The Meaning of Proverbs 2:21 Explained

Proverbs 2:21

KJV: For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

YLT: For the upright do inhabit the earth, And the perfect are left in it,

Darby: For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it;

ASV: For the upright shall dwell in the land, And the perfect shall remain in it.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For the upright  shall dwell  in the land,  and the perfect  shall remain  in it. 

What does Proverbs 2:21 Mean?

Study Notes

perfect
.
The word implies whole-heartedness for God, single-mindedness, sincerity -- not sinless perfection.

Context Summary

Proverbs 2:1-22 - Wisdom Guards From Evil
Several words are reiterated in this chapter, which will unlock its treasures. Understanding, Proverbs 2:2-3; Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 2:9; Proverbs 2:11. If wisdom is a moral quality, leading to intuitive knowledge, understanding may be taken to include something of a prophetic strain. Understanding gathers up and makes use of the results of observation and experience, whether of oneself or of others.
Notice also the word walk, Proverbs 2:7; Proverbs 2:13; way, Proverbs 2:8; Proverbs 2:12-13; Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 2:20; paths, Proverbs 2:8; Proverbs 2:13; Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 2:18-20. See how eager the Divine Teacher is (l) to deliver the unwary from the way of the evil man, Proverbs 2:12, and from the way of the evil woman, Proverbs 2:16; and (2) to direct the feet of the young into the ways of the good and into the paths of the righteous, Proverbs 2:20. The path of safety and permanence is that in which we are perpetually conscious of the presence of the Master, Christ. He is the unseen companion of the soul in its difficult and perilous pilgrimage; and we may, in that companionship, appropriate the buckler of Proverbs 2:7, the integrity of Proverbs 2:8, and the stability of Proverbs 2:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 2

1  wisdom promises godliness to her children
10  and safety from evil company
20  and direction in good ways

What do the individual words in Proverbs 2:21 mean?

For the upright will dwell in the land and the blameless will remain in it
כִּֽי־ יְשָׁרִ֥ים יִשְׁכְּנוּ‪‬‪‬ אָ֑רֶץ וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים יִוָּ֥תְרוּ בָֽהּ

יְשָׁרִ֥ים  the  upright 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: יָשָׁר 
Sense: straight, upright, correct, right.
יִשְׁכְּנוּ‪‬‪‬  will  dwell  in 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁכַן  
Sense: to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside.
אָ֑רֶץ  the  land 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים  and  the  blameless 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: תָּמִים  
Sense: complete, whole, entire, sound.
יִוָּ֥תְרוּ  will  remain 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָתַר  
Sense: to be left over, remain, remain over, leave.
בָֽהּ  in  it 
Parse: Preposition, third person feminine singular