Proverbs 6:23

For the commandments ¹  are like ²  a lamp, ³  instruction is like a light, and rebukes of discipline are like ⁴  the road leading to life, ⁵ 

Le 19:17; Ps 19:8; Ps 119:98-100,105; Ps 141:5; Pr 3:18; Pr 4:4,13; Pr 5:12; Pr 15:24; Pr 15:31; Pr 29:15; Isa 8:20; Jer 21:8; 2Pe 1:19; Re 2:5

¹ tn Heb “the commandment” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV).

² tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.

³ sn The terms “lamp,” “light,” and “way” are all metaphors. The positive teachings and commandments will illumine or reveal to the disciple the way to life; the disciplinary correctives will provide guidance into fullness of life.

⁴ tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.

⁵ tn Heb “the way of life” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV); NIV, NLT “the way to life.” The noun “life” is a genitive following the construct “way.” It could be an attributive genitive modifying the kind of way/course of life that instruction provides, but it could also be objective in that the course of life followed would produce and lead to life.