Proverbs 2 in the early church

67 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 2, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22

Proverbs 2:1

My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:1Miscellanies 1.1.1 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:1Fragments on Proverbs, column 165 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 2:2

if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:2Miscellanies 1.1.1 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:2Miscellanies 1.1.2 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203

Proverbs 2:3

if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:3Miscellanies 1.4.27 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:3On Ecclesiastical Theology 3.2.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, low confidenceca. 337–339
Prov 2:3Tractates on the Psalms 127.1 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Prov 2:3Oration 2.38 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Prov 2:3Exposition of Psalm 118 5.40.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397

Proverbs 2:4

if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:4Miscellanies 1.4.27 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:4Tractates on the Psalms 127.1 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Prov 2:4Exposition of Psalm 118 5.40.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 2:4Exposition of Psalm 118 5.40.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397

Proverbs 2:5

then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:5Miscellanies 1.4.27 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:5On First Principles 1.1.9 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Prov 2:5On First Principles 4.4.10 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Prov 2:5Fragments on Proverbs, column 165 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:5PG 12:1283 (Ps 26–27 LXX) · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:5Commentary on John 10.279 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 2:5Commentary on John 20.405 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 230–248
Prov 2:5Commentary on the Song of Songs 1.105 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Prov 2:5Against Celsus 1.48 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Prov 2:5Against Celsus 7.34 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Prov 2:5Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 63 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Prov 2:5Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 66 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Prov 2:5Tractates on the Psalms 127.1 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Prov 2:5Exposition of Psalm 118 5.40.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 2:5Exposition of Psalm 118 5.40.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 2:5Homily 1 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394

Proverbs 2:6

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:6Exhortation to the Greeks 8.80 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Prov 2:6Miscellanies 1.4.27 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:6PG 12:1213 (Ps 15 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:6Fragment E II (on Job) · Dionysius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 248–265
Prov 2:6On the Holy Spirit 10 · Didymus the Blindquotation, high confidenceGreek ca. 360-390; Latin 387-391
Prov 2:6On Christian Doctrine 3.37 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceBooks 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427
Prov 2:6On Grace and Free Will 19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 426
Prov 2:6Chapter 17 · Prosper of Aquitainequotation, high confidenceca. 426-428
Prov 2:6On the Gift of Perseverance 17 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 428/429
Prov 2:6On the Gift of Perseverance 24 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 428/429
Prov 2:6Book 1, chapter 24 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 440-450

Proverbs 2:7

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:7Miscellanies 1.4.27 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203

Proverbs 2:11

Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:11Eleven Tractates 6.92 · Priscillianallusion, low confidenceca. 380–385

Proverbs 2:12

to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:12Fragments on Proverbs, column 165 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 2:13

from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:13History of the Arians 14 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357
Prov 2:13Exposition of Psalm 118 2.2.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Prov 2:13Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.25.5 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Prov 2:13Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.49.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Proverbs 2:14

from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:14History of the Arians 14 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357
Prov 2:14Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.49.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Proverbs 2:15

whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:15Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.49.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Proverbs 2:16

It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:16On Fleeing the World 35 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-391

Proverbs 2:17

who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:17Fragments on Proverbs, column 165 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:17Fragments on Proverbs, column 175 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:17PG 12:1613 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:17PG 12:1615 (Ps 118 LXX) · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 220-254

Proverbs 2:19

None who go to her return or negotiate the paths of life.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:19Fragments on Proverbs, column 165 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:19Fragments on Proverbs, column 167 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Prov 2:19Literal Commentary on Genesis 9.18 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 401–415

Proverbs 2:20

So you will follow in the ways of the good, and keep to the paths of the righteous.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:20On Nature and Grace 83 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidence415
Prov 2:20The Conferences 24.24 · John Cassianquotation, medium confidenceca. 426–429

Proverbs 2:21

For the upright will inhabit the land, and the blameless will remain in it;

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:211 Clement 14.4 · Clement of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Prov 2:21Miscellanies 2.19.102 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Prov 2:21Homilies 12.14 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, medium confidenceca. 363-378
Prov 2:21Tractates on Matthew 3.4 · Chromatius of Aquileiaquotation, high confidenceca. 388–407
Prov 2:21On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 32 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415

Proverbs 2:22

but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be uprooted.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Prov 2:221 Clement 14.4 · Clement of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Prov 2:22Miscellanies 2.19.102 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203