in darkness or uncertainty with anxious footsteps; and if in youthful fervour he flies along his course, he will not stumble on any unforeseen obstacle and fall. יָצַר is as a metaplastic fut. to צָרַר or צוּר, to be narrow, to straiten, formed as if from יָצַר. The Targ. after Aruch,
(Note: R. Nathan ben Jechiel, a.d. 1106, who is usually styled by the Jewish writers בַּעַל עָרוּךְ, Auctor Aruch, author of a Talmudical Lexicon.)
לא תשנק ארחך, thou shalt not need to bind together (constringere) or to hedge up thy way.