Proverbs 4

 Overall:

(NET) Commentators note the use of the body in this section: ear (v. 20), eyes (v. 21), flesh (v. 22), heart (v. 23), lips (v. 24), eyes (v. 25), feet (v. 26), and hands and feet (v. 27). Each is a synecdoche of part representing the whole; the total accumulation signifies the complete person in the process.


a.      Exhortation to the father’s teaching (4:20–22)


(EBC) the disciple must use the ears to listen closely to the teacher’s words, the eyes to watch them closely, and the heart to determine to do them. 


By using ears, eyes, and heart, the teacher is exhorting the whole person to receive the traditions.


22 The reason for giving heed to instruction once again is that the words of wisdom provide life—a life of health. The health that is promised here is physical, emotional, and spiritual—the whole person. It is made possible because of God’s words that bring deliverance from the evils that harm and hinder life.


      20 我兒,要留心聽我的言詞, 

      側耳聽我的話語。 

話語=4:10 

      10 我兒,你要聽受我的言語, 

      就必延年益壽。 

      11 我已指教你走智慧的道, 

      引導你行正直的路。 


b.      Concentration on righteousness (4:23–27)

Note: The keeping on righteousness v.23, 25-26 and the avoidance of turning to evil v.27,24

How do we see ourselves? We are able to sin and tend to sin. We have to be careful in order to not to sin. "guard, make the path level, do not turn" all require our effort.


v.23 The heart is the starting point of the activities of life (16:9; 23:19); it determines the course of life

24  This is the next logical step; for words flow out of the heart. Wisdom produces truthful speech



      25 你的眼目要向前正看, 

      你的眼睛當向前直觀。 

Next, the eyes must be focused on proper goals. The wise person will have an unswerving directness, but the fool is easily distracted


      26 要修平你腳下的路, 

      堅定你一切的道, 

      27 不可偏向左右, 

      要使你的腳離開邪惡。

The imagery of the level, firm, and straight path is used again in these final verses to advise the disciple to avoid evil actions.


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