New King James Version
Proverbs 6:23
23For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
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 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 continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. 25Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
Read all of Proverbs 6Proverbs 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 statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
- Psalms 119:98You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
- Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
- 2 Peter 1:19And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
- Revelation 2:5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
- Proverbs 5:12And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!
- Proverbs 15:31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
- Proverbs 29:15The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
- Leviticus 19:17‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
- Psalms 141:5Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
- Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.
- Proverbs 4:4He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.
- Proverbs 15:24The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
- Jeremiah 21:8“Now you shall say to this people, ‘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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries