Proverbs 6:23

Proverbs 6:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
• New International Version (NIV)For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

Context of Proverbs 6:23

21Bind them continually upon your heart (in your thoughts), And tie them around your neck. 22When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you; When you sleep, they will keep watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life, 24To keep you from the evil woman, From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman. 25Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.

Proverbs 6:23 word by word

כִּ֤י נֵ֣ר מִ֭צְוָה וְת֣וֹרָה א֑וֹר וְדֶ֥רֶךְ חַ֝יִּ֗ים תּוֹכְח֥וֹת מוּסָֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For the commandmentמִצְוָהmitsvâh · commandmentH4687
• a lampנֵרnîyr nir nêyr nêr nêrâh · lampH5216
• and the lawתּוֹרָהtôrâh tôrâh · instructionH8451
• lightאוֹר'ôr · lightH216
• and reproofsתּוֹכַ֫חַתtôkêchâh tôkachath · argumentH8433
• of instructionמוּסָרmûsâr · disciplineH4148
• the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• of lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416

Cross-references for Proverbs 6:23

• Psalms 19:8The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
• Psalms 119:98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For Your words are always with me.
• Isaiah 8:20[Direct those people] to the law and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is because they have no dawn.
• 2 Peter 1:19So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.
• Revelation 2:5So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent.
• Proverbs 5:12And you say, “How I hated instruction and discipline, And my heart despised correction and reproof!
• Proverbs 15:31The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain among the wise.
• Proverbs 29:15The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
• Leviticus 19:17‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
• Psalms 141:5Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.
• Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
• Proverbs 4:4He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live.
• Proverbs 15:24The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.
• Jeremiah 21:8“And to this people you (Jeremiah) shall also say, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.

Commentaries on Proverbs 6:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23For the commandment is a lamp - It illuminates our path. It shows us how we should walk and praise God. And the law is light - A general light, showing the nature and will of God, and the interest and duty of Man. And reproofs of instruction - Or, that instruction which reproves us for our sins and errors leads us into the way of life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Compare Psalm 119:105.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-35Verses 20-35 The word of God has something to say to us upon all occasions. Let not faithful reproofs ever make us uneasy. When we consider how much this sin abounds, how heinous adultery is in its own nature, of what evil consequence it is, and how certainly it destroys the spiritual life in the soul, we shall not wonder that the cautions against it are so often repeated. Let us notice the subjects of this chapter. Let us remember Him who willingly…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-35This passage highlights the serious danger of having a relationship with another man's wife (see also Proverbs 1:8, 23; 2:16–22; 5:1–23; 7:1–27).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2320-23. (Compare Pr 1:8; 3:3, &c.).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 6:23

• Children
• Light
• Word of God
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Hunt
• Lamp
• Lust
• Naughtiness
• Suddenly
• Teach
• Education
• Hezekiah (2)
• James, Epistle of
• Lamp; Lampstand

Commentaries on Proverbs 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings