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Proverbs 20:27
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- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
With a proverb of a light that was extinguished, Pro 20:20 began the group; the proverb of God's light, which here follows, we take as the beginning of a new group. 27 A candle of Jahve is the soul of man, Searching through all the chambers of the heart. If the O.T. language has a separate word to denote the self-conscious personal human spirit in contradistinction to the spirit of a beast, this word, according to the usage of the language, as Reuchlin, in an appendix to Aben Ezra, remarks, is נשׁמה; it is so called as the principle of life breathed immediately by God into the body (vid., at Gen 2:7; Gen 7:22). Indeed, that which is here said of the human spirit would not be said of the spirit of a beast: it is "the mystery of self-consciousness which is here figuratively represented" (Elster). The proverb intentionally does not use the word נפשׁ, for this is not the power of self-consciousness in man, but the medium of bodily life; it is related secondarily to nshmh (רוח), while נשׁמת חיים (רוח) is used, נפשׁ חיים is an expression unheard of. Hitzig is in error when he understands by נשׁמה here the soul in contradistinction to the spirit, and in support of this appeals to an expression in the Cosmography of Kazwni: "the soul (Arab. âl-nefs) is like the lamp which moves about in the chambers of the house;" here also en-nefs is the self-conscious spirit, for the Arab. and post-bibl. Heb. terminology influenced by philosophy reverses the biblical usage, and calls the rational soul נפשׁ, and, on the contrary, the animal soul נשׁמה, רוח (Psychologie, p. 154). חפשׂ is the particip. of חפּשׂ, Zep 1:12, without distinguishing the Kal and Piel. Regarding חדרי־בטן, lxx ταμιεῖα κοιλίας, vid., at Pro 18:8 : בּטן denotes the inner part of the body (R. בט, to be deepened), and generally of the personality; cf. Arab. bâtn âlrwh, the interior of the spirit, and Pro 22:18, according to which Fleischer explains: "A candle of Jahve, i.e., a means bestowed on man by God Himself to search out the secrets deeply hid in the spirit of another." But the candle which God has kindled in man has as the nearest sphere of illumination, which goes forth from it, the condition of the man himself - the spirit comprehends all that belongs to the nature of man in the unity of self-consciousness, but yet more: it makes it the object of reflection; it penetrates, searching it through, and seeks to take it up into its knowledge, and recognises the problem proposed to it, to rule it by its power. The proverb is thus to be ethically understood: the spirit is that which penetrates that which is within, even into its many secret corners and folds, with its self-testing and self-knowing light - it is, after Mat 6:22, the inner light, the inner eye. Man becomes known to himself according to his moral as well as his natural condition in the light of the spirit; "for what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" says Paul, Co1 2:11. With reference to this Solomonic proverb, the seven-branched candlestick is an ancient symbol of the soul, e.g., on the Jewish sepulchral monuments of the Roman vi Portuensis. Our texts present the phrase נר יהוה; but the Talm. Pesachim 7b, 8a, the Pesikta in part 8, the Midrash Othijoth de-Rabbi Akiba, under the letter נ, Alphasi (יף''ר) in Pesachim, and others, read נר אלהים; and after this phrase the Targum translates, while the Syr. and the other old versions render by the word "Lord" (Venet. ὀντωτής), and thus had יהוה before them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The spirit . . . Lord--Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare Pro 20:5; Pro 18:8, Pro 18:17; Co1 2:11).
John Gill Bible Commentary
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord,.... The rational soul of man is a light set up in him; this is what is commonly called the light of nature; it was a bright and burning light at first, but through sin is become a very feeble one; by which men have only a glimmering view of divine things, of God and his worship, and of what he would have done, or not done; by this light men do but grope after him, if happily they may find him and know his will; it is but like a candle light at best, in comparison of divine revelation, or the Gospel of the grace of God, which has shone out like the sun in its meridian glory; and especially in comparison of the sun of righteousness, Christ Jesus, and the light of the divine Spirit; yet this is a light set up by the Lord, a candle of his; it comes from the Father of lights, he is the author and maintainer of it; it is a spirit and understanding which is by the inspiration of the Almighty; see Gen 2:7; searching all the inward parts of the belly; or heart; the thoughts, intents, and purposes of it; which are the things of a man that only the spirit of man knows; by this candle, or light, he can look into his own heart, the inmost recesses of it, and reflect upon his thoughts and schemes, and judge in some measure whether right or wrong; there is a conscience in man, which, unless seared, passes sentence on what is in man, or done by him, and either excuses or accuses; see Co1 2:10, Rom 2:14.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here the dignity of the soul, the great soul of man, that light which lighteth every man. 1. It is a divine light; it is the candle of the Lord, a candle of his lighting, for it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives us understanding. He forms the spirit of man within him. It is after the image of God that man is created in knowledge. Conscience, that noble faculty, is God's deputy in the soul; it is a candle not only lighted by him, but lighted for him. The Father of spirits is therefore called the Father of lights. 2. It is a discovering light. By the help of reason we come to know men, to judge of their characters, and dive into their designs; by the help of conscience we come to know ourselves. The spirit of a man has a self-consciousness (Co1 2:11); it searches into the dispositions and affections of the soul, praises what is good, condemns what is otherwise, and judges of the thoughts and intents of the heart. This is the office, this the power, of conscience, which we are therefore concerned to get rightly informed and to keep void of offence.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit: God sees deep into people’s hearts (see 16:2).
