Proverbs 23:19 kjv

Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

Proverbs 23:19 nkjv

Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way.

Proverbs 23:19 niv

Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:

Proverbs 23:19 esv

Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.

Proverbs 23:19 nlt

My child, listen and be wise:
Keep your heart on the right course.

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 19 Meaning

Proverbs 23:19 calls for a disciple to heed instruction, cultivate discernment, and intentionally direct their innermost being toward righteous living. It emphasizes the direct link between listening to wisdom, internalizing it as true understanding, and consistently aligning one's moral compass with God's established path for life.

Proverbs 23 19 Context

Proverbs 23:19 is part of a series of fatherly instructions found within chapters 22-24, often referred to as "Sayings of the Wise." These sections move beyond general maxims and delve into specific warnings and exhortations, guiding the young man—symbolic of any disciple—on how to navigate the complexities of life with integrity and wisdom. Preceding verses in chapter 23 warn against greedy leaders, excessive eating, and misplaced ambition, while following verses address the dangers of drunkenness and association with gluttons. This particular verse stands as a foundational call to moral rectitude, asserting that wisdom isn't merely intellectual knowledge but an active, internal orientation towards a righteous way of living, a clear contrast to the folly described throughout the chapter. The wisdom tradition, evident in the broader biblical narrative and ancient Near Eastern cultures, consistently posits that true flourishing comes from aligning oneself with divine principles, often personified as "the way" of the Lord.

Proverbs 23 19 Word analysis

• "Hear" (שְׁמַע - shema‘): More than just physical hearing; it implies listening with attention, understanding, and an intent to obey. It encompasses spiritual receptivity. This verb is foundational in Jewish thought, as seen in the "Shema Israel" (Deut 6:4), a command to not only listen but also to internalize and act upon God's words. It denotes the initial and ongoing act of receiving divine instruction.
• "my son" (בְּנִי - beniy): A recurring affectionate address throughout Proverbs, highlighting the personal, didactic nature of the instruction. It signifies a paternal authority and a loving relationship, establishing the context as wise counsel from a mentor to a disciple, urging a readiness to learn. It implies an inheritance of wisdom.
• "and be wise" (וַחֲכַם - vachakam): A command, a jussive, expressing the desired outcome of "hearing." This wisdom (chokhmah) is not merely intellectual acuity but practical discernment for living righteously, characterized by sound judgment and moral uprightness. It connects directly to the fear of the Lord, as outlