Proverbs 1:5
Read Proverbs 1:5 Using Other Translations
What does Proverbs 1:5 mean?
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.
F11 (Powy) "addet", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.
F12 (hnqy twlbxt) "gubernacula possidebit", V. L. "metaphora a nauclero desumpta", Schultens.
