explain the meaning of the passage, interacting with the text and commentators as appropriate

explain the meaning of the passage, interacting with the text and commentators as appropriate

The opening of the chapter (2:1-4) acts as the heading and sets the scene for all that follows. The chapter opens with the similar refrain urging the son to ‘…accept my words…[, to] store up my commands…[, to turn] your ear.. and [apply to]… your heart...’ (Proverbs 2:1-2) the words and commands of wisdom (and the parents) and to apply it’s words. This is the cry of the parents right from the opening and the book in 1:8-9.

As one reads through the chapter they notice a distinct repetition of the word ‘you’. This demonstrates that the choice to follow wisdom, or folly, is the responsbility of the son. Wisdom calls for anyone to hear (1:20-21) and the parents urge their son to listen, but the choice is their’s and their’s alone. If they do earnestly search and look for it, as 2:1-5 says, they will ‘…find the knowledge of God.’ (2:5). Here once more the undertsanding and knowledge of God is what is to be pursed and desired. This links one back to 1:7 and where true wisdom is to be found. This verse acts as the pinacle and focus of ones goal of which the reaining of chapter then flows from.

Verses 6 to 8 shows the ‘why’. Why would one seek God for ‘understading’ and ‘knowledge’? Here the LORD ‘gives’ wisdom and from His mouth comes ‘…knowledge and understadning.’ (2:6). In otherwords, God is the source and all He does is and portrays wisdom. Verses 7-8 demonstarate God’s goodness or rather the goodness He has in store for those follow in His ways. They further cement why one woudl come to God; He ‘…hold sucess…he is a shield…[a] guard… and protects...’

Verse 9 signals a new section and consequence. As one finds God and His wisdom they will know integrity, everything that is good. Once more we have the reson why following. This time one has already recieved wisdom from God, so now wisdom ‘…will enter your heart...’ (empahsis mine) and one will enjoy and welcome knowledge. Then verse 11, the undertsanding and integrity one has gained will ‘...protect… and… guard you.’

Verses 12 to 19 present the two main things which one will then be proetected from. THat is verse 12 ‘…wicken men...’ and then in verse 16 ‘…the adulterous woman...’ Other chapters go in to further detaisl on these two but here we have a pithy summary. These wicked men ons is to avoid have ‘…left the straight path…[turning instead to] dark ways...’(2:13), they delight and jecoice in evil and wrong ways, theyre crooked and decieptive in all that they do. THey are going no where one ought to be going or seeking. They are the antithesis of what proverbs is calling the son to do. 16-19 focus on the alulterous woman, and the stark realtily that her paths lead to death and the dead. The chpater doesnt shy away from the reality of her ‘…seductive words…’ however, as verse 16 opens with, wisdom will save one from these words, from the one who has abandoned all vows and oaths they have taken.

In the closing verses 20-22 show an alternative especially to the paths of the dead and evil just seen. Rather the one who chooses and seeks wisdom will walk in those ways, act, and maintain those ways. As a result they will ‘…live in the land...’ whereas the wicked will be ‘…cut off… and… torn from it.’ (2:22)

proverbs & the parents are seeking to save tthe life of the son.

QUESTIONS OF THE TEXT - LAND…, etc.

Through out the passage there is a constant refrain of ‘For’ followed by an imperative with a summary ‘then’ sentence

conditions - if… consequences - then.

The passage is broken up in to section with framrd with conditions ‘…if...’ in the opening 2:1-4 section. And then followed by consequences of then/thus (1:5, 9, 20). The passage follows a fomula flowing out of the opening 2:1-5 section. With ‘for’ starting off each section (6, 10, 21) with then finishing each off with the consequences