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:
• 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,
• New Living Translation (NLT)For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.

Context of Proverbs 6:23

21Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. 22When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, 24keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman. 25Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.

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, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
• Psalms 119:98Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
• Isaiah 8:20Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
• 2 Peter 1:19We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
• Revelation 2:5Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
• Proverbs 5:12You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
• Proverbs 15:31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
• Proverbs 29:15A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
• Leviticus 19:17“ ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
• Psalms 141:5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
• Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
• Proverbs 4:4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
• Proverbs 15:24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
• Jeremiah 21:8“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting 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