Proverbs 2:6 - Exposition

For the Lord giveth wisdom. The Lord Jehovah is the only and true Source of wisdom. The truth stated here is also met with in Daniel 2:21 , "He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." He "giveth," or more properly, "will give" ( יִתֵּן , yitten, future of נָתַן , nathan ) , wisdom; but the connection requires us to understand that the assurance applies only to those who seek after it earnestly and truly (cf. James 1:5-7 ). The two coefficients to our obtaining wisdom are our efforts and God's assistance. Solomon may be adduced as s striking exemplification of this; he asked for "an understanding heart," and God graciously granted his request (see 1 Kings 3:9 , 1 Kings 3:12 ). Out of his mouth ( מִפִיו , mippiv ); ex ore ejus ; God is here spoken of anthropologically. He is the true Teacher. The meaning is that God communicates wisdom through the medium of his Word (Delitzsch. Pi.). The law proceeds from his mouth ( Job 22:22 ). In the Book of Wisdom (Wis. 7:25), "Wisdom is the breath of the power of God." His word is conveyed to us through men divinely inspired, and hence St. Peter ( 2 Peter 1:21 ) says that "holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."