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Proverbs 6:23

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 6:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 6:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:
21Bind them continually upon thy heart; Tie them about thy neck.
22When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the foreigner`s tongue.
25Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26For on account of a harlot [a man is brought] to a piece of bread; And the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.
← Proverbs 6:22Proverbs 6:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“reproofs-- (Pro 1:23) the convictions of error produced by instruction.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Psalms 119:105. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the commandment: Psa 19:8, Psa 119:98-100, Psa 119:105; Isa 8:20; Pe2 1:19 lamp: or, candle, Rev 2:5 and reproofs: Pro 5:12, Pro 15:31, Pro 29:15; Lev 19:17; Psa 141:5 the way: Pro 3:18, Pro 4:4, Pro 4:13, Pro 15:24; Jer 21:8 Proverbs 6:24”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Since in היא the idea of wisdom and of wholesome doctrine lie in one another, the author can proceed with proof: For a lamp is the commandment, and instruction a light (Jerome et lex lux); And a way of life, disciplinary reproofs. That תורה has here not the positive, specifically Israelitish sense, but the generalized sense of instruction in conformity with truth regarding the will of God and the duty of man, vid., p. 42. This instruction mediated by man, but of divine origin, is אור, light, which enlightens the man who submits to it; and the commandment, מצוה, which directs men in every case to do what is right, and forbids that which is wrong (including the prohibition Lev 4:2), is נר, a…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 6 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification