Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 2

(c) Third Discourse: — An Exhortation to follow after Wisdom (Proverbs 2:0).

Hide — i.e., store up. (Compare to Proverbs 2:4.)

If thou seekest her as silver.— That the process of mining was understood long before the time of Solomon is proved by the remains of copper mines discovered in the peninsula of Sinai, and the gold mines in the Bisháree desert of Egypt. Rock inscriptions have been found near the former, dating from a great age, in the opinion of Lepsius from 4000 B.C. (See the article “Mines,” in Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible; compare to also the description in Job 28:1-11.) Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia (2 Chronicles 9:14) and Tarshish (2 Chronicles 9:21), probably Tartessus, in Spain.

Searchest for her as for hid treasures.— From the great insecurity of life and property in Eastern countries, the hiding of treasures in the earth has always been of frequent occurrence. It would often, no doubt, happen that the owner would die without disclosing the place of concealment to any one else, and the treasure would thus be lost. Hunting after such hoards has, in consequence, always been of the keenest interest to Orientals, and as such furnishes the groundwork for one of our Lord’s parables (Matthew 13:44).

Find the knowledge of God. —It is the highest of all gifts, even eternal life itself, to know God, the Giver of all good things. It was to bestow this knowledge on humanity that Christ came into the world (John 17:3). He promises (Proverbs 14:21) the manifestation of Himself as the reward of obedience and love.

And yet our highest knowledge of God in this life must be so imperfect, in comparison with the knowledge of Him in the life to come, when we shall see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), that St. Paul (Galatians 4:9) describes our relation to Him now as better expressed by being known of Him: that is, recognized, acknowledged by Him as His children, rather than by “knowing” Him.

For the Lord giveth wisdom. — As St. James (Proverbs 1:5) expresses it, He gives it to every man liberally, and upbraideth not: i.e., blames him not for asking it.

Sound wisdom.— Literally, furtherance, advancement (Compare to “Whosoever hath, unto him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance,”Matthew 13:12).