Proverbs 4:2 kjv

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Proverbs 4:2 nkjv

For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

Proverbs 4:2 niv

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

Proverbs 4:2 esv

for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.

Proverbs 4:2 nlt

for I am giving you good guidance.
Don't turn away from my instructions.

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 2 Meaning

This verse functions as a solemn parental charge, emphasizing the priceless value and necessity of holding fast to godly instruction. It highlights that the teachings given are inherently good, derived from wisdom, and are essential for proper guidance in life, requiring unwavering commitment and adherence, lest one deviates from the path of righteousness and understanding.

Proverbs 4 2 Context

Proverbs chapter 4 opens with a tender, earnest appeal from a father to his son, urging him to attend to his instruction and open his heart to understanding. This particular verse, Proverbs 4:2, reinforces the initial call to attention, acting as a justification for the instruction to follow. The chapter subsequently delineates two paths: the path of wisdom and righteousness, leading to life and light, and the path of wickedness, leading to darkness and destruction. Historically and culturally, the transmission of wisdom and the Mosaic Law within the family unit was paramount in ancient Israel. A father's instruction was viewed as an extension of divine truth, preparing the child for a life in covenant with God. This passage reflects the pedagogical methods of the time, emphasizing active listening and unwavering adherence to received knowledge. It implicitly stands against the casual dismissal of ancestral wisdom or succumbing to foreign or foolish ideologies that would lead one astray.

Proverbs 4 2 Word analysis

• For I: Emphasizes the speaker's personal investment and authority as the giver of the doctrine, signaling a profound intention to impart truth. It frames the following statement as a foundational reason or explanation for seeking wisdom.

• give: (Hebrew: nathan, נָתַן) Implies a free and purposeful impartation. It is not something earned, but graciously offered, signifying the benevolent nature of the instruction being provided. It suggests the active transmission of valuable insights.

• you: A direct, intimate address, highlighting the personal nature of the appeal. The instruction is meant for the listener specifically, calling for individual reception and responsibility.

• good: (Hebrew: tov, טוֹב) This word conveys more than mere quality; it implies moral uprightness, beneficence, and divine approval. The doctrine is not only effective but also inherently righteous, wholesome, and beneficial for living a life pleasing to God. It means excellent in nature and result.

• doctrine: (Hebrew: leqach, לֶקַח) Refers to teaching, instruction, or something received. It's the content of the wisdom passed down, lessons learned, or precepts internalized. It's often used in wisdom literature to denote sound, practical teaching.

• forsake not: (Hebrew: al-ta’azov, אַל־תַּעֲזֹב) A strong negative command, literally "do not abandon," "do not neglect," "do not desert." It urges resolute loyalty and steadfastness, warning against casual disregard or deliberate departure from the given instruction. It implies an active choice to hold fast.

• my: Denotes possession and ultimate source. In the context of Proverbs, this often points to the divine origin of the wisdom, even when delivered through a human father. It emphasizes the specific, authoritative nature of this law.

• law: (Hebrew: torati, תּוֹרָתִי, "my Torah") This term extends beyond mere legal statutes to encompass guidance, instruction, and the whole body of divine revelation. It represents a way of life, God's perfect design for humanity. Here, "my law" implies the instruction given is rooted in the eternal wisdom that ultimately derives from God Himself.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For I give you good doctrine": This phrase establishes the value and source of the instruction. It's presented as a precious, beneficial gift, coming from an authoritative and benevolent giver, setting the stage for why it must be heeded. It is the positive offering.
  • "forsake not my law": This is the core command, a strong imperative that underscores the required response. It warns against rejecting or abandoning the wisdom previously introduced as "good doctrine." The "doctrine" is intrinsically linked to the "law," portraying the entire body of instruction as a singular, essential guiding principle. This is the negative prohibition, urging faithfulness.
  • "good doctrine" and "my law": These phrases are largely parallel, indicating that the beneficial instruction (leqach) imparted is precisely the comprehensive divine guidance (Torati). It underscores that the wisdom passed down by the wise parent aligns directly with God's ultimate design and way of life, making the command to preserve it an act of piety and practical wisdom.

Proverbs 4 2 Bonus section

The "my law" in Proverbs, particularly when expressed as Torati (my Torah), often echoes the Mosaic Law but also transcends it, encompassing a broader sense of divine instruction and wisdom. This concept of wisdom being inherent in the Law suggests that true understanding of God's ways is not merely academic but profoundly practical and applicable to daily living. The call to "forsake not" carries prophetic weight, prefiguring later biblical injunctions against spiritual backsliding or abandoning the truth once received, emphasizing the lifelong commitment required. Furthermore, the personal pronoun "my" signifies that this is not just abstract wisdom but the intimate, experienced wisdom of the instructor, making it a living truth to be embraced by the hearer. This relationship between giver and receiver of wisdom mirrors the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Proverbs 4 2 Commentary

Proverbs 4:2 succinctly captures the heart of wisdom literature: the imperative to receive and retain beneficial instruction. The "good doctrine" offered is not trivial advice but divinely approved teaching that leads to life and peace. It's an active, purposeful impartation from an authority figure—be it a parent, teacher, or ultimately, God Himself. This teaching, which the text parallels with "my law," implies comprehensive divine guidance that shapes one's character and course. The command "forsake not" carries immense weight, demanding unwavering commitment and loyalty. It's a call to diligently preserve and adhere to these teachings, acknowledging that to abandon them is to reject the very foundation for a righteous and flourishing life. This foundational commitment to truth acts as a guard against the myriad temptations and deceptions that promise an easier or more pleasurable path but ultimately lead to destruction.

Practical Usage:

• Value Biblical teaching: Prioritize consistent engagement with Scripture, recognizing its "goodness" for life and godliness.
• Commitment to Discipleship: Regularly seek out sound doctrine from faithful teachers, valuing it as a guide from God.
• Parental Duty: Parents are called to intentionally pass on "good doctrine" (biblical truths and godly principles) to their children, impressing upon them its essential value.
• Resist compromise: Be vigilant against contemporary philosophies or worldly wisdom that contradict biblical "law," steadfastly refusing to abandon core truths.