Proverbs 20:27
Wine Is a Mocker
26A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. 27The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
A Friend of Sinners - Part 1
By David Wilkerson12K39:16PRO 20:27MAT 7:3GAL 6:1This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a searchable heart before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to continually search and reveal any hidden sins or areas needing correction. The speaker reflects on the need for focus and proper alignment with God's will, highlighting the significance of forgiveness, restoration, and love in ministry. The message underscores the spirit of compassion, restoration, and forgiveness as essential qualities for every believer, especially in times of increasing challenges and deception within the church.
Apostle Paul's Preaching - Part 2
By Leonard Ravenhill2.1K15:03PRO 20:27JHN 14:26ROM 1:14GAL 2:20GAL 5:16EPH 5:18PHP 1:13PHP 4:221TH 5:19This sermon emphasizes the power of faith and surrender to God, using the example of Paul's imprisonment and how his testimony impacted even those in high positions. It challenges listeners to live a life fully surrendered to God, seeking to magnify Christ in all circumstances, and to be faithful and obedient regardless of age or achievements.
Wholly Sanctified #2 - Spirit
By Stephen Kaung1.7K1:18:23SanctificationPRO 20:271TH 5:23In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of our spirit and the need to pay attention to it. He explains that the main functions of our spirit are communion, intuition, and conscience. Communion refers to our ability to communicate with God, which is re-established after we are saved. The preacher also highlights the importance of obeying the inner voice and teaching of our spirit, as it guides us in making righteous decisions. The sermon is based on biblical references such as 1 Timothy 4:8 and Romans 8.
A Clear Gospel Message - Part 3
By Zac Poonen1.5K09:30PRO 20:27JHN 14:6ROM 2:15ROM 3:231JN 1:8This sermon emphasizes the exclusive truth of Jesus Christ as the only way to God, challenging the idea of broad-mindedness in faith and highlighting the importance of recognizing Jesus as Almighty God who came to die for sinners. It addresses the need for individuals to acknowledge their sinfulness and approach Jesus as sinners rather than identifying with any religious label. The message also underscores the significance of preserving and heeding one's conscience as a vital gift from God, equating it to the eye of the heart that guides one in recognizing right from wrong.
How to Enter in the Spiritual Reality
By Manley Beasley1.2K40:40Spiritual RealityPRO 20:27MAT 13:58JHN 2:23ROM 3:23ROM 6:23ROM 8:161CO 2:11In this sermon, the preacher discusses the seven basic laws to entering into spiritual reality. He emphasizes the importance of having a vital relationship with God and maintaining fellowship with Him. The preacher also highlights the need to recognize Jesus as Lord and to know God on a personal level. He encourages the audience to seek a spiritual revival and to hunger for the reality of God in their lives.
Conscience - Part 1
By Dai Patterson1.0K00:00PRO 20:27MAT 6:33JHN 1:61CO 10:23In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a strong conscience tempered with the love of God. He explains that a strong conscience is not dominating or overbearing, but rather one that can bear the weaknesses of others. The speaker raises questions about the function and operation of conscience, as well as how it can be readjusted if it is wrong. He also acknowledges that there may be individuals in the audience with different types of consciences, such as legalistic or scrupulous ones. The sermon references Proverbs 20:27, which states that the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being. The speaker concludes by mentioning the schedule for the upcoming sessions, where he and another speaker will continue discussing the topic of conscience.
