Proverbs 4:5 - Exposition

After the general exhortation given above, the father's instruction becomes more specific, and deals with the acquirement of wisdom. This subject seems to be continued in Proverbs 4:13 , where the second and concluding branch of the instruction begins, which consists mainly of warning, as the first part does with exhortation. We are thus furnished with an example how to teach. In our teaching it is not sufficient simply to point out what is to be done, but we must show what is to be avoided. Get wisdom, get understanding . The father urges the acquirement of wisdom in the same way and with the same importunity as the trader or merchant presses his goods upon buyers. Wisdom and understanding are put forward as objects of merchandise; for the verb kanah, from which the imperative k'neh, signifies not only "to acquire for one's self," or "to possess," but especially "to buy." The verb occurs again in the same sense in Proverbs 4:7 , "Get [ k'neh, i.e. buy] wisdom;" and in Proverbs 23:23 , "Buy ( k'neh ) the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (cf. also Proverbs 15:22 : Proverbs 16:16 ; Proverbs 19:9 , where we also meet with the same verb). The reiteration of the word "get," as Umbreit remarks, is "an imitation of the exclamation of a merchant who is offering his wares." The importunity of the father measures the value he sets upon wisdom as an inestimable treasure, a pearl of great price (see Proverbs 3:14 ). Forget it not, etc.; rather, forget not, neither turn from the words of my mouth,— so Zockler, Delitzsch, Hodg; and others; Vulgate, ne obliviscaris, neque declines a verbis oris mei. There is no need to supply "it" after the verb al-tish'-kakh, "forget not," as Holden states, and as appears in the Authorized Version, since shakakh is found with min ( מִן ), "of" or "from," in Psalms 12:4 (5), "I forgot to eat ( shakakh'ti meakol )," and the same construction may obtain here. The two verbs, "forget" and "decline from," are not so very wide in meaning, since the former, shakakh, is to "leave" something from forgetfulness, and the latter, natah, rendered here "decline from," is "to turn away" from something. The words of my mouth represent as it were the means by which wisdom may be purchased.