Proverbs 4:9

4:1-13 We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace,.... This, and the following clause, explain what that honour is Christ promotes and brings his followers to here and hereafter: he gives them grace and more grace; "an increase of grace", so the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and some think James refers to this passage, Proverbs 4:6 . The grace that Christ gives is very ornamental to his people: justifying grace greatly beautifies and adorns them; it not only covers the nakedness of their souls, and all their spots and imperfections, and through it all their sins are caused to pass from them; but they are made exceeding beautiful, perfectly comely through this comeliness, a perfection of beauty by it; and which is often signified by that which is very ornamental, rich, and costly, as fine linen, clothing of wrought gold, raiment of needlework, a Wedding garment, stuck with jewels and precious stones: sanctifying grace, which also is Christ's gift, is very ornamental; it is called "the beauty of holiness"; it is that by which a man is made like to God, and conformed to the image of Christ; it is the curious workmanship of the Spirit of God; or what makes a man beautiful, and makes him meet for heaven and happiness: every grace is ornamental; faith, hope, love, humility, &c. these are like rows of jewels, and chains of gold, about the neck.

And when this ornament is said to be given "to the head", it is not to be understood of the natural head of a man, but of his whole person, it gives a comeliness to; and may denote the visibility of it, as it appears in the life and conversation; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee; by which is meant eternal glory and happiness, called a "crown", an ensign of royal dignity, which, belongs to such as are made kings and priests unto God; and is given to conquerors, even who are more than conquerors through Christ, and as a reward of diligence and faithfulness, Revelation 2:10. It is sometimes called a crown of life, a crown of righteousness, an incorruptible and never-fading one, and, as here, "a crown of glory"; the saints in heaven will have a glory put upon them, both in soul and body; they will appear with Christ in glory, and be crowned with glory and honour, as he is; they will be clothed and surrounded with it: and so some render it, "she will compass thee about with a crown of glory as with a shield'' (w); see Psalm 5:12. This Christ is said to "deliver"; it is in his hands, laid up in him, and is safe with him; he has power to dispose of it, and it may be expected from him; see 2 Timothy 4:8. (w) , Sept. "proteget te", V. L. "muniet te", Montanus, Tigerine version; "cinget te", Gejerus.

Verse 9. - An ornament of grace ( liv'yath khen ). (On this, see Proverbs 1:9 .) A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee; or, as margin, she shall compass thee with a crown of glory. Deliver. The verb miggen , piel, since the kal, magan, is not used. is, however, properly, "to give, or deliver," as in Genesis 14:20 ; Hosea 11:8 . That this is the meaning is clear from the corresponding "she shall give" ( titten , but cf. nathan , "to give"). It is commonly found with an accusative and dative, but here takes two accusatives. Both the LXX. and the Vulgate render, "With a crown of glory or delights shall she protect ( ὑπερασπίση , proteget ) thee:" as if it were connected with magen , "a shield," but a crown is not usually associated with protection or defence. "A crown of glory," in the New Testament, is always associated with the everlasting honours of heaven, as in Hebrews 2:9 ; 2 Timothy 4:8 ; 1 Peter 4:4 ; Revelation 2:20 . The meaning is here, "Wisdom shall confer on thee true dignity." Proverbs 4:9

The meaning of the ἁπ. γεγρ. סלסל is determined by רומם in the parallel clause; סלל signifies to raise, exalt, as a way or dam by heaping up; the Pilpel, here tropical: to value or estimate highly. Bttcher interprets well: hold it high in price, raise it (as a purchaser) always higher, make offer for it upon offer. The lxx (approved by Bertheau), περιχαράκωσον αὐτήν, circumvallate it, i.e., surround it with a wall (סללה) - a strange and here unsuitable figure. Hold it high, says the author, and so it will reward (Note: Lwenstein has rightly ותרוממך, vid., my preface to Baer's Genesis, p. vii.) thee with a high place, and (with chiastic transposition of the performance and the consequence) she will honour (Note: We read תכבּדך, not תכבּרך (Hahn) or תכבּדך (Lwenstein); the tone lies on the penult., and the tone-syllable has the point Tsere, as in ויגּדך, Deuteronomy 32:7; vid., Michlol 66b.) thee if (ἐάν) thou lovingly embracest her. חבּק is used of embracing in the pressure of tender love, as in Sol 2:6; Sol 8:3; the Piel is related to the Kal as amplexari to amplecti. Wisdom exalts her admirers, honours her lovers, and makes a man's appearance pleasant, causing him to be reverenced when he approaches.

Regarding לוית־חן, vid., Proverbs 1:9. מגּן, to deliver up (Genesis 14:20), to give up (Hosea 11:8), is connected in the free poetic manner with two accusatives, instead of with an accus. and dat. lxx has ὑπερασπίσῃ, but one does not defend himself (as with a shield) by a wreath or crown.

[Bible] 3:28. Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and to morrow I will give to thee: when thou canst give at present. 3:29. Practise not evil against thy friend, when he hath confidence in thee. 3:30. Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath done thee no evil. 3:31. Envy not the unjust man, and do not follow his ways. 3:32. For every mocker is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is with the simple. 3:33. Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the just shall be blessed. 3:34. He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will give grace. 3:35. The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace. Proverbs Chapter 4 A further exhortation to seek after wisdom. 4:1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend, that you may know prudence. 4:2. I will give you a good gift, forsake not my law. 4:3. For I also was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother: 4:4. And he taught me, and said: Let thy heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live. 4:5. Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth. 4:6. Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her, and she shall preserve thee. 4:7. The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom, and with all thy possession purchase prudence. 4:8. Take hold on her, and she shall exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified by her, when thou shalt embrace her. 4:9. She shall give to thy head increase of graces, and protect thee with a noble crown. 4:10. Hear, O my son, and receive my words, that years of life may be multiplied to thee. 4:11. I will shew thee the way of wisdom, I will lead thee by the paths of equity: 4:12. Which when thou shalt have entered, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not meet a stumblingblock. 4:13. Take hold on instruction, leave it not: keep it, because it is thy life.

rses, at least as far as the 10th verse, are propounded as the words of David, that the name of so great a king and holy a prophet might add the more authority and efficacy to his counsels. ## And live, i.e. thou shalt live. It is a promise in the form of a command, as Pro_3:25. Proverbs 4:5 From the belief and practice of my word. ## Proverbs 4:6 Love her; he intimates that it is not enough to do what is good, which may sometimes proceed from worldly or sinful motives, but that we must have a sincere and fervent more and more unto the perfect day; just men do daily love to it. ## Proverbs 4:7 The principal thing; the most excellent of all possessions. ## With all; even with the price of all, though it cost thee the loss of all which thou hast. Or, or among all . Whilst you labour for other things, do not neglect this. ## Proverbs 4:8 Exalt her; let her have thine highest esteem and affection. ## To honour, both with God and men; which Solomon knew by experience. ## Proverbs 4:9 An ornament of grace, i.e. an acceptable or beautiful o rnament, such as they used to put upon their heads. Proverbs 4:10 No text from Poole on this verse. ## Proverbs 4:11 In the way of wisdom; either 1. Which procureth wisdom. Or, 2. Which wisdom directeth thee to walk in. ## Proverb