Proverbs 2:1 kjv
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Proverbs 2:1 nkjv
My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,
Proverbs 2:1 niv
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
Proverbs 2:1 esv
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
Proverbs 2:1 nlt
My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
Proverbs 2 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 6:6 | "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart." | Importance of internalizing God's word. |
| Deut 11:26-27 | "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey..." | Establishes the conditional nature of blessing based on obedience. |
| Deut 30:19 | "choose life, that you and your offspring may live..." | Call to choose righteousness, mirroring the choice to receive wisdom. |
| Ps 1:2 | "...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." | Delight in and meditation upon divine instruction. |
| Ps 19:7-8 | "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;" | Power and effect of God's perfect law/words. |
| Ps 119:11 | "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." | Actively treasuring God's word to avoid sin. |
| Ps 119:34 | "Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart." | Desire for understanding to keep God's law wholeheartedly. |
| Prov 1:8 | "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching," | General call to hear parental instruction. |
| Prov 3:1 | "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments," | Reinforces remembering and heart-keeping of commands. |
| Prov 4:4 | "He taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.'" | Holding fast and keeping commandments for life. |
| Prov 4:20-22 | "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings... they are life..." | Attentiveness to words bringing life. |
| Job 22:22 | "Receive instruction from his mouth, and put his words in your heart." | Receiving and internalizing divine instruction. |
| Matt 7:24 | "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man..." | Hearing and doing Jesus' words leads to wisdom. |
| Lk 2:19 | "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." | Example of treasuring and pondering important words. |
| Lk 8:15 | "As for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, hearing the word with a noble and good heart, keep it..." | Hearing and keeping the word from a good heart. |
| Lk 11:28 | "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" | Blessing associated with hearing and keeping God's word. |
| Jn 8:31-32 | "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth..." | Abiding in Christ's word for truth and discipleship. |
| Jn 14:21 | "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me..." | Love for Christ demonstrated through keeping His commandments. |
| Col 3:16 | "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom..." | Letting Christ's word dwell richly, similar to treasuring. |
| 1 Thess 2:13 | "...you received the word of God... you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God..." | Proper reception of God's word, not as human word. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," | Benefit of God-breathed words/Scripture for living. |
| Heb 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | Power and penetration of God's word, requiring active reception. |
| Jas 1:21 | "Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." | Receiving the implanted word to receive salvation. |
Proverbs 2 verses
Proverbs 2 1 Meaning
Proverbs 2:1 lays a foundational condition for acquiring wisdom. It is an earnest appeal from a wise instructor, typically understood as a father figure, to a "son" or pupil. The verse urges the diligent acceptance and careful preservation of his wise "words" and authoritative "commandments." It emphasizes an active, internalizing posture toward instruction, setting the stage for the benefits and understanding promised in the subsequent verses.
Proverbs 2 1 Context
Proverbs chapter 2 opens a significant section (chapters 2-9) which expands upon the value and benefits of seeking and embracing divine wisdom. The initial appeal in verse 1 sets a conditional premise for the extensive promises that follow throughout the chapter regarding discernment, protection from evil paths (of wicked men and immoral women), and finding delight in the way of righteousness. This chapter presents wisdom as an active pursuit requiring dedication, not a passive acquisition. The instruction is given in the intimate context of a father-to-son discourse, which models the relational and personal nature of receiving truth. Historically and culturally, the transmission of moral and practical wisdom was central to the upbringing of young men in ancient Israelite society, often delivered within the household from parent to child, establishing foundations for godly living.
Proverbs 2 1 Word analysis
My son (בְּנִי, beni): A term of tender address, establishing an affectionate, personal, and pedagogical relationship between the speaker (wise instructor/father) and the hearer (the student). It signifies not merely a biological relation but a relationship of tutelage and profound concern for the pupil's well-being.
if (אִם, im): This particle introduces a condition. It signifies that the blessings and outcomes described in the subsequent verses (Prov 2:2-22) are contingent upon the son's active response to the instruction. It highlights personal choice and responsibility.
you receive (תִקַּח, tiqqakh): Derived from the verb laqach (לָקַח), meaning "to take," "to grasp," "to accept," or "to acquire." It implies an intentional act of taking hold, not merely hearing or having words presented. It denotes mental apprehension and personal appropriation of the teaching.
my words (אִמָרָי, imrai): Refers to the sayings, teachings, and counsel being offered. These are specific utterances or expressions of wisdom originating from the instructor. They embody truth and practical guidance for life.
and treasure up (תִצְפֹּן, titzpon): From the verb tsapan (צָפַן), meaning "to hide," "to store," "to lay up," or "to reserve." This conveys a sense of careful guardianship and high valuation. It is more than memorization; it's about holding the words internally, protecting them, and preserving them as something exceedingly precious, preventing them from being lost or forgotten. It implies cherishing and safeguarding.
my commandments (מִצְוֺתָי, mitzvohtay): Derived from mitzvah (מִצְוָה), meaning "commandment," "precept," or "charge." These are not mere suggestions but authoritative directives and principles that govern righteous conduct. They are instructions intended to guide actions and shape character, reflecting divine or divinely inspired principles.
with you (אִתָּךְ, ittakh): Literally "with yourself" or "within you." This reinforces the internal aspect of "treasuring." It means keeping the words not external to oneself, but intimately bound up with one's very being, thoughts, and intentions. They are to become an integral part of one's inner core.
Words-group Analysis:
- "receive my words and treasure up my commandments": This pairing emphasizes two distinct, yet complementary, actions. "Receiving words" speaks to initial apprehension and acceptance, while "treasuring up commandments" indicates a deeper internalization, valuation, and preservation of those principles within the heart and mind, preparing them for active application. The movement is from initial intake to careful, ongoing preservation.
- "my words" and "my commandments": This suggests that the instruction given encompasses both general wisdom ("words") and more specific, binding precepts for action ("commandments"). Both are crucial and inseparable parts of the comprehensive instruction.
Proverbs 2 1 Bonus section
The Hebrew word for "words" (imrai) and "commandments" (mitzvohtay) here carry significant weight. Imrai often refers to spoken declarations, insights, and counsel, whereas mitzvohtay carries the stronger connotation of authoritative decrees or precepts that require obedience. This blend underscores that wisdom is both understanding (intellectual and spiritual insight from the "words") and obedience (moral application of the "commandments"). The phrase sets the stage for God's wisdom, implicitly linking the "father's" instructions to divine wisdom later in the chapter (Prov 2:6, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding"). This chapter serves as a theological statement that true, protective, and discerning wisdom flows from God Himself, mediated through godly instruction.
Proverbs 2 1 Commentary
Proverbs 2:1 is a direct call to discipleship in wisdom. It lays out the prerequisite for receiving the abundant benefits of wisdom detailed throughout the rest of the chapter. The verse is conditional, emphasizing human responsibility: genuine understanding and protection do not come automatically but are a result of an active, deliberate engagement with truth. "Receiving" implies an open, teachable heart that welcomes instruction, acknowledging its authority and truthfulness. "Treasuring up" goes beyond mere intellectual assent or memory; it signifies an act of deep personal valuation, akin to safeguarding precious jewels. These teachings are to be held intimately within one's being ("with you"), shaping one's internal life, motives, and decision-making processes. This internal storage makes them readily accessible for guidance, protection, and discerning the path of life. The father-son paradigm underscores the relational context of divine instruction: wisdom is best transmitted and received in a climate of trust, love, and attentive discipleship.