23 He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The end of the sensual life: to "die without instruction," life ended, but the discipline of life fruitless; to "go astray," as if drunk with the greatness of his folly (the same word is used as for "ravished" in Proverbs 5:19, see marg.), even to the end. This is the close of what might have gone on brightening to the perfect day Proverbs 4:18.
He shall die without instruction - This is most likely, and it is a general case; but even these may repent and live.
He shall (n) die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
(n) Because he will not give ear to God's word and be admonished.
He shall die without instruction,.... Into the evil of sin, and the danger he is in, and so without repentance for it; for instruction is the means of repentance, and productive of it when blessed, Jeremiah 31:19; but it is but just that those who have hated and rejected it in health and life, that when they come to die should have none given them about the evil of sin, the danger of their state, and the way of salvation; or rather "because of instruction" (z); because they would not bear and receive, but neglected, rejected, and despised it, so Aben Ezra and Ben Gersom; or "without correction" (a), or discipline and amendment by it;
and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray; being left to the exceeding great folly of his mind, he shall continue to go astray as he has done from God and his good ways, from the precepts of his law, and the rules of his word; going after his own heart's lusts, which will drown him in perdition. This "folly" may be understood either of his fornication and adultery, which is egregious folly; or of his imagining that he should be able to repent of sin when he pleased, and free himself from the bondage of it, and escape the punishment due unto it.
(z) "eo quod non audivit eruditionem", Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "propter neglectam institutionem", Piscator; "propter non admissam disciplinam", Noldius, p. 181. (a) "Sine correctione et emendatione", Vatablus.
without instruction--literally, "in want of instruction," having refused it (compare Job 13:18; Hebrews 11:24).
go astray--literally, "be drunken." The word "ravished" (Proverbs 5:19) here denotes fulness of punishment.
Die - He shall die in his sins. Astray - From the way of life, and from eternal salvation.
*More commentary available at chapter level.