TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 2:10–22. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The scope of these verses is to show, 1. What great advantage true wisdom will be of to us; it will keep us from the paths of sin, which lead to ruin, and will therein do us a greater kindness than if it enriched us with all the wealth of the world. 2. What good use we should make of the wisdom God gives us; we must use it for our own guidance in the paths of virtue, and for the arming of us against temptations of every kind. 3. By what rules we may try ourselves whether we have this wisdom or no. This tree will be known by its fruits; if we be truly wise, it will appear by our care to avoid all evil company and evil practices.
This wisdom will be of use to us,
I.For our preservation from evil, from the evil of sin, and, consequently, from the evil of trouble that attends it.
1.In general (Pro 2:10, Pro 2:11), "When wisdom has entire possession of thee, it will keep thee." And when has it an entire possession of us?
(1.)When it has dominion over us. When it not only fills the head with notions, but enters into the heart and has a commanding power and influence upon that, - when it is upon the throne there, and gives law to the affections and passions, - when it enters into the heart as the leaven into the dough, to diffuse its relish there, and to change it into its own image - then it is likely to do us good.
(2.)When we have delight in it, when knowledge becomes pleasant to the soul: "When thou beginnest to relish it as the most agreeable entertainment, and art subject to its rules, of choice, and with satisfaction, - when thou callest the practice of virtue, not a slavery and a task, but liberty and pleasure, and a life of serious godliness the most comfortable life a man can live in this world, - then thou wilt find the benefit of it." Though its restraints should be in some respects unpleasant to the body, yet even those must be pleasant to the soul. When it has come to this, with us, discretion shall preserve us and keep us. God keeps the way of his saints (Pro 2:8), by giving them discretion to keep out of harm's way, to keep themselves that the wicked one touch them not. Note, A principle of grace reigning in the heart will be a powerful preservative both against corruptions within and temptations without, Ecc 9:16, Ecc 9:18.
2.More particularly, wisdom will preserve us,
(1.)From men of corrupt principles, atheistical profane men, who make it their business to debauch young men's judgments, and instil into their minds prejudices against religion and arguments for vice: "It will deliver thee from the way of the evil man (Pro 2:12), and a blessed deliverance it will be, as from the very jaws of death, from the way in which he walks, and in which he would persuade thee to walk." The enemy is spoken of as one (Pro 2:12), an evil man, but afterwards as many (Pro 2:13); there is a club, a gang of them, that are in confederacy against religion, and join hand in hand for the support of the devil's kingdom and the interests of it.
[1.]They have a spirit of contradiction to that which is good: They speak froward things; they say all they can against religion, both to show their own enmity to it and to dissuade others from it. They are advocates for Satan; they plead for Baal, and pervert the right ways of the Lord. How peevishly will profane wits argue for sin, and with what frowardness will they carp at the word of God! Wisdom will keep us either from conversing with such men or at least from being ensnared by them.
[2.]They are themselves apostates from that which is good, and such are commonly the most malicious and dangerous enemies religion has, witness Julian (Pro 2:13): They leave the paths of uprightness, which they were trained up in and had set out in, shake off the influences of their education, and break off the thread of their hopeful beginnings, to walk in the ways of darkness, in those wicked ways which hate the light, in which men are led blindfold by ignorance and error, and which lead men into utter darkness. The ways of sin are ways of darkness, uncomfortable and unsafe; what fools are those that leave the plain, pleasant, lightsome paths of uprightness, to walk in those ways! Psa 82:5; Jo1 2:11.
[3.]They take a pleasure in sin, both in committing it themselves and in seeing others commit it (Pro 2:14): They rejoice in an opportunity to do evil, and in the accomplishment and success of any wicked project. It is sport to fools to do mischief; nor is any sight more grateful to them than to see the frowardness of the wicked, to see those that are hopeful drawn into the ways of sin, and then to see them hardened and confirmed in those ways. They are pleased if they can discern that the devil's kingdom gets ground (see Rom 1:32), such a height of impiety have they arrived at.
[4.]They are resolute in sin (Pro 2:15): Their ways are crooked, a great many windings and turnings to escape the pursuit of their convictions and break the force of them; some sly excuse, some subtle evasion or other, their deceitful hearts furnish them with, for the strengthening of their hands in their wickedness; and in the crooked mazes of that labyrinth they secure themselves from the arrests of God's word and their own consciences; for they are froward in their paths, that is, they are resolved to go on in them, whatever is said against it. Every wise man will shun the company of such as these.
(2.)From women of corrupt practices. The former lead to spiritual wickednesses, the lusts of the unsanctified mind; these lead to fleshly lusts, which defile the body, that living temple, but withal war against the soul. The adulteress is here called the strange woman, because no man that has any wisdom or goodness in him will have any acquaintance with her; she is to be shunned by every Israelite as if she were a heathen, and a stranger to that sacred commonwealth. A strange woman indeed! utterly estranged from all principles of reason, virtue, and honour. It is a great mercy to be delivered from the allurements of the adulteress, considering,
[1.]How false she is. Who will have any dealings with those that are made up of treachery? She is a strange woman; for, First, She is false to him whom she entices. She speaks fair, tells him how much she admires him above any man, and what a kindness she has for him; but she flatters with her words; she has no true affection for him, nor any desire of his welfare, any more than Delilah had of Samson's. All she designs is to pick his pocket and gratify a base lust of her own. Secondly, She is false to her husband, and violates the sacred obligation she lies under to him. He was the guide of her youth; by marrying him she chose him to be so, and submitted herself to his guidance, with a promise to attend him only, and forsake all others. But she has forsaken him, and therefore it cannot be thought that she should be faithful to any one else; and whoever entertains her is partaker with her in her falsehood. Thirdly, She is false to God himself: She forgets the covenant of her God, the marriage-covenant (Pro 2:17), to which God is not only a witness, but a party, for, he having instituted the ordinance, both sides vow to him to be true to each other. It is not her husband only that she sins against, but her God, who will judge whoremongers and adulterers because they despise the oath and break the covenant, Eze 17:18; Mal 2:14.
[2.]How fatal it will prove to those that fall in league with her, Pro 2:18, Pro 2:19. Let the sufferings of others be our warnings. Take heed of the sin of whoredom; for, First, The ruin of those who are guilty of it is certain and unavoidable, if they do not repent. It is a sin that has a direct tendency to the killing of the soul, the extinguishing of all good affections and dispositions in it, and the exposing of it to the wrath and curse of God and the sword of his justice. Those that live in forbidden pleasures are dead while they live. Let discretion preserve every man, not only from the evil woman, but from the evil house, for the house inclines to death; it is in the road that leads directly to eternal death; and her paths unto Rephaim, to the giants (so some read it), the sinners of the old world, who, living in luxury and excess of riot, were cut down out of time, and their foundation was overthrown with a flood. Our Lord Jesus deters us from sinful pleasures with the consideration of everlasting torments which follow them. Where the worm dies not, nor is the fire quenched. See Mat 5:28, Mat 5:29. Secondly, Their repentance and recovery are extremely hazardous: None, or next to none, that go unto her, return again. It is very rare that any who are caught in this snare of the devil recover themselves, so much is the heart hardened, and the mind blinded, by the deceitfulness of this sin. Having once lost their hold of the paths of life, they know not how to take hold of them again, but are perfectly besotted and bewitched with those base lusts. Many learned interpreters think that this caution against the strange woman, besides the literal sense, is to be understood figuratively, as a caution, 1. Against idolatry, which is spiritual whoredom. Wisdom will keep thee from all familiarity with the worshippers of images, and all inclination to join with them, which had for many ages been of such pernicious consequence to Israel and proved so to Solomon himself. 2. Against the debauching of the intellectual powers and faculties of the soul by the lusts and appetites of the body. Wisdom will keep thee from being captivated by the carnal mind, and from subjecting the spirit to the dominion of the flesh, that notorious adulteress which forsakes its guide, violates the covenant of our God, which inclines to death, and which, when it has got an undisturbed dominion, makes the case of the soul desperate.
II.This wisdom will be of use to guide and direct us in that which is good (Pro 2:20):
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men. We must avoid the way of the evil man, and the strange woman, in order that we may walk in good ways; we must cease to do evil, in order that we may learn to do well. Note,
1.There is a way which is peculiarly the way of good men, the way in which good men, as such, and as far as they have really been such, have always walked.
