Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 2:20
That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men], and keep the paths of the righteous.
20. that thou mayest &c.] The construction is still dependent on Pro 2:10-11. The punctuation should be throughout as in R.V., with no full stops as in A.V.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The previous picture of shame and sin is brought before the disciple as an incentive to a better course.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 2:20
Walk in the way of good men.
The true way of walking
Here is the general application of the counsels of the chapter for the good that will come to those that avoid the society of evil men and women.
I. Men cannot walk in good ways unless they leave the bad ones. Because good and evil being contraries, the one will keep out the other: as cold keeps out heat, and heat cold. Evil thoughts keep out all thoughts of good.
II. It is not enough to avoid evil, we must actually do good. Because forsaking evil is but a foundation for a greater building, and no man can dwell on a foundation.
III. One chief and principal end of wisdom is well-doing. No blessing attends on mere knowing. A curse follows upon knowledge without practice.
IV. It is safer to imitate good men than bad. Because the way of good men is better, and their end is better. V good example sometimes prevails to draw others to piety. Because shame is taken away by good examples going before. And fear also is taken away. We should follow the choicest examples Of goodness. Why shouldest thou not rather follow the example of Abraham, Job, Joseph, David, than of Ishmael, Esau, and other profane persons? Sheep will not follow wolves, but they will follow one another. So do thou follow good men to heaven, rather than bad men to hell. (Francis Taylor.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. That thou mayest mark] Therefore thou shalt walk.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This depends upon Pro 2:11, and is mentioned as another happy fruit of wisdom, the former being declared from Pro 2:12 to this verse.
Walk in the way of good men; follow the counsels and examples of the godly; whereby he intimates that it is not sufficient to abstain from evil company and practices, but that we must choose the conversation of good men.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. That . . . way of goodthatis, Such is the object of these warnings.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men],…. Who are not so by nature, but made so by the grace of God; such as the saints, prophets, and patriarchs of old; and who walked in the way of righteousness, holiness, and truth; being directed therein by the Spirit and word of God: now the use and profit of wisdom’s instructions, or of the Gospel of Christ, and the doctrines of it, and a spiritual understanding of them, are not only to deliver men from the wicked man and the naughty woman, but also to influence and engage them to follow the examples of good men, and to walk in the same good old paths as they have done, Heb 6:12;
and keep the paths of the righteous; not only observe them and walk in them, but continue therein, even in the paths of faith and holiness; for righteous men, such as are made righteous by the righteousness of Christ, and are anew created unto righteousness and true holiness, and in consequence thereof live righteously; these walk by faith on Christ, and as becomes his Gospel; and in all the ordinances of it, and in all the duties of religion; and the Gospel teaches all those that receive and profess it to do the same.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
With there commences a new section, coordinating itself with the (“to deliver thee”) of Pro 2:12, Pro 2:16, unfolding that which wisdom accomplishes as a preserver and guide:
20 So that thou walkest in the good way,
And keepest the right paths.
21 For the upright shall inhabit the land,
And the innocent shall remain in it.
22 But the godless are cut off out the land,
And the faithless are rooted out of it.
Wisdom – thus the connection – will keep thee, so that thou shalt not fall under the seductions of man or of woman; keep, in order that thou… (from = , tendency, purpose) refers to the intention and object of the protecting wisdom. To the two negative designations of design there follows, as the third and last, a positive one. (contrast to , Pro 14:19) is here used in a general ethical sense: the good ( Guten , not Gtigen , the kind). , with the object of the way, may in another connection also mean to keep oneself from, cavere ab (Psa 17:4); here it means: carefully to keep in it. The promise of Pro 2:21 is the same as in the Mashal Psa 37:9, Psa 37:11, Psa 37:22; cf. Pro 10:30. is Canaan, or the land which God promised to the patriarchs, and in which He planted Israel, whom He had brought out of Egypt; not the earth, as Mat 5:5, according to the extended, unlimited N.T. circle of vision. ( Milel) is erroneously explained by Schultens: funiculis bene firmis irroborabunt in terra . The verb , Arab. watar , signifies to yoke (whence , a cord, rope), then intrans. to be stretched out in length, to be hanging over ( vid., Fleischer on Job 30:11); whence , residue, Zep 2:9, and after which the lxx here renders , and Jerome permanebunt . In 22b the old translators render as the fut. of the pass. , Deu 28:63; but in this case it would be . The form , pointed , might be the Niph. of , but can neither be taken as one with , of the same meaning, nor with Hitzig is it to be vocalized ( Hoph. of ); nor, with Bttcher (1100, p. 453), is to be regarded as a veritable fut. Niph. is, as at Pro 15:25; Psa 52:7, active: evellant ; and this, with the subj. remaining indefinite (for which J. H. Michaelis refers to Hos 12:9), is equivalent to evellentur . This indefinite “they” or “one” (“ man ”), Fleischer remarks, can even be used of God, as here and Job 7:3 – a thing which is common in Persian, where e.g., the expression rendered hominem ex pulvere fecerunt is used instead of the fuller form, which would be rendered homo a Deo ex pulvere factus est . bears (as proves) the primary meaning of concealed, i.e., malicious (treacherous and rapacious, Isa 33:1), and then faithless men.
(Note: Similar is the relation in Arab. of labbasa to libas ( ); it means to make a thing unknown by covering it; whence telbs , deceit, mulebbis , a falsifier.)
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
20. That In order that dependent on Pro 2:11: all this I say, in order that thou mayest, etc. The sincere love of wisdom will so secure thee, that, escaping the snares of the voluptuary, thou wilt imitate the character of good men, and be preserved in the paths of virtue.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Pro 2:20. That thou mayest walk Or, Walk thou therefore.
REFLECTIONS.Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore by all means to be sought after.
1. The way prescribed is threefold. (1.) Serious attention to, and meditation upon, the word of God. (2.) Fervent and importunate prayer, the best guide to the knowledge of the oracles of God. (3.) The diligent use of every appointed means, being as eager in the search as those whose hearts are set upon riches are in discovering the golden mines and ransacking the precious ore.
2. Success will crown these labours when persevered in. Then shalt thou understand that capital point, the fear of the Lord; wherein it consists, and how it is to be evidenced in the conversation: and find the knowledge of God, of his grace and glory, particularly as manifested in the face of Jesus Christ, whom to know is everlasting life: and this is the gift of God, not acquired by the mere exercise of our rational faculties, but communicated by the Spirit of truth, out of whose mouth cometh knowledge and understanding; in the scriptures, which he hath caused to be written for our learning, in which are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge: not the shew of it, but the reality, sound wisdom, and laid up there for the righteous, those who by faith in Christ are so accounted of God, and whose hearts and ways are by the Spirit renewed in righteousness and true holiness. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly, who make God’s word their rule; and, being under the divine protection, the shield of almighty love is stretched over them, that sin, Satan, and the world, may not come near to hurt them. He knoweth the paths of judgment; doth what is right himself in the dispensations of his providence and grace; and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment; distinguish truth from error; know how to act with justice in all thy dealings, and what is the duty of every station and relation, and equity, yea, every good path, whether respecting God or man: and thus the man of God shall be perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good work.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Pro 2:20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men], and keep the paths of the righteous.
Ver. 20. That thou mayest walk in the way. ] This is another work of wisdom – as to keep us from bad company, so to put us into good, where much good may be learned. Dr Taylor, martyr, rejoiced that ever he came in prison, there to be acquainted with that angel of God, John Bradford (so he called him). a Latimer and Ridley, while they lived, kept up Cranmer by intercourse of letters, and otherwise, from entertaining counsels of revolt. b A child having been brought up with Plato, returned home to his father’s house, and, hearing his father to chide, and exclaim furiously in his anger, used these speeches to his father, “I have never seen the like with Plato.” c
a Acts and Mon.
b Ibid.
c Sen., De Ira, lib. iii. cap. 11.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 2:20-22
Pro 2:20-22
HE WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL INHERITANCE
“That thou mayest walk in the way of good men,
And keep the paths of righteousness.
For the upright shall dwell in the land,
And the perfect shall remain in it.
But the wicked shall be cut off from the land,
And the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.”
Although “the land” as used in these verses was probably understood by the Israelites as the Palestine, that is, “The Promised Land,” it should be remembered that “The Promised Land” itself is a valid Biblical symbol of something far more wonderful, namely, heaven itself; and it is in that sense that the Christian should read these verses.
The Old Testament promises of the rewards of righteousness stressed the physical and material things of the present age rather that the eschatological wonders of the world to come; but they were not entirely wrong in this. “There is still impressive evidence that integrity pays better than treachery, that honesty is better than thievery, that truthfulness is better than falsehood, and that righteousness is better than wickedness, even in human terms.
Pro 2:20. The good men of this verse are to be contrasted with the evil men of Pro 2:12, and their good lives with the evil men who indulge with evil women.
Pro 2:21. In contrast with death resulting from the indulgent life, this verse speaks of the good men getting to live on. Psalms 37 stresses this blessing of godliness: Those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land (Psa 37:9); The meek shall inherit the land (Psa 37:11); Such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land (Psa 37:22); The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever (Psa 37:29).
Pro 2:22. The doom of the wicked is again mentioned. This fact is also stressed in Psalms 37 : They shall soon be cut down like the grass (Psa 37:2); Evil-doers shall be cut off (Psa 37:9); Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be (Psa 37:10); The arms of the wicked shall be broken (Psa 37:17); The wicked shall perish, And the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; in smoke shall they consume away (Psa 37:20); They that are cursed of him shall be cut off (Psa 37:22); The seed of the wicked shall be cut off (Psa 37:28); I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. But one passed by, and, lo, he was not: Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found (Psa 37:35-36); As for the transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off (Psa 37:38).
STUDY QUESTIONS – Pro 2:19-22
1. They dont return in what sense (Pro 2:19)?
2. What kind of men avoid such women (Pro 2:20)?
3. What are the parallel words in Pro 2:21?
4. What are the parallel words in Pro 2:22?
Moral Benefits of Wisdom – Pro 2:1-22
Open It
1. Why do people engage in habits that they know will hurt them?
2. What bad habit have you successfully broken?
3. What is something you have diligently pursued in life?
Explore It
4. What did Solomon encourage us to do? Why? (Pro 2:1-5)
5. What is the theme of this chapter? (Pro 2:1-22)
6. What are some of the benefits of wisdom? (Pro 2:1-22)
7. How should we look for wisdom? (Pro 2:4)
8. What happens to the person who accepts these words? (Pro 2:5)
9. What does the Lord give? (Pro 2:6)
10. What does the Lord do for the upright? (Pro 2:7-8)
11. What did Solomon say the reader would understand? (Pro 2:9-11)
12. From what can wisdom save us? (Pro 2:12; Pro 2:16)
13. How did Solomon describe wicked people? (Pro 2:12-15)
14. How did Solomon describe the adulteress? (Pro 2:16-17)
15. About whom did Solomon warn us? (Pro 2:16-17)
16. What results from being seduced by an adulteress? (Pro 2:18-19)
17. What will happen to the upright and to the wicked? (Pro 2:20-22)
Get It
18. How does wisdom benefit a persons life?
19. Why is it hard to pursue and to accept wisdom?
20. When has the Lord given you wisdom?
21. What does it mean to understand what is right and just?
22. In what way has wisdom been a shield in your life?
23. Why are the ways of the wicked and the path of the adulteress so enticing?
24. How does wisdom save a person from the wicked and the adulteress?
25. Why do people pursue sin when they know it will destroy them?
26. In what way is wisdom like hidden treasure?
27. What is it about sin that makes it so tempting?
28. When are you the most tempted by sin?
Apply It
29. What can you do today to accept wisdom and to apply your heart to understanding?
30. What tempting situation will you plan to avoid this week?
31. What is one way you can make wisdom your shield?
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Pro 13:20, Psa 119:63, Psa 119:115, Son 1:7, Son 1:8, Jer 6:16, Heb 6:12, 3Jo 1:11
Reciprocal: 2Ch 19:11 – the good Psa 112:5 – good Rom 4:12 – in the steps
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 2:20-22. That thou mayest walk, &c. This depends upon Pro 2:11, and is mentioned as another happy fruit of wisdom, the former being declared, from Pro 2:12-19. In the way of good men Mayest follow the counsels and examples of the godly. By this he intimates that it is not sufficient to abstain from evil company and practices, but that we must choose the conversation of good men. For the upright shall dwell in the land Shall have a peaceable and comfortable abode in the land of Canaan, which also is a type of their everlasting felicity. Their life on earth shall be quiet and peaceable, to which their uprightness will contribute, as it settles their minds, guides their counsels, gains them the good-will of their neighbours, and entitles them to Gods peculiar favour: and they shall dwell for ever in the heavenly Canaan. But the wicked That choose the way of the evil man; shall be cut off Not only from heaven hereafter, and all hopes of it, but from the earth now, on which they set their affections, and in which they lay up their treasure. They think to take root in it, but they and their families shall be rooted out of it In judgment to them, but in mercy to the earth. And there is a day coming which shall leave them neither root nor branch, Mal 4:1. Let that wisdom then enter into our hearts, and be pleasant to our souls, which will keep us out of a way that will end thus.