Proverbs 13:14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Original Language Analysis
תּוֹרַ֣ת
The law
H8451
תּוֹרַ֣ת
The law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
1 of 7
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
מְק֣וֹר
is a fountain
H4726
מְק֣וֹר
is a fountain
Strong's:
H4726
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
חַיִּ֑ים
of life
H2416
חַיִּ֑ים
of life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
4 of 7
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
Cross References
Psalms 18:5The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.Proverbs 10:11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.Proverbs 14:27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.Psalms 116:3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.Proverbs 16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Historical Context
In arid Palestine, springs and fountains meant survival. Desert travelers could die without water sources. Cities were built near springs (Jerusalem's Gihon Spring). The fountain of life metaphor would resonate powerfully—wisdom provides what's essential for survival. Death's snares included not only physical dangers but spiritual ones: idolatry, covenant-breaking, false wisdom from neighboring cultures. True wisdom—rooted in fearing the LORD—was Israel's fountain of life.
Questions for Reflection
- From what sources are you drawing 'water'—wisdom from God's Word or broken cisterns of worldly philosophy?
- What specific 'snares of death' are you facing, and how can God's wisdom help you avoid them?
- How does Jesus as the fountain of living water (John 4:14) satisfy your deepest needs and lead to eternal life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This proverb celebrates wisdom's life-giving power. "The law of the wise is a fountain of life" presents teaching as living water. Torat chakham meqor chayyim (תּוֹרַת חָכָם מְקוֹר חַיִּים, instruction of the wise—fountain of life). Torah (תּוֹרָה) means instruction, teaching, law. From the wise flows meqor (מְקוֹר, fountain, spring, source) of chayyim (חַיִּים, life). Wisdom's teaching isn't stagnant doctrine but flowing, refreshing, life-sustaining truth.
"To depart from the snares of death" explains the purpose. Lasur mimmoqeshey mavet (לָסוּר מִמֹּקְשֵׁי מָוֶת, to turn from snares of death). Wisdom's fountain provides power lasur (לָסוּר, to turn aside, depart from) moqeshim (מֹקְשִׁים, snares, traps) of mavet (מָוֶת, death). Death sets traps throughout life—temptations, false philosophies, destructive relationships. Wisdom provides escape.
The fountain metaphor recalls Jeremiah 2:13's indictment: Israel forsook God, "the fountain of living waters," for broken cisterns. Jesus promised living water: "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). Christ is wisdom incarnate (1 Corinthians 1:30), the source of eternal life (John 14:6). His teaching is the fountain that delivers from death's snares and grants everlasting life (John 5:24).