2.It will be our wisdom to walk in that way, to ask for the good old way and walk therein, Jer 6:16; Heb 6:12; Heb 12:1. And we must not only walk in that way awhile, but we must keep it, keep in it, and never turn aside out of it: The paths of the righteous are the paths of life, which all that are wise, having taken hold of, will keep their hold of. "That thou mayest imitate those excellent persons, the patriarchs and prophets (so bishop Patrick paraphrases it), and be preserved in the paths of those righteous men who followed after them." We must not only choose our way in general by the good examples of the saints, but must also take directions from them in the choice of our particular paths; observe the track, and go forth by the footsteps of the flock. Two reasons are here given why we should thus choose: - (1.) Because men's integrity will be their establishment, Pro 2:21. It will be the establishment, [1.] Of their persons: The upright shall dwell in the land, peaceably and quietly, as long as they live; and their uprightness will contribute to it, as it settles their minds, guides their counsels, gains them the good-will of their neighbours, and entitles them to God's special favour. [2.] Of their families: The perfect, in their posterity, shall remain in it. They shall dwell and remain for ever in the heavenly Canaan, of which the earthly one was but a type. (2.) Because men's iniquity will be their destruction, Pro 2:22. See what becomes of the wicked, who choose the way of the evil man; they shall be cut off, not only from heaven hereafter and all hopes of that, but from the earth now, on which they set their affections, and in which they lay up their treasure. They think to take root in it, but they and their families shall be rooted out of it, in judgment to them, but in mercy to the earth. There is a day coming which shall leave them neither root nor branch, Mal 4:1. Let that wisdom then enter into our hearts, and be pleasant to our souls, which will keep us out of a way that will end thus.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
And leaves the guide of her youth, etc. It is clear about the adulteress because she first leaves her husband and forgets the covenant of her God, evidently that which she made with her husband, with the Lord as witness, at the time of marriage, that they would keep the faith of chastity with each other. It is also clear about the heretical mind, because it leaves the teacher from whom it learned the faith of the Church; and forgets the covenant of its God, that is, of the Lord's own faith, which is contained in the creed, which it promised to keep on the day of baptism.
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Summary
Proverbs 2:17 profoundly describes a woman characterized by profound disloyalty, specifically by "forsaking the guide of her youth" and "forgetting the covenant of her God." This verse functions as a solemn and critical warning within the broader discourse on wisdom and folly in Proverbs, illustrating the deep treachery and spiritual apostasy inherent in abandoning established, sacred relationships and divine principles. It underscores the destructive trajectory chosen by those who disregard foundational fidelity, whether in the context of marriage or in their spiritual walk with the Almighty.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 2:17 is strategically placed within a lengthy paternal admonition (Proverbs 2:1-22), where the pursuit of wisdom is presented as the ultimate safeguard against the perils of wickedness. Specifically, verses 16-19 deliver a direct and potent warning against the "strange woman" or "adulteress," whose seductive words and deceptive ways lead to ruin. This particular verse, therefore, serves to define the character of this dangerous woman, not merely as a temptress, but as one who has herself already violated fundamental commitments. The preceding verse, Proverbs 2:16, introduces her as one who "flattereth with her words," while the subsequent verses, Proverbs 2:18-19, vividly describe her path as leading "down to death" and her inability to return to the paths of life. Thus, Proverbs 2:17 functions as a pivotal descriptor of her moral and spiritual depravity, explaining why her influence is so perilous—she is, at her core, a covenant-breaker.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, marriage was far more than a mere social arrangement; it was regarded as a sacred covenant established and witnessed by God. Malachi 2:14 explicitly refers to the wife as "the wife of thy youth, and the wife of thy covenant," powerfully emphasizing the divine sanctity of marital vows. The "guide of her youth" would most commonly refer to her husband, her primary companion, protector, and guide from her formative years. To "forsake" him was considered a profound act of betrayal, often synonymous with adultery. Furthermore, "the covenant of her God" encompassed not only the specific marital covenant but also the broader covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh, as meticulously outlined in the Mosaic Law. Forgetting or breaking this covenant was viewed as spiritual apostasy, a direct rejection of divine authority and moral order. The societal implications of such actions were severe, undermining the very fabric of family and community, which were inextricably intertwined with religious and moral fidelity.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs. It profoundly underscores the theme of fidelity versus treachery, presenting the strange woman as the quintessential embodiment of disloyalty, not only to her human commitments but, more gravely, to her divine obligations. It highlights the sacredness of covenant, emphasizing that vows made before God, particularly within the sanctity of marriage, are profoundly binding, and their violation carries severe spiritual consequences. The "guide of her youth" can also symbolize the abandonment of foundational wisdom and early instruction, suggesting a turning away from the righteous principles instilled during one's formative years, a theme echoed in Proverbs 22:6. Ultimately, the verse serves as a stark and urgent warning about the destructive nature of sin and apostasy, sharply contrasting the path of the covenant-breaker with the life-giving path of wisdom and righteousness championed throughout the entire Book of Proverbs.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root (H5800) signifies "to loosen," "relinquish," or "abandon." It denotes a deliberate, active, and often permanent act of leaving or deserting, frequently carrying strong negative connotations of neglect, betrayal, or even destitution. In this context, it describes a conscious and willful abandonment of a relationship or commitment, indicating a decisive break rather than a passive drifting apart.
