who abandons the partner of her youth
This phrase refers to a woman who leaves her husband, whom she married in her youth. In ancient Israel, marriages were often arranged at a young age, and the bond between husband and wife was considered sacred and binding. The "partner of her youth" implies a long-standing relationship, emphasizing the gravity of abandoning such a commitment. This concept is echoed in Malachi 2:14, where God condemns the breaking of marriage vows. The imagery of a youthful partner also highlights the innocence and purity of the initial relationship, making the act of abandonment more poignant.

and forgets the covenant of her God
The "covenant of her God" refers to the sacred vows made before God during the marriage ceremony. In the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, marriage was not only a social contract but also a divine covenant. Forgetting this covenant implies a deliberate turning away from God's commandments and the moral obligations that come with them. This phrase underscores the seriousness of covenant-breaking, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in Hosea's depiction of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The covenantal language also points to the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness and the expectation of His people to remain faithful in return.

1. The Partner of Her Youth
This phrase refers to the spouse or husband that a woman marries in her younger years. In the context of ancient Israel, marriage was a covenantal relationship, deeply rooted in commitment and faithfulness.

2. The Covenant of Her God
This refers to the sacred agreement or promise made before God, often symbolizing the marriage vows. In the Hebrew context, covenants were solemn and binding, involving God as a witness and enforcer of the agreement.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding, warning against the dangers of unfaithfulness and folly.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and religious backdrop of Proverbs, where marriage was not only a personal commitment but also a community and religious covenant.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes teachings on how to live a life pleasing to God, emphasizing moral and ethical conduct.The Sanctity of Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant before God, not just a social contract. It requires commitment, faithfulness, and mutual respect.

The Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Abandoning one's spouse and breaking the marriage covenant leads to spiritual and relational consequences. It is a departure from God's design and wisdom.

The Role of Wisdom in Relationships
Wisdom guides us to honor our commitments and live in a way that reflects God's faithfulness. Seeking wisdom helps us maintain healthy and godly relationships.

The Importance of Remembering Covenants
Forgetting the covenant with God leads to moral and spiritual decline. Regularly renewing our commitment to God and our spouse is crucial.

God as the Witness of Covenants
God is an active witness in our covenants, holding us accountable. Recognizing His presence in our commitments encourages us to uphold them with integrity.(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.)

Verse 17. - The guide of her youth (נְעוּרֶיהָ אַלּוּפ, alluph n'ureyah); properly, the associate or companion of her youth. The Hebrew, אָלּוּפ (alluph), being derived from the root אָלַפ, (alaph), "to accustom one's self to," or "to be accustomed to" or "familiar with" anyone. The word is rendered as "friend" in Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 16:28; Micah 7:5. The idea of guidance, which is adopted in the Authorized Version, and appears also in the Vulgate dux. and Targum ducatus, is a secondary idea, and is derived probably from the relation in which the husband stands to his wife. Various interpretations have been given to the expression. It occurs again in Jeremiah 3:4, where Jehovah applies it to himself, and says, through his prophet, to the religiously adulterous Judah, "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the Guide of my youth (אַלּוּפ נְעֻרי, alluph n'ura)?" It has also been understood as referring to the woman's parents, her father and mother, who were her natural guardians. But the context seems to require that it should be taken as designating her husband. It will then be the correlative of "the wife of thy youth" of Malachi 2:14. The covenant of her God; i.e. the marriage covenant, called "the covenant of her God," because entered into in his presence. The forsaking of the guide of her youth is essentially bound up with a forgetfulness of the solemn covenant which she had entered into in the presence of God. No specific mention is made in the Pentateuch of any religious ceremony at marriage; yet we may infer, from Malachi 2:14, 15, where God is spoken of as "a Witness" between the husband and "the wife of his youth," "the wife of thy covenant," that the marriage contract was solemnized with sacred rites. The Proverbs thus give a high and sacred character to marriage, and so carry on the original idea of the institution which, under the gospel dispensation, developed late the principle of the indissolubility of the marriage tie. It is no objection to this view that the monogamic principle was infringed, and polygamy countenanced. The reason of this latter departure is given in Deuteronomy 22:28 and Exodus 22:16. The morality of the Proverbs always represents monogamy as the rule, it deprecates illicit intercourse, and discountenances divorce. It is in entire accordance with the seventh commandment. The woman who commits adultery offends, not only against her husband, but against her God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


who abandons
הַ֭עֹזֶבֶת (ha·‘ō·ze·ḇeṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

the partner
אַלּ֣וּף (’al·lūp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 441: Familiar, a friend, gentle, a bullock, a chieftain

of her youth
נְעוּרֶ֑יהָ (nə·‘ū·re·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons

and forgets
שָׁכֵֽחָה׃ (šā·ḵê·ḥāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

the covenant
בְּרִ֖ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of her God.
אֱלֹהֶ֣יהָ (’ĕ·lō·he·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 2:17 Who forsakes the friend of her youth (Prov. Pro Pr)