English Standard Version
Proverbs 2:17
17who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God;
Proverbs 2:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
- New International Version (NIV)who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.
- New Living Translation (NLT)She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God.
Context of Proverbs 2:17
15men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. 16So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; 19none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.
Read all of Proverbs 2Proverbs 2:17 word by word
הַ֭עֹזֶבֶת אַלּ֣וּף נְעוּרֶ֑יהָ וְאֶת־בְּרִ֖ית אֱלֹהֶ֣יהָ שָׁכֵֽחָה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 2:17
- Proverbs 5:18Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
- Jeremiah 3:4Have you not just now called to me, 'My father, you are the friend of my youth—
- Ezekiel 16:8"When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine.
- Malachi 2:14But you say, "Why does he not?" Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
Commentaries on Proverbs 2:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Which forsaketh the guide of her youth - Leaves her father's house and instructions, and abandons herself to the public. The covenant of her God - Renounces the true religion, and mixes with idolaters; for among them prostitution was enormous. Or by the covenant may be meant the matrimonial contract, which is a covenant made in the presence of God between the contracting parties, in which they bind themselves to be faithful to each other.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The guide of her youth - Better, the familiar friend (compare Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 17:9). The “friend” is, of course, the husband, or the man to whom the strange woman first belonged as a recognized concubine. Compare Jeremiah 3:4 The covenant of her God - The sin of the adulteress is not against man only but against the Law of God, against His covenant. The words point to some religious formula of espousals. Compare Malachi 2:14.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-22Verses 10-22 If we are truly wise, we shall be careful to avoid all evil company and evil practices. When wisdom has dominion over us, then it not only fills the head, but enters into the heart, and will preserve, both against corruptions within and temptations without. The ways of sin are ways of darkness, uncomfortable and unsafe: what fools are those who leave the plain, pleasant, lightsome paths of uprightness, to walk in such ways! They take pleasure…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17An immoral woman has left her husband to pursue another man. Her marriage vows before God included promises of faithfulness (see Malachi 2:14–16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1916-19. Deliverance from another danger. the strange woman--This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jud 11:1, 2), married (Pr 7:5, 19) or not (1Ki 11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though "strange" may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as "strange fire" (Nu 3:4); "strange incense" (Ex 30:9). flattereth--literally, "smooths." her words--(Psa 5:9).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 2:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 2
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries