Proverbs 2:17
Proverbs 2:17 in Multiple Translations
who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
That forsaketh the friend of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God:
Who is false to the husband of her early years, and does not keep the agreement of her God in mind:
Such a woman has left her husband she married when she was young, forgetting the promises she made before God.
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the couenant of her God.
Who is forsaking the guide of her youth, And the covenant of her God hath forgotten.
who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God;
Who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
And forsaketh the guide of her youth,
Those women have left the husbands whom they married when they were young; they have disregarded the solemn promise they made to God not to commit adultery.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 2:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 2:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ֭/עֹזֶבֶת
אַלּ֣וּף
נְעוּרֶ֑י/הָ
וְ/אֶת
בְּרִ֖ית
אֱלֹהֶ֣י/הָ
שָׁכֵֽחָה
הַ֭/עֹזֶבֶת
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
Art | V-Qal
אַלּ֣וּף
ʼallûwph
H441
tame
Adj
נְעוּרֶ֑י/הָ
nâʻûwr
H5271
youth
N-cp | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs
אֱלֹהֶ֣י/הָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
שָׁכֵֽחָה
shâkach
H7911
to forget
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 2:17
הַ֭/עֹזֶבֶת
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
Art | V-Qal
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
אַלּ֣וּף
ʼallûwph
H441
"tame"
Adj
A chief or leader is referred to as 'alluwph' in Hebrew. The word can also mean friend or governor. It describes someone in a position of authority or guidance.
Definition: 1) tame, docile 2) friend, intimate
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: captain, duke, (chief) friend, governor, guide, ox. See also: Genesis 36:15; 1 Chronicles 1:52; Psalms 55:14.
נְעוּרֶ֑י/הָ
nâʻûwr
H5271
"youth"
N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the state of being young or a group of young people, as seen in Isaiah 47:12. It describes a stage of life, like childhood or adolescence. This concept is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:19.
Definition: youth, early life Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: childhood, youth. See also: Genesis 8:21; Isaiah 54:6; Psalms 25:7.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּרִ֖ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
אֱלֹהֶ֣י/הָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
שָׁכֵֽחָה
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
Study Notes — Proverbs 2:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 2:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 2:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 2:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 2:17
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 2:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 2:17
Context — The Benefits of Wisdom
15whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious.
16It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words
17who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.
18For her house sinks down to death, and her tracks to the departed spirits. 19None who go to her return or negotiate the paths of life.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 16:59–60 | For this is what the Lord GOD says: I will deal with you according to your deeds, since you have despised the oath by breaking the covenant. But I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 16:8 | Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 3:4 | Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth. |
| 4 | Proverbs 5:18 | May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: |
| 5 | Malachi 2:14–16 | Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. |
Proverbs 2:17 Summary
This verse is talking about a woman who leaves her husband and forgets about her promises to God. It's a warning about the dangers of being unfaithful and rejecting God's laws. Just like in Ephesians 5:25-33, where husbands are called to love their wives, we are all called to be faithful to our commitments and to God. By remembering our covenant with God and prioritizing our relationship with Him, we can avoid the temptations and consequences described in this verse, and instead follow the path of wisdom and life, as seen in Proverbs 2:16 and Proverbs 5:1-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to abandon the partner of her youth?
This phrase refers to a spouse, likely in the context of marriage, where one partner leaves or forsakes the other, as seen in Malachi 2:14-15, where God hates divorce and values faithfulness in marriage.
What is the covenant of her God?
The covenant of her God refers to the vows and promises made to God, possibly in the context of marriage, as seen in Proverbs 5:15-20, where the husband is encouraged to rejoice in the wife of his youth, and in Ephesians 5:25-33, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church.
Why is it significant that she forgets the covenant of her God?
Forgetting the covenant of her God signifies a rejection of her spiritual commitments and a disregard for God's laws and principles, as seen in Psalm 78:10-11, where the Israelites forgot God's works and did not keep His covenant.
How does this verse relate to the warning against the forbidden woman in Proverbs 2:16?
This verse provides further description of the forbidden woman, highlighting her character and the consequences of her actions, serving as a warning to men to avoid her and instead follow the path of wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 2:16 and Proverbs 5:1-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be abandoning my own spiritual partner, such as my commitment to God or my church community?
- How can I prioritize my own covenant with God, and what are some practical steps I can take to remember and keep His promises?
- What are some temptations or distractions in my life that may be leading me away from my spiritual commitments, and how can I avoid them?
- How can I apply the warning in this verse to my own relationships, whether romantic or platonic, and what are some qualities of a healthy and godly relationship?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 2:17
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth,.... Not God, the God of her life, and who had provided for her from her youth up; nor her parent that had taken care of her in her infancy, and had been the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 2:17
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
The guide of her youth, to wit, her husband, whom she took to be her guide and governor, and that in her youth: which circumstance is added to aggravate her sin and shame, because love is commonly most sincere and fervent between a husband and wife of youth, as they are for that reason emphatically called, ,15. Forgetteth, i.e. violateth or breaketh, as that word is commonly used in a practical sense. The covenant of her God; the marriage covenant; so called, partly because God is the author and institutor of that society and mutual obligation; and partly because God is called to be the witness and judge of that solemn promise and covenant, and the avenger of the transgression of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
Proverbs 2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.Ver. 17. Which forsaketh the guide of her youth.] That is, Her husband; as Helena, Herodias, Bernice, and other odious harlots. Adulterium quasi ad alterum, vel ad alterius torum. This wanton never wants one, though her husband be ever so near. And forgetteth the covenant of her God.] Marriage is a mixed covenant, partly religious and partly civil: the parties tie themselves first to God, and then to one another. The bond is made to God, who also will be ready enough to take the forfeiture. For whores and adulteresses God will judge. Becman.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
(17) The guide of her youth.—Or rather, friend with whom she has lived in intimacy: that is, the husband of her youth; in other words, her first love. Jeremiah uses the same phrase (Proverbs 3:4). (Comp. “wife of thy youth,” Proverbs 5:18; Malachi 2:14.) Forgetteth the covenant of her God—i.e., the marriage covenant, made in the presence of God. (Comp. “wife of thy covenant,” Mal. l.c.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
Verse 17. Which forsaketh the guide of her youth] Leaves her father's house and instructions, and abandons herself to the public. The covenant of her God.] Renounces the true religion, and mixes with idolaters; for among them prostitution was enormous. Or by the covenant may be meant the matrimonial contract, which is a covenant made in the presence of God between the contracting parties, in which they bind themselves to be faithful to each other.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 2:17
17. the guide of her youth] or, friend, R.V. or, associate, i.e. her husband to whom she was married in her youth. See Jeremiah 3:4, where the same phrase occurs in the same sense. Comp. “wife of thy youth,” Proverbs 5:18; Malachi 2:14. covenant of her God] The marriage contract, which is of Divine origin and sanction (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). Comp. “the wife of thy covenant,” Malachi 2:14, and note there in this Series. To the tender memories of “the kindness of youth and the love of espousals” (Jeremiah 2:2) is added the binding force of “the vow and covenant betwixt them made.”
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 2:17
The guide of her youth - Better, the familiar friend (compare Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 17:9). The “friend” is, of course, the husband, or the man to whom the strange woman first belonged as a recognized concubine.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 2:17
17. Forsaketh the guide of her youth — The word rendered guide here means familiar friend or partner, and the weight of criticism inclines to the meaning, her husband. For “guide” the Septuagint has instruction.
Sermons on Proverbs 2:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Progress of Redemption #06 by David Shirley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of standing firm and being faithful to God until the end. He encourages the listeners to have a clear vision of God and the v |
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Ezekiel 16:8 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the transformation that God brings to our lives, illustrating how He took a lost and polluted people and made them beautiful through His covenant. He reminds |
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How to Bring Your Children to Christ by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and observations about the transformative power of God's word. He emphasizes the importance of having a fear of God and reco |
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(Godly Home) Part 25 - Joining the Next Generation by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, Brother Denny discusses the power of emotions and the importance of directing them towards the right person. He emphasizes the need for parents to be involved in th |
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Fiery Darts of Immorality by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of using sex to communicate the gospel. He mentions a group that taught girls how to use sex to evangelize and shares examples of gi |
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The Revolution of the Love / Die Revolution Der Liebe - Part 4 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories from their ministry experiences. The first story is about two women who found it difficult to receive encouragement because the speak |
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Cd Gv269 What the Bible Says About Sex by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and teaching about sex according to the Bible. He shares a personal anecdote about a young man who approached |