Proverbs 2:17

KJV

Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which forsaketh {H5800} the guide {H441} of her youth {H5271}, and forgetteth {H7911} the covenant {H1285} of her God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

who abandons the ruler she had in her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

Berean Standard Bible

who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

American Standard Version

That forsaketh the friend of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God:

Commentary

### 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](/proverbs/2-16 "Proverbs 2:16 - The Allure of the Strange Woman"), introduces her as one who "flattereth with her words," while the subsequent verses, [Proverbs 2:18-19](/proverbs/2-18-19 "Proverbs 2:18-19 - Her Path to Death"), 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](/malachi/2-14 "Malachi 2:14 - The Covenant of Marriage") 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](/proverbs/22-6 "Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up a Child"). 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](/proverbs/1 "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forsaketh (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** 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.
* **guide (Hebrew, _ʼallûwph'_):** 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.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** 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.

* [Malachi 2:14](/malachi/2-14 "The Covenant of Marriage")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "The Great Commandment")

### 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
* **What "guides of your youth"—whether people, foundational principles, or early spiritual instruction—have been most formative in your life, and how are you actively honoring or inadvertently neglecting them today?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might you be "forgetting the covenant of your God" in your daily life, perhaps through spiritual neglect, moral compromise, or a shift in ultimate priorities?**
* **How can you proactively strengthen your commitment to unwavering faithfulness in your most significant relationships and, preeminently, in your walk with God, guarding against the subtle temptations to abandon sacred vows?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "guide of her youth" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: 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?**

Answer: "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](/malachi/2-14 "The Covenant of Marriage")), 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?**

Answer: 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](/hosea/4-6 "My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge").

### 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](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), 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](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My 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](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom and Righteousness"), 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 16:59

For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

Ezekiel 16:60

¶ Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

Jeremiah 3:4

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?

Ezekiel 16:8

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

Proverbs 5:18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Malachi 2:14

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

Malachi 2:16

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.