For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
Parallel translations
- WEB For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- KJV For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
- NKJV For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- NASB For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And rebukes for discipline are the way of life
- NLT For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God's commandment is a lamp and His law a light, and correction is the path of life. His instruction illumines the way to live.
Overview
The father grounds his appeal in the truth that divine command and teaching give light for living, while reproof leads to life. This anticipates Psalm 119's praise of God's word as a lamp to the feet. Ultimately it points to Christ, the light of the world, in whom the law's purpose finds its fullness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ps 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- 2 Pet 1:19We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
- Ps 19:8The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
- Prov 15:31He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Prov 4:13Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
- Prov 4:4he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
- Jer 21:8Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
- Prov 29:15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
- Ps 141:5Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
- Prov 15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
- Ps 119:98–100Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.
- Rev 2:5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
- Prov 3:18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
- Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
- Lev 19:17You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
- Prov 5:12and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 6:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.