This term (H441), derived from a root meaning "familiar," can denote a close friend, a chieftain, or a guide. Here, it strongly suggests a primary, intimate companion from her youth, most likely her husband. The word emphasizes a relationship built on trust, intimacy, and often leadership or guidance, making the act of forsaking a profound and personal betrayal of one who was meant to be a steadfast partner.
From a root suggesting "cutting" (H1285), referencing ancient covenant-making rituals that often involved cutting animals and passing between the pieces, bᵉrîyth denotes a solemn, binding agreement, compact, or league. It is a sacred, often divinely witnessed, oath or treaty, establishing a formal relationship with mutual obligations. Its presence here elevates the woman's actions beyond mere social transgression to a profound spiritual offense against God Himself, who is the ultimate party and witness to all true covenants.
Verse Breakdown
"Which forsaketh the guide of her youth"
This initial clause identifies the woman's primary act of betrayal. "The guide of her youth" most directly refers to her husband, her partner from her formative years, whom she has deliberately abandoned. This highlights a deep personal disloyalty and the breaking of marital fidelity, which was considered a foundational covenant in ancient Israelite society. It speaks to a conscious rejection of a long-standing, intimate relationship, implying a willful severance of a bond of trust and companionship.
"and forgetteth the covenant of her God"
This second clause intensifies the gravity of her actions, revealing their profound spiritual dimension. "Forgetteth" (Hebrew shâkach) implies not merely a lapse of memory, but a deliberate disregard, neglect, or active turning away from what should be remembered and honored. The "covenant of her God" refers to the sacred agreement she entered into, primarily her marriage vows, which were understood to be made before and witnessed by God. This indicates that her betrayal is not only against her earthly partner but also a profound spiritual offense against God Himself, demonstrating a complete disregard for divine authority and sacred commitments.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 2:17 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and sobering warning. Parallelism is prominently evident in the two clauses, where "forsaketh the guide of her youth" is directly mirrored and amplified by "forgetteth the covenant of her God." This synonymous parallelism emphasizes the dual nature of her betrayal—both personal and spiritual—and powerfully highlights their interconnectedness, suggesting that relational infidelity inevitably leads to or stems from spiritual apostasy. The "guide of her youth" and "covenant of her God" function as potent Symbolism, representing not only a specific husband and marital vow but also, more broadly, the foundational principles of wisdom, righteousness, and faithfulness instilled during one's formative years, and the sacred, binding relationship with God Himself. The entire passage (Proverbs 2:16-19) utilizes Personification by presenting "the strange woman" as a tangible, alluring embodiment of folly and seductive evil, starkly contrasting her with the personified wisdom introduced in the earlier verses of the chapter. Her actions in verse 17 are thus not merely those of an individual but symbolize the destructive consequences of choosing a path contrary to divine wisdom and covenant fidelity.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 2:17 speaks profoundly to the biblical themes of covenant fidelity, the insidious nature of apostasy, and the sanctity of foundational relationships. The woman's actions illustrate the grave spiritual danger of abandoning sacred vows, whether marital or spiritual, which are understood to be made before and witnessed by God. Her "forgetting" of the covenant is not a mere oversight but a deliberate disregard for divine authority and moral order, a turning away from the very source of life and truth. This spiritual unfaithfulness, mirrored in her relational betrayal, serves as a powerful warning against any form of backsliding or compromise that undermines one's commitment to God and His ways. It underscores that true wisdom involves unwavering loyalty to God and to the righteous principles He establishes for human relationships, recognizing that the breaking of one covenant often leads to the breaking of others.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 2:17 serves as a timeless and urgent warning, compelling us to deeply examine the integrity of our commitments—both human and divine. It challenges us to honestly consider whether we are truly upholding the "covenants" of our lives, particularly those made in our youth or at foundational stages of our faith journey. This verse calls us to cultivate unwavering loyalty, not only in our most intimate relationships like marriage but, more importantly, in our walk with God. It reminds us that spiritual drifting often commences with a subtle "forgetting" or a gradual disregard for the truths and principles instilled in us early on. We are encouraged to vigilantly guard our hearts and minds against influences that would tempt us to abandon our foundational commitments, recognizing that such abandonment inevitably leads to destructive paths, both personally and spiritually. Ultimately, the verse calls for a proactive and intentional commitment to faithfulness, ensuring that our daily actions and deepest affections reflect the sacredness of our vows and the profound importance of our relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is the "guide of her youth" mentioned in this verse?
The "guide of her youth" (Hebrew: ʼallûwph) most commonly refers to her husband, her primary companion and intimate partner from her younger years. In ancient Israel, marriage was a deeply significant and often lifelong covenant. To forsake this guide implies a profound betrayal of marital fidelity. However, on a broader symbolic level, it can also represent the foundational moral and spiritual instruction received during one's formative years, such as parental teaching, the wisdom of elders, or the righteous principles passed down through generations, which she has now abandoned.
What does "the covenant of her God" refer to?
"The covenant of her God" (Hebrew: bᵉrîyth Eloheyha) refers to a solemn, binding agreement witnessed by God. While it primarily alludes to the marriage covenant, which was understood as a sacred vow made before God (as seen in Malachi 2:14), it also encompasses the broader covenant relationship between the individual and God. This includes the moral and spiritual obligations inherent in being part of God's people, such as adherence to His laws and devotion to Him alone. Forgetting this covenant signifies a profound spiritual apostasy, a deliberate disregard for divine authority and the sacred commitments made to the Lord.
Is this verse only about adultery, or does it have a broader spiritual meaning?
While Proverbs 2:17 is certainly rooted in the immediate context of warning against the adulterous woman, its meaning extends far beyond mere physical infidelity to encompass a broader spiritual truth. The "strange woman" in Proverbs often functions as a potent symbol of Folly, standing in stark contrast to personified Wisdom. Therefore, her actions of forsaking her guide and forgetting her covenant can powerfully symbolize spiritual apostasy—a turning away from the Lord and His truth, and a deliberate disregard for the spiritual commitments made to Him. This makes the verse a profound warning against any form of spiritual unfaithfulness or backsliding, emphasizing the critical importance of unwavering loyalty to God and His ways, as highlighted in passages like Hosea 4:6.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 2:17, with its stark depiction of a woman who forsakes her guide and forgets her covenant, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several crucial ways. First, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "guide of our youth" and indeed of all ages. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, the one who perfectly leads us in paths of righteousness and truth. To abandon Him is to forsake the very source of life, wisdom, and eternal truth, just as the woman in Proverbs abandons her foundational relationship. Second, Christ is the embodiment and perfect fulfillment of "the covenant of her God." The Old Testament covenants, including the marital covenant, served as types and shadows, ultimately foreshadowing the New Covenant established in His blood. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ inaugurated a perfect, unbreakable, and eternal covenant, offering forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. To "forget" this covenant, or to turn away from it, is to reject the ultimate act of divine faithfulness and boundless love. The "strange woman" in Proverbs represents the insidious allure of sin and spiritual unfaithfulness that constantly seeks to draw us away from God. In Christ, we find the complete antidote to such temptation; He is the personification of true Wisdom, offering a path of unwavering fidelity to God. Our spiritual faithfulness is not merely a human effort but a dynamic response to His perfect faithfulness, enabling us, by His grace, to remain steadfast in the covenant He has secured for us, ensuring that we do not forsake our ultimate Guide or forget His eternal covenant.