Proverbs 19:16 kjv

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

Proverbs 19:16 nkjv

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

Proverbs 19:16 niv

Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.

Proverbs 19:16 esv

Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.

Proverbs 19:16 nlt

Keep the commandments and keep your life;
despising them leads to death.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 16 Meaning

Proverbs 19:16 declares a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom: obedience to divine instruction brings preservation and flourishing, while negligence or contempt for established moral guidelines leads to demise and ruin. It posits a direct consequence for one's actions and choices, highlighting that keeping or despising "the commandment" shapes the very quality and continuity of one's life.

Proverbs 19 16 Context

Proverbs 19 falls within a large collection of isolated proverbs, typically distichs (two-line verses) that convey wisdom through contrasting or parallel ideas. Chapter 19, like many others, does not present a single continuous narrative but rather a series of disconnected, pithy sayings addressing various aspects of righteous and foolish living, often contrasting outcomes based on character and choices. This specific verse, 19:16, stands as a clear statement about the existential consequences of one's approach to moral instruction. It reiterates a recurring theme in Proverbs: wisdom is fundamentally practical and has real-world effects, leading to life or death. The historical and cultural context for the original audience was a patriarchal society where the family and community were central, and wisdom was often transmitted through paternal instruction. Obedience to parental and, by extension, divine and communal laws, was crucial for social order and personal well-being. "The commandment" could refer generally to God's Torah, specific divine precepts, or the cumulative body of wise instruction passed down by elders and sages, all aligned with a righteous life.

Proverbs 19 16 Word Analysis

• He who keeps (שֹׁמֵ֥ר - shomer): From the verb שׁמר (shamar), meaning "to guard, watch over, preserve, observe, attend to, take heed." It implies active, diligent observance and protection. This isn't passive agreement but deliberate, conscious adherence to.
• the commandment (מִצְוָ֣ה - mitzvah): A מִצְוָה (mitzvah) is a "command, precept, ordinance, instruction." In the broader biblical sense, it refers to a divine injunction or a moral imperative. In Proverbs, it often refers to the father's instruction, which aligns with God's ultimate wisdom. It is a guide for righteous conduct.
• keeps (שׁוֹמֵ֣ר - shomer): Repeats the same root verb שׁמר (shamar) from the first clause, emphasizing a protective, preservative action. The keeping of the commandment is parallel to the keeping of the soul, creating a powerful semantic link between obedience and preservation.
• his soul (נַפְשׁ֑וֹ - nafsho): נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh) denotes the entire person, the individual's very life, being, vitality, and often includes the desires and inner self. It is not merely the spiritual part but the sum total of one's existence and well-being. "Keeping his soul" means preserving his life, his being, his well-being from destruction, disease, and disaster, leading to prosperity and fulfillment.
• but he who is careless (וּב֣וֹזֵה - u'vozeh): From the verb בוז (buz), "to despise, scorn, hold in contempt, treat lightly." This is a strong word indicating intentional disregard or even disdain, not mere oversight. It's an active rejection of guidance.
• of his ways (דְרָכָיו֮ - d'rakhav): דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) means "way, road, path," but figuratively it refers to one's conduct, course of life, manner of living, or habitual behavior. To be "careless of his ways" means to disregard the established paths of wisdom and righteousness for one's life.
• will die (יָ֫מוּת֮ - yamut): From the verb מוּת (mut), "to die, put to death." This death can be literal (physical), but in the context of wisdom literature, it frequently encompasses a broader spiritual, social, and experiential death—a loss of vitality, a lack of flourishing, social alienation, and ultimate destruction of well-being, both temporal and eternal.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul": This forms a clear parallel and cause-and-effect relationship. The proactive preservation (shomer) of the divine rule (mitzvah) directly leads to the protection (shomer) and flourishing of one's entire being (nefesh). It's a double "keeping" that highlights the intimate connection between external adherence and internal well-being.
• "but he who is careless of his ways will die": This provides a stark contrast. The one who בוז (despises/scorns) his דֶּרֶךְ (life's path, conduct)—i.e., disregards the moral framework—inevitably heads toward מות (death/ruin). The antithesis between life through observance and death through contempt is foundational to Proverbs.

Proverbs 19 16 Bonus Section

This proverb underscores the active, volitional nature of obedience. It is not enough to passively agree with wise counsel; one must "guard" and "observe" it diligently. The parallelism emphasizes the protective nature of both the commandment itself (as it guides) and the act of keeping it (as it brings protection). Furthermore, the verse subtly challenges fatalism, suggesting that an individual's choices regarding wisdom and moral principles significantly determine their destiny, underscoring the sovereignty of God within the framework of human responsibility. The wisdom tradition consistently frames life as a series of choices between two paths: the path of wisdom leading to life, and the path of folly leading to death. Proverbs 19:16 serves as a concise summary of this pervasive theme.

Proverbs 19 16 Commentary

Proverbs 19:16 offers a profound principle that transcends mere religious duty, rooting it in the very fabric of existence. It asserts that wisdom is not optional but integral to flourishing. "The commandment" refers to any wise instruction aligned with God's design for life, whether explicitly part of the Torah or the sagacious advice passed down through generations. To "keep" this commandment is to diligently guard and adhere to it, understanding its vital role. This active obedience "keeps" one's "soul," meaning one's very life, vitality, and well-being in its entirety. It leads to a holistic state of preservation, safety, and thriving in all dimensions—physical, social, and spiritual.

Conversely, the individual who is "careless of his ways" demonstrates an attitude of disdain or contempt. This isn't simple ignorance, but a deliberate neglect or scorn (bozeh) for the moral and practical paths (d'rakhim) prescribed by wisdom. Such an attitude inevitably results in "death." While physical death is often the ultimate consequence, "death" here also encapsulates a life devoid of genuine vitality, marked by social isolation, spiritual decay, loss of reputation, and overall ruination. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of personal accountability and the intrinsic connection between character, conduct, and consequence in a world designed by a righteous Creator.