to receive instruction
The Hebrew word for "instruction" is "mûsār," which implies discipline, correction, and moral training. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this was not merely academic learning but a comprehensive approach to character development. The idea of "receiving" suggests an openness and willingness to be taught, a posture of humility that is essential for spiritual growth. This phrase emphasizes the importance of being teachable and receptive to God's wisdom, which is foundational for a life that honors Him.

in wise living
The phrase "wise living" translates the Hebrew word "śāḵal," which means to act prudently or to have insight. This is not just intellectual knowledge but practical wisdom that guides daily life. In the biblical context, wisdom is deeply connected to the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7), suggesting that true wisdom begins with a reverent relationship with God. Wise living is about making choices that reflect God's character and purposes, leading to a life that is both fulfilling and pleasing to Him.

in righteousness
"Righteousness" in Hebrew is "ṣedeq," which refers to being in right standing with God and others. It encompasses moral integrity, justice, and ethical behavior. In the biblical narrative, righteousness is often associated with God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for His people to reflect His holiness. This phrase calls believers to live in a way that aligns with God's standards, demonstrating His justice and love in their interactions with others.

justice
The Hebrew word for "justice" is "mišpāṭ," which involves fairness, judgment, and the proper ordering of society. In the ancient world, justice was a central concern, as it is today, and it was seen as a reflection of God's character. The call to justice is a call to advocate for the vulnerable, to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and fairness. This phrase challenges believers to be agents of God's justice in a world that often falls short of His ideals.

and equity
"Equity" is translated from the Hebrew word "mešārîm," which means uprightness or fairness. It conveys the idea of evenness and impartiality, ensuring that all people are treated equally and without bias. In the biblical context, equity is a reflection of God's impartial nature and His desire for His people to act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8). This phrase encourages believers to pursue fairness in all their dealings, reflecting God's heart for justice and equality.

(3) To receive the instruction of wisdom.--To take in, or appropriate, the "discipline" which results in "prudence" (hask?l) or practical wisdom; so David "behaved himself wisely" (1Samuel 18:5).

Equity.--Literally, what is straight, so true, honest.

Verse 3. - To receive the instruction of wisdom. This verse carries on the statement of the design of the Proverbs. To receive; Hebrew, לְקַחַת (lakakhath), not the same word as "to know" (לָדַּעַת), in ver. 2, though regarded as synonymous with it by Delitzsch. Its meaning is well represented by the LXX. δέξασθαι, and the Authorized Version "to receive." The Hebrew, לָקַחַת, is infinitive, and means properly "to take, or lay hold of," hence "to receive," Greek, δέχομαι, No doubt it conveys the idea of intellectual reception (cf. Proverbs 2:1). The instruction of wisdom; Hebrew, מוּסַר הַשְׂכֵּל (musar has'kel); i.e. the discipline or moral training which leads on to reason, intelligence, or wisdom (as Hitzig, Fuerst, Zockler); or discipline full of insight, discernment, or thoughtfulness (as Umbreit, Ewald, Delitzsch). The phrase does not mean the wisdom which instruction imparts. The word musar occurs here in a slightly different sense from its use in ver. 2; there it is objective, here its meaning as a medium for the attainment of wisdom is more distinctly brought out. Wisdom (haskel) is properly "thoughtfulness" (so Umbreit. Ewald, Delitzsch, Plumptre). It is strictly the infinitive absolute of שָׂכַל (sakal), "to entwine or involve," and as a substantive it stands for the thinking through of a subject, so "thoughtfulness." The LXX. renders this sentence, δέξασθαί τε στροφὰς, which St. Jerome understands as "versutias sermonum et solutiones aenigmatum" ("the cunning or craftiness of words and the explication of enigmas"). Justice, and judgment, and equity. These words seem to be the unfolding of the meaning contained in the expression, "the instruction of wisdom." Holden regards the last four words as objective genitives dependent on "instruction," but wrongly. Cornelius a Laplde states that "justice and judgment and equity" indicate the same thing in different aspects. "Justice stands for the thing itself - that which is just; judgment in respect of right reason, which says it is just; and equity in respect of its being agreeable to the Law of God." Justice; Hebrew, צֶדֶק (tsedek), from the root צָדַק (tsadak), "to be right, or straight;" in a moral sense it means "rectitude," "right," as in Isaiah 15:2 (Gesenius). The underlying idea is that of straightness. Heidenheim, quoted by Delitzsch, maintains that in tsedek the conception of the justum prevails; but the latter enlarges its meaning, and holds that it also has the idea of a mode of thought and action regulated, not by the letter of the Law, but by love, as in Isaiah 41:2; Isaiah 42:6. Plumptre thinks "righteousness" would be a better translation of the word, on the ground that the Hebrew includes the ideas of truth and beneficence. Compare with this the LXX. δικαιοσύνη. Zockler also renders "righteousness," i.e. "that which is in accord with the will and ordinances of God as Supreme Judge." In the Authorized Version, in Proverbs 2:9, where we have the same collocation of words, tsedek is translated "righteousness;" cf. Proverbs 12:17, "He who utters truth shows forth righteousness (tsedek)." Judgment; Hebrew, מְשְׁפָּט (mish'pat), from the root שָׁפַּט (shapat), "to adjust, judge," corresponds with the Hebrew in meaning; it is the delivery of a correct judgment on human actions. Compare the LXX. κρίμα κατευθύνειν. Equity; i.e. rectitude in thought and action (Delitzsch), or integrity (Zockler). This quality expresses upright demeanour or honoumble action on one's own part individually, while "judgment" has regard both to our own and the actions of others. The Hebrew, mesharim (מֵשָׁרִים), used only in the plural, is from the root יָשַׁר (yashar), "to be straight or even," and is equal to "uprightness." The plural form is reproduced in the marginal reading "equities;" comp. Psalm 17:2, "Let thine eyes beheld the things that are equal (mesharim)." The Vulgate reads aequitas and the Syriae rectitudo. The two ideas in judgment and equity appear to be expressed in the LXX. by the phrase. κρίμα κατευθύνειν.

Parallel Commentaries ...


to receive
לָ֭קַחַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

instruction
מוּסַ֣ר (mū·sar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4148: Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint

in wise living,
הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל (haś·kêl)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

in righteousness,
צֶ֥דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

justice,
וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט (ū·miš·pāṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

and equity,
וּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃ (ū·mê·šā·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4339: Evenness, prosperity, concord, straightness, rectitude


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 1:3 To receive instruction in wise dealing (Prov. Pro Pr)