Bible Strands
Proverbs 6:23
For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A father addresses his son, in the middle of describing how the commandment will be present at every hour: walking, lying down, waking (v.22). The verse is the theological pivot explaining why the commandment is so persistent.
The words — נֵר (ner) is a lamp, a small contained flame; תּוֹכְחוֹת (tokhokhot) is the plural of "rebuke," the sharpest word in the triad, naming discipline as correction rather than comfort.
The thread — The lamp-and-light pairing recurs in Psalms 119:105 and Psalms 19:8; 2 Peter 1:19 extends the image to the prophetic word as a lamp in a dark place.
Why it lands — The verse binds commandment, teaching, and reproof into a single package called "the way to life." It asks the reader to accept the reproof along with the light, not to keep the lamp and discard the correction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Cross-references
- Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- 2 Peter 1:19 We 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.
- Psalms 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
- Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Proverbs 4:13 Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
- Proverbs 4:4 he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
- Jeremiah 21:8 Furthermore, 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.
- Psalms 119:98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.
- Psalms 141:5 Let 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.
- Proverbs 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.