John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. A wise [man] will hear , etc.] With great attention, and hearken to the proverbs and wise sayings herein delivered; for here are many things entertaining to men of years and wisdom, as well as instructive to young men and simple ones; and will increase learning ; or “add” to his stock of learning; or, as the Targum, “will add knowledge;” (see 2 Peter 1:5); or, “will be wiser”, as the Vulgate Latin version. This is said to show the excellency of this book, and the extensive usefulness of it; indeed wise men will get knowledge where fools cannot, and increase learning where others can get none: there are few books but a wise man will get something out of; and especially such a book as this, and as the Scriptures are; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels ; a man of a spiritual understanding arrives to the knowledge of the wise counsels of God; the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the “whole counsel” of God; are recondite wisdom, the hidden wisdom of God, which no wisdom of man is comparable to. It is the wisest scheme that was ever formed, and which the wit of man could never have devised, even salvation by Jesus Christ; and which was laid in God’s “counsels of old”, which are “faithfulness” and “truth”; the knowledge of which is attained unto by one that is spiritually wise. Moreover, a man that thoroughly understands the things contained in this book is fit to be a counsellor of others in things human and divine; in things moral, civil, and spiritual: he is fit to be in the cabinet council of princes, to be a counsellor of kings; yea, to have the reins of government in his hands. “He shall possess government”; so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions: or, “he shall possess the helm” f11 ; sit as a pilot there, as the word may signify, and steer the ship aright in which he is; whether it be his family, or the church of God, or a city or corporation, or a kingdom: this book, rightly understood by him, will furnish him with rules to do all things well and wisely.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who fee their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people tak heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gai knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important point of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his wor and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom.
Original Hebrew ישׁמע8085 חכם2450 ויוסף3254 לקח3948 ונבון995 תחבלות8458 יקנה׃7069
