Proverbs 3:4

“So shall thou find favour, etc.] Or “grace”f57; the grace of God, and larger measures of it; as Noah did, (<010608>Genesis 6:8); which are communicated to men when in the way of their duty: or good will, esteem, and respect, among men; as Joseph had with Potiphar, and the keeper of the prison, (<013904>Genesis 39:4,21); and good understanding in the sight of God and man; as Christ, as man, had in the sight of both, (<420252>Luke 2:52); that is, to be taken notice of, regarded, and approved by both. Some render it “good success”f58; prosperity in things temporal and spiritual; (see <19B110>Psalm 111:10). There is something lovely, and of good report, in a close attention to the doctrines and…”

“favour--grace, amiability (Pro 22:11; Psa 45:2); united with this, a good understanding--(Compare Margin), a discrimination, which secures success. in the sight . . . man--such as God and man approve.”

“Compare Luke 2:52. These are the two conditions of true human growth. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Understanding - Whereby to know thy duty, and to discern between good and evil. Of God - Grace or favour with God, and that understanding which is good in God's sight. Proverbs 3:5”

“shalt: Gen 39:2-4, Gen 39:21; Sa1 2:26; Psa 111:10; Dan 1:9; Luk 2:52; Act 2:47; Rom 14:18 good understanding: or, good success, Jos 1:7, Jos 1:8 \*marg. Psa 111:10 Proverbs 3:5”

“To the admonitory imper. there follows here a second, as Pro 4:4; Pro 20:13; Amo 5:4; Ch2 20:20, instead of which also the perf. consec. might stand; the counsellor wishes, with the good to which he advises, at the same time to present its good results. שׂכל is ( Sa1 25:3) the appearance, for the Arab. shakl means forma, as uniting or binding the lineaments or contours into one figure, σχῆμα, according to which שׂכל טוב may be interpreted of the pleasing and advantageous impression which the well-built external appearance of a man makes, as an image of that which his internal excellence produces; thus, favourable view, friendly judgment, good reputation (Ewald, Hitzig, Zckler). But…”