Proverbs Chapter 2 verse 8 Holy Bible

ASV Proverbs 2:8

That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.
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BBE Proverbs 2:8

He keeps watch on the ways which are right, and takes care of those who have the fear of him.
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DARBY Proverbs 2:8

guarding the paths of just judgment and keeping the way of his godly ones.
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KJV Proverbs 2:8

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
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WBT Proverbs 2:8


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WEB Proverbs 2:8

That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.
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YLT Proverbs 2:8

To keep the paths of judgment, And the way of His saints He preserveth.
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - He keepeth the paths of judgment. This verse is explanatory of the latter hemistich of ver. 7, and points out more fully in what way God is a Protector of his saints. Some connect the Hebrew infinitive לִנְצור (lin'tsor), "to watch or keep," with "them that walk uprightly," and translate, "them that walk uprightly by keeping the paths of judgment;" but this is to transfer the idea of protection from God to such persons. The verb signifies specially "to defend, to preserve from danger," as in Proverbs 22:12, "The eyes of the Lind preserve knowledge; i.e. defend or protect it from danger." It is God who "keepeth the paths of judgment," as he alone has the power to do so. He watches over all that walk therein, guides, superin. tends, and protects them. The paths of judgment; or rather, justice, ךארְהות מִשְׁפָט (at'khoth mishpat). The abstract is here used for the concrete, and the phrase means "the paths of the just," i.e. the paths in which the just walk, or "those who walk justly" (Mercerus). This expression corresponds with "the way of his saints," just as "keep" and "preserve" are synonymous verbs, both meaning "to guard, keep safe, or protect." He preserveth the way of his saints. God does this (1) by his preventing grace, as in Psalm 66:9, "He suffereth not our feet to slip." Cf. Hannah's song, "He will keep the feet of his saints" (1 Samuel 2:9); (2) by angelic agency, as in Psalm 91:11, "He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways." The saints are ever under the watchful care and mighty protection of Jehovah. His saints (חֲסִידָו khasidav); i.e. the pious towards God, the godly, those in whose hearts the principles of sanctity have been implanted, and who cherish earnest inward love to God, and "walk righteously" and "speak uprightly" (Isaiah 33:15). It is remarkable that the word saints only occurs once (in this passage) in the Proverbs. During the period of the Maccabaean Wars, a party or sect, which aimed at ceremonial purity, claimed for themselves the title of Chasidim or Asidaeans (Ἀσιδαῖοι), as expressive of their piety or devotion. They are those whom Moses called "men of holiness," Exodus 22:31 (ואֲנְשֵׁיאּקֹדֶשׁ, v'an'shev-kodesh); cf. Psalm 89:5; Psalm 149:1; Psalm 89:8; Deuteronomy 33:3; Daniel 7:18, 22, 22, 25. Under the Christian dispensation, the saints are those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 5:1), and who are holy in all manner of conversation (1 Peter 1:25; 1 Macc. 2:42 1 Macc. 7:13; 2 Macc. 14:6); see Bishop Lightfoot, 'Colossians and Philemon,' diss. 2, p. 355.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) He keepeth the paths of judgment--i.e., protects those who walk in them.His saints.--Or rather, His ardent worshippers (chasidim), a term used in the Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 33:8) of the tribe of Levi, for their zeal in God's service (Exodus 32), and of very frequent occurrence in the Psalter. The word "saint" rather implies dedication to God, as Israel was a "holy nation (Exodus 19:6) to God, and Christians (Philippians 1:1) are now in the same position. The term ch?sid, at the time of the Maccabees, was assumed by such "as were voluntarily devoted to the law" (1 Maccabees 2:42), in opposition to those who favoured the Greek religion and culture.