For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Parallel translations
- WEB For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- BSB For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to 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 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- 2 Pet 1:19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
- Ps 19:8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
- Prov 15:31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
- Prov 4:13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
- Prov 4:4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
- Jer 21:8And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
- Prov 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
- Ps 141:5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
- Prov 15:24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
- Ps 119:98–100Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
- Rev 2:5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
- Prov 3:18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
- Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
- Lev 19:17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
- Prov 5:12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
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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
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