Conscience - Part 2
By Dai Patterson91100:00PRO 20:27MAT 5:14LUK 3:12JHN 1:8ROM 12:1PHP 2:25HEB 8:10In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing the word of God to transform our lives. He uses the analogy of giving someone something to eat, indicating that when we receive and internalize God's laws in our hearts and minds, it brings about a conscious and readjusted life. The speaker also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to have a profound impact on their generation. He mentions the healing power of God, particularly in relation to backsliding, and references the book of Jeremiah where God promises to heal Israel's backsliding. The speaker concludes by expressing the need for God to move in the current state of the world and emphasizes that God can use individuals as vehicles for His work.
As God Intended Man to Behave
By Major Ian Thomas1456:31Human SpiritFaith and ObediencePRO 20:27LUK 22:25JHN 14:30JHN 16:7ROM 14:23EPH 4:17HEB 9:14HEB 10:5HEB 11:6JAS 2:17Major Ian Thomas emphasizes that the unique human spirit allows man to receive the Holy Spirit, enabling divine behavior as intended by God. He explains that true faith is an attitude of total dependence on God, which is essential for pleasing Him and behaving as He intended. Thomas argues that without the Holy Spirit, man cannot fulfill his purpose and is left to function merely as an animal, devoid of divine influence. He stresses that faith must be active and expressed through obedience, as anything less is considered sin. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper understanding of faith and the necessity of the Holy Spirit in restoring humanity to its intended state.
Dirt In, Life Out, Light Off
By Major Ian Thomas121:11:35RedemptionSpiritual LifePRO 20:27ISA 64:6MRK 7:20JHN 14:6ROM 3:232CO 5:21EPH 4:17PHP 1:11COL 1:27TIT 3:5Major Ian Thomas emphasizes that the Christian life is not merely a religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is both the way to God and the life that sustains believers. He explains that while becoming a Christian is a momentary crisis of faith, being a Christian is an ongoing process of growth and transformation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Thomas illustrates this with the analogy of a lamp, which requires both cleansing (dirt out) and power (life in) to function properly, symbolizing the need for redemption and regeneration in the believer's life. He stresses that Jesus came to restore humanity to its intended function by reintroducing life to those who are spiritually dead. Ultimately, the sermon calls for believers to recognize their need for both the redemptive work of Christ and the ongoing presence of His life within them.
Studies in Esther - Part 3
By Major Ian Thomas523:38Divine Law vs. Human LawThe Role of the Holy SpiritGEN 41:40EST 3:8PRO 20:27ISA 26:3MAT 11:28JHN 1:4ACT 16:19ROM 3:1ROM 8:14GAL 4:4Major Ian Thomas explores the narrative of Esther, focusing on Haman's plot against the Jews and the significance of divine law versus human law. He emphasizes how Haman's rejection of the Jewish people and their divine law mirrors the struggle between the flesh and the spirit in humanity. Thomas draws parallels between Mordecai's role as a figure of the Holy Spirit and the need for divine intervention in the face of evil. He highlights the importance of adoption into God's family through the Holy Spirit, which allows believers to access the divine authority and peace that comes from Christ. Ultimately, the sermon illustrates the conflict between righteousness and wickedness, urging believers to seek the Christ rule in their lives.
Living Originally
By Ernest O'Neill0PSA 32:8PRO 20:27JHN 1:4ROM 2:151CO 2:15Ernest O'Neill preaches about the importance of listening to our conscience, which is a supernatural compass planted by God to guide us towards the unique and fulfilling life He has planned for us. By acknowledging our individuality and the unique contribution we were made to make to the universe, we can avoid becoming bored and unfulfilled by simply following the crowd. O'Neill emphasizes the significance of being true to ourselves and allowing Christ to work through our conscience to reveal the purpose He has for each of us.
Witnesses to Holiness
By Charles William Butler0PSA 119:11PRO 20:27ACT 1:8ROM 6:14EPH 3:201TH 5:232TI 1:7HEB 12:14JAS 4:81PE 1:16Charles William Butler preaches on the testimony of Brother John Garrick, emphasizing the importance of experiencing complete deliverance from sin through regeneration and entire sanctification. The sermon highlights the distinction between sin existing in our lives and sin reigning over us, pointing towards the work of God in removing sin from our innermost nature through sanctification. The experience of Christian Holiness leads to abiding victory, a deep love for the Bible, a sensitive conscience, spiritual empowerment, and a burning desire for revival. Various testimonies from historical figures like Lady Huntington, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley further affirm the transformative power of holiness in one's life.
