A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
Proverbs Chapter 2
Men are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches those principles by which they may obtain God's guidance and avoid the society and influence of the wicked, whose pernicious courses are described. (Pro. 2:1-22)
Diligence in hearing and praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of godliness, the fear of God.
hide . . . with thee--lay up in store (compare Pro 7:1).
Listen attentively and reflect seriously (Pro 1:24; Psa 130:2).
understanding--right perception of truth.
Yea, if--literally, "When if," that is, in such a case.
knowledge--or, "discrimination."
understanding--as in Pro 2:2.
There must be earnest prayer and effort.
understand--or, "perceive intelligently."
find--obtain.
For--God is ready (Jam 1:5; Jam 4:8).
out of his mouth--by revelation from Him.
sound wisdom--literally, "substance," opposed to what is fictitious. According to the context, this may be assistance, as here corresponding with
buckler--or safety, or wisdom, which procures it (compare Pro 3:21; Pro 8:14; Pro 18:1; Job 6:13; Job 12:13).
layeth up--provides, ever ready.
keepeth . . . way--God defends the right way, and those in it.
saints--objects of favor (compare Psa 4:3, &c.). He guides and guards them.
Then--emphatic, in such a case.
righteousness . . . path--all parts of duty to God and man.
Idea of Pro 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pro 2:2 and Pro 2:4.
To deliver--as from great danger (Pro 6:5).
way . . . man-- (Psa 1:1).
froward things--perversity (Pro 6:14; Pro 23:23), what is opposed to truth.
paths of uprightness--or, "plainness."
walk--habitually act;
and that with pleasure, in ignorance of good and pursuit of evil.
frowardness--Not only their own perversity, but that of others is their delight. They love most the worst things.
crooked--tortuous, unprincipled.
froward--literally, (they) are going back, not only aside from right, but opposite to it.
Deliverance from another danger.
the strange woman--This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jdg 11:1-2), married (Pro 7:5, Pro 7:19) or not (Kg1 11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though "strange" may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as "strange fire" (Num 3:4); "strange incense" (Exo 30:9).
flattereth--literally, "smooths."
her words-- (Psa 5:9).
guide . . . youth--lawful husband (Jer 3:4).
covenant . . . God--of marriage made in God's name.
inclineth--sinks down (compare Num 13:31).
the dead--or shades of the departed (Psa 88:10).
that is, such as remain impenitent (compare Ecc 7:26).
paths of life-- (Psa 16:11), opposed to paths unto the dead.
That . . . way of good--that is, Such is the object of these warnings.
(Compare Psa 37:3, Psa 37:9, Psa 37:22, Psa 37:27).
transgressors--or impious rebels (compare Jer 9:2).
rooted out--utterly destroyed, as trees plucked up by the roots.