Proverbs 2:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

NIV: indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

NASB: For if you cry out for insight, And raise your voice for understanding;

CSB: furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,

NLT: Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

KJV: Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

NKJV: Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,

The mastery of knowledge, including the ability to pass that knowledge along, is what the book of Proverbs calls understanding. Understanding is the culmination of the learning process, and can only be accomplished after knowledge is retained and applied wisely.

According to this passage, then, part of virtuous living is seeking the ability to pass on knowledge to the next generation. This verse is Solomon's second "if" statement. The metaphor of calling out, raising one's voice, implies someone who is present to hear you. There are two sides to this effort: the person "calls out" in their effort to seek insight, and the information they receive is ultimately beneficial to others. The long-term goal is to bring others up in discernment and understanding.

Again, we see parallels to this idea in the parables of Jesus. Matthew 13:47–50 contains an example of fish, caught in a net, and then sorted into good and bad. This can only be done through discernment, by one who has mastered a certain level of skill in his profession. In the same way, knowledge needs to be sorted, according to practiced discernment, in order to succeed in virtuous living.

The first five verses of chapter 2 continue the main theme from chapter 1: wisdom. Wisdom was often featured as a crucial virtue by later philosophers, such as Plato. These verses contain an IF–THEN structure. Verses 1–4 make three distinct ''if'' statements about the proper use of knowledge. Verse 5 gives the outcome that is ''then'' enjoyed by following the instructions which have been given. The same principles are illustrated by some of Jesus' parables found in Matthew 13:44–52.

In Proverbs chapter 2, Solomon highlights various virtues, as well as provides encouragement to live a virtuous life. As in chapter 1, specific concepts wil reoccur, and are used in certain ways. Here, these are ideas such as courage, integrity, wisdom, and justice. The gist of this passage is the positive effect that virtue—including these various aspects—will have on one's life. In contrast, those who pursue non-virtuous living will suffer dire consequences.

The overarching theme of Proverbs chapter 2 is the relationship between virtue and discernment. As described here, virtuous living is moral living. As a person strives to live a moral life, he or she develops a greater ability to discern right from wrong. Further, beyond simple matters of right and wrong, as virtue grows within a person, he or she becomes more proficient at discerning trickier situations. Real life predicaments often present two or more seemingly valid options. Discernment, then, also includes determining which of many different options is actually best. Likewise, many life situations appear to offer only a variety of bad options. There, discernment is once again required, to determine which option presents the correct choice, or to recognize where a ''good'' option has been hidden.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.