Conscience, the Umpire of God
By George Kulp0PSA 139:23PRO 20:27ACT 24:16ROM 2:15ROM 14:22COL 3:231TI 1:5HEB 13:181PE 3:161JN 3:20George Kulp preaches on the power and significance of conscience, emphasizing its role as a witness, judge, and recorder of our actions and thoughts. He illustrates how conscience, being a faculty of the soul, is like a magic ring that warns us against sin and serves as God's umpire within us. Kulp highlights that an enlightened conscience aligns with God's will and Word, guiding us along His straight paths, and stresses the importance of maintaining a good conscience to avoid eternal condemnation.
Where Christendom Is Deceived
By T. Austin-Sparks0True WorshipSpirituality vs. MysticismPRO 20:27ROM 2:14T. Austin-Sparks addresses the critical distinction between mysticism and true spirituality, emphasizing that many in Christendom fail to recognize this difference. He illustrates how religious practices, while seemingly devout, can lead to spiritual death if they do not stem from a genuine relationship with God. Sparks warns against the dangers of relying on aesthetic experiences or ascetic practices, which do not equate to true spiritual life. He stresses that true spirituality is rooted in the spirit, characterized by conscience, communion, and intuition, and that it is through revelation and the new birth that one truly knows God. The sermon calls for a return to a faith-based walk in the Spirit, free from the trappings of human effort and religious imitation.
Internal Gyro-Compass
By Ernest O'Neill0PSA 139:13PRO 20:27JHN 16:13ACT 17:26ROM 2:14Ernest O'Neill delves into the essence of conscience, highlighting how our spirits enable us to communicate with the Supreme Being who created us. He emphasizes that our conscience, rooted in our spirit, guides us towards a higher purpose beyond the physical realm, reflecting a memory of God's image within us. O'Neill explains that conscience serves as a vital personal guidance system, unique to each individual, urging us to align our actions with what God intends for us, ultimately leading to a spiritual rebirth.
Lie or Reality?
By Ernest O'Neill0PRO 20:27JHN 1:4ROM 8:291CO 12:27EPH 2:10Ernest O'Neill preaches about the misconception of being alone in the world and striving for comfort and security to find happiness. He emphasizes that we are not mere chance creations but part of the Maker of the universe, with His life within us. Through biblical verses, he explains that we are designed by God for specific purposes and good works, predestined to be part of His Son's plan. O'Neill highlights the importance of allowing God to work through us, guiding us to fulfill our unique roles in His creation.
Epistle 244
By George Fox0PRO 4:18PRO 20:27LUK 15:8ROM 8:61CO 14:33GAL 5:131TI 6:41JN 2:161JN 4:8JUD 1:7REV 21:27George Fox preaches about the importance of staying true to the pure power of the Lord God and His truth, emphasizing the need to cleanse our hearts from impurities and disobedience to enter into God's kingdom. He warns against allowing wrong understanding, liberty, and defilement to take root in our hearts, urging believers to join to the pure immortal power of God. Fox also cautions against strife, fornication, pride, and conceitedness, encouraging believers to keep their bodies and minds pure vessels for the mercies of God.
God's Spy in the Heart
By Thomas Brooks0ConscienceAccountabilityPSA 139:1PRO 20:27ECC 12:14MAT 12:36JHN 8:9ROM 2:152CO 5:10GAL 6:7HEB 4:131JN 3:20Thomas Brooks emphasizes that conscience acts as God's spy within our hearts, serving as a personal tribunal that records our actions and thoughts. He illustrates how conscience functions as a witness, documenting every secret sin and wrongdoing, regardless of how well we try to conceal them. Brooks points out that even in the most hidden circumstances, conscience will ultimately reveal the truth and hold us accountable before God. The sermon highlights the inescapable nature of conscience, which serves as both a guide and a judge in our moral lives.
(I) the Gospel of God's Great Love - Part 11 (You Must Be Born Again)
By Robert Wurtz II0PRO 20:27ISA 4:5MAT 6:23GAL 5:22EPH 2:2Robert Wurtz II delves into the tripartite nature of man, explaining how man is a spirit living in a body, making him a living soul. The primary problem of man is being born spiritually dead, separated from God's Holy Spirit, which hinders reflecting God's nature. This spiritual problem originated in the Garden of Eden with the entrance of sin, leading to a darkness that fills the body, heart, and mind.
The Holy Place
By John Hames0EXO 34:29PSA 119:105PRO 20:27MAT 5:16JHN 8:122CO 3:18PHP 2:15HEB 6:41JN 1:7REV 10:8John Hames preaches on the significance of the tabernacle's two apartments, representing the two works of grace, and the articles within the holy place - the seven-pronged candlestick, table of shewbread, and golden altar of incense - symbolizing the Holy Ghost's role in revealing Christ. He emphasizes the importance of depending on the Holy Ghost for spiritual illumination rather than human knowledge, to avoid falling into unbelief and denial of Christ's deity. Hames highlights the transformative power of the Holy Ghost, making believers shine with God's light, and the necessity of walking in the light to maintain spiritual vitality and effectiveness in ministry.
Deduction or Induction?
By Ernest O'Neill0PRO 20:27MRK 2:8LUK 1:46JHN 14:261CO 2:11Ernest O'Neill discusses the concept of scientific thinking and the debate between inductive and deductive logic. He explores the idea that intuition, described in the Bible as a function of the human spirit conscious of the Creator, plays a significant role in human thought processes. O'Neill delves into biblical references that highlight the ability of our spirits to perceive things beyond the capabilities of our minds, emphasizing the importance of intuition in understanding deeper truths.
Conscience and Will
By Ernest O'Neill0PRO 20:27JHN 4:24ROM 8:161TH 5:23HEB 4:12Ernest O'Neill delves into the complexity of human personality, highlighting the layers of body, soul, and spirit, with the spirit being the innermost part that connects with the Creator. He emphasizes the importance of conscience, which has the ability to sense reality beyond intellect and self-consciousness, and how our spirits remember God's plan despite being dormant in most of us. O'Neill explains how aligning our minds and wills with God's eternal plan, as demonstrated through Jesus, can awaken our spirits and lead to a new dynamic relationship with God.
The New Salt and Light of Human Society
By F.B. Meyer0Influence of ChristiansPersecutionPRO 20:27EZK 15:2MAT 5:10JHN 5:35F.B. Meyer emphasizes the role of Christians as the 'salt and light' of society, highlighting that living a consistent and holy life will often lead to persecution, as the world resists the light that exposes wrongdoing. He encourages believers to maintain their 'saltness' to combat corruption and to shine brightly as a reflection of God's nature, warning against losing their influence. Meyer reassures that even in suffering, Christ walks alongside His faithful followers, and urges believers to be mindful of their impact on the world around them.
The Moral Person
By Olin Alfred Curtis0PRO 20:27ROM 2:151TI 1:5HEB 13:181PE 3:16Olin Alfred Curtis delves into the complexities of conscience, exploring how it guides individuals in distinguishing between right and wrong, feeling a sense of personal obligation to do what is right, and experiencing self-blame or moral content based on their actions. He emphasizes the importance of moral distinction, obligation, and settlement in shaping one's moral character and decision-making process, highlighting the inner spiritual tribunal that drives moral distress and self-blame. Curtis also discusses the impact of education on conscience, pointing out how moral judgment is influenced by one's educational environment and the need for a clear understanding of the intuitive notion of right and wrong.
The Things Which God Has Prepared for Those Who Love Him
By J.C. Philpot0PRO 2:3PRO 20:27JHN 3:121CO 2:9EPH 3:18J.C. Philpot preaches about the deep mysteries of God's divine truth, emphasizing that the things prepared for those who love God are beyond human comprehension and can only be revealed by the Spirit. He highlights the ignorance and insensitivity of many towards eternity, contrasting the infidel class, outwardly religious by circumstance, and those with a form of godliness but denying its power. Philpot delves into the character of those who love God, the prepared blessings like redemption and justification, the revelation of Christ and heavenly glory, and the Spirit's search into the deep things of God in a believer's heart.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
With a proverb of a light that was extinguished, Pro 20:20 began the group; the proverb of God's light, which here follows, we take as the beginning of a new group. 27 A candle of Jahve is the soul of man, Searching through all the chambers of the heart. If the O.T. language has a separate word to denote the self-conscious personal human spirit in contradistinction to the spirit of a beast, this word, according to the usage of the language, as Reuchlin, in an appendix to Aben Ezra, remarks, is נשׁמה; it is so called as the principle of life breathed immediately by God into the body (vid., at Gen 2:7; Gen 7:22). Indeed, that which is here said of the human spirit would not be said of the spirit of a beast: it is "the mystery of self-consciousness which is here figuratively represented" (Elster). The proverb intentionally does not use the word נפשׁ, for this is not the power of self-consciousness in man, but the medium of bodily life; it is related secondarily to nshmh (רוח), while נשׁמת חיים (רוח) is used, נפשׁ חיים is an expression unheard of. Hitzig is in error when he understands by נשׁמה here the soul in contradistinction to the spirit, and in support of this appeals to an expression in the Cosmography of Kazwni: "the soul (Arab. âl-nefs) is like the lamp which moves about in the chambers of the house;" here also en-nefs is the self-conscious spirit, for the Arab. and post-bibl. Heb. terminology influenced by philosophy reverses the biblical usage, and calls the rational soul נפשׁ, and, on the contrary, the animal soul נשׁמה, רוח (Psychologie, p. 154). חפשׂ is the particip. of חפּשׂ, Zep 1:12, without distinguishing the Kal and Piel. Regarding חדרי־בטן, lxx ταμιεῖα κοιλίας, vid., at Pro 18:8 : בּטן denotes the inner part of the body (R. בט, to be deepened), and generally of the personality; cf. Arab. bâtn âlrwh, the interior of the spirit, and Pro 22:18, according to which Fleischer explains: "A candle of Jahve, i.e., a means bestowed on man by God Himself to search out the secrets deeply hid in the spirit of another." But the candle which God has kindled in man has as the nearest sphere of illumination, which goes forth from it, the condition of the man himself - the spirit comprehends all that belongs to the nature of man in the unity of self-consciousness, but yet more: it makes it the object of reflection; it penetrates, searching it through, and seeks to take it up into its knowledge, and recognises the problem proposed to it, to rule it by its power. The proverb is thus to be ethically understood: the spirit is that which penetrates that which is within, even into its many secret corners and folds, with its self-testing and self-knowing light - it is, after Mat 6:22, the inner light, the inner eye. Man becomes known to himself according to his moral as well as his natural condition in the light of the spirit; "for what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" says Paul, Co1 2:11. With reference to this Solomonic proverb, the seven-branched candlestick is an ancient symbol of the soul, e.g., on the Jewish sepulchral monuments of the Roman vi Portuensis. Our texts present the phrase נר יהוה; but the Talm. Pesachim 7b, 8a, the Pesikta in part 8, the Midrash Othijoth de-Rabbi Akiba, under the letter נ, Alphasi (יף''ר) in Pesachim, and others, read נר אלהים; and after this phrase the Targum translates, while the Syr. and the other old versions render by the word "Lord" (Venet. ὀντωτής), and thus had יהוה before them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The spirit . . . Lord--Men's minds are God's gifts, and thus able to search one another (compare Pro 20:5; Pro 18:8, Pro 18:17; Co1 2:11).
John Gill Bible Commentary
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord,.... The rational soul of man is a light set up in him; this is what is commonly called the light of nature; it was a bright and burning light at first, but through sin is become a very feeble one; by which men have only a glimmering view of divine things, of God and his worship, and of what he would have done, or not done; by this light men do but grope after him, if happily they may find him and know his will; it is but like a candle light at best, in comparison of divine revelation, or the Gospel of the grace of God, which has shone out like the sun in its meridian glory; and especially in comparison of the sun of righteousness, Christ Jesus, and the light of the divine Spirit; yet this is a light set up by the Lord, a candle of his; it comes from the Father of lights, he is the author and maintainer of it; it is a spirit and understanding which is by the inspiration of the Almighty; see Gen 2:7; searching all the inward parts of the belly; or heart; the thoughts, intents, and purposes of it; which are the things of a man that only the spirit of man knows; by this candle, or light, he can look into his own heart, the inmost recesses of it, and reflect upon his thoughts and schemes, and judge in some measure whether right or wrong; there is a conscience in man, which, unless seared, passes sentence on what is in man, or done by him, and either excuses or accuses; see Co1 2:10, Rom 2:14.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here the dignity of the soul, the great soul of man, that light which lighteth every man. 1. It is a divine light; it is the candle of the Lord, a candle of his lighting, for it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives us understanding. He forms the spirit of man within him. It is after the image of God that man is created in knowledge. Conscience, that noble faculty, is God's deputy in the soul; it is a candle not only lighted by him, but lighted for him. The Father of spirits is therefore called the Father of lights. 2. It is a discovering light. By the help of reason we come to know men, to judge of their characters, and dive into their designs; by the help of conscience we come to know ourselves. The spirit of a man has a self-consciousness (Co1 2:11); it searches into the dispositions and affections of the soul, praises what is good, condemns what is otherwise, and judges of the thoughts and intents of the heart. This is the office, this the power, of conscience, which we are therefore concerned to get rightly informed and to keep void of offence.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit: God sees deep into people’s hearts (see 16:2).