Proverbs 2:17-22

17 That leaves the 1companion of her youth And forgets the 2covenant of her God;
18 For 3her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead;
19 None * 4who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the 5paths of life.
20 So you will 6walk in the way of good men And keep to the 7paths of the righteous.
21 For 8the upright will live in the land And 9the blameless will remain in it;
22 But 10the wicked will be cut off from the land And 11the treacherous will be 12uprooted from it.

Proverbs 2:17-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 2

This chapter directs to the means of attaining to the knowledge of divine things, and shows the profit and advantage arising from thence. The means are, embracing the doctrines of the Gospel, and retaining in memory and affection the ordinances of it, Pr 2:1; and an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to the knowledge of these things, Pr 2:2. An earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer, after the same, Pr 2:3; and a diligent and unwearied search for them, as for silver and hid treasure, Pr 2:4. The advantages are, that such shall attain to the fear and knowledge of God; which may be concluded from these being the gift of God to his people, and from their being laid up for them, whom he carefully keeps and preserves, Pr 2:5-8; and not only so, but such learn to do that which is just and right among men, Pr 2:9. And, besides, such is the nature of divine wisdom, that, when it has once got a place in the heart and in the affections, it will be a means of preserving both from the ways of evil men, Pr 2:10-12; who are described, Pr 2:13-15. And from the evil woman, whose character is given, Pr 2:16,17; whose vicious course of life, and the ways she leads persons into, are represented as very dangerous, Pr 2:18,19. And, on the contrary, such is the usefulness of true wisdom, that it leads into the way of good men, who will be happy and safe, when the wicked shall be destroyed, Pr 2:20-22.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Malachi 2:14, 15
  • 2. Genesis 2:24
  • 3. Proverbs 7:27
  • 4. Ecclesiastes 7:26
  • 5. Psalms 16:11; Proverbs 5:6
  • 6. Hebrews 6:12
  • 7. Proverbs 4:18
  • 8. Psalms 37:9, 29; Proverbs 10:30
  • 9. Proverbs 28:10
  • 10. Psalms 37:38; Proverbs 10:30
  • 11. Proverbs 11:3
  • 12. Deuteronomy 28:63; Psalms 52:5

Footnotes 3

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