Proverbs 1:5

5 For by the hearing of these a wise man will be wiser, and man of understanding will gain direction;

Proverbs 1:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 1:5

A wise [man] will hear
With great attention, and hearken to the proverbs and wise sayings herein delivered; for here are many things entertaining to men of years and wisdom, as well as instructive to young men and simple ones;

and will increase learning;
or "add" ^F11 to his stock of learning; or, as the Targum,

``will add knowledge;''

see ( 2 Peter 1:5 ) ; or, "will be wiser", as the Vulgate Latin version. This is said to show the excellency of this book, and the extensive usefulness of it; indeed wise men will get knowledge where fools cannot, and increase learning where others can get none: there are few books but a wise man will get something out of; and especially such a book as this, and as the Scriptures are;

and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels;
a man of a spiritual understanding arrives to the knowledge of the wise counsels of God; the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the "whole counsel" of God; are recondite wisdom, the hidden wisdom of God, which no wisdom of man is comparable to. It is the wisest scheme that was ever formed, and which the wit of man could never have devised, even salvation by Jesus Christ; and which was laid in God's "counsels of old", which are "faithfulness" and "truth"; the knowledge of which is attained unto by one that is spiritually wise. Moreover, a man that thoroughly understands the things contained in this book is fit to be a counsellor of others in things human and divine; in things moral, civil, and spiritual: he is fit to be in the cabinet council of princes, to be a counsellor of kings; yea, to have the reins of government in his hands. "He shall possess government"; so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions: or, "he shall possess the helm" ^F12; sit as a pilot there, as the word may signify, and steer the ship aright in which he is; whether it be his family, or the church of God, or a city or corporation, or a kingdom: this book, rightly understood by him, will furnish him with rules to do all things well and wisely.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Powy) "addet", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
F12 (hnqy twlbxt) "gubernacula possidebit", V. L. "metaphora a nauclero desumpta", Schultens.

Proverbs 1:5 In-Context

3 to receive also hard saying, and to understand true justice, and to direct judgment;

4 that he might give subtlety to the simple, and to the young man discernment and understanding.

5 For by the hearing of these a wise man will be wiser, and man of understanding will gain direction;

6 and will understand a parable, and a dark speech; the saying of the wise also, and riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and good understanding to all that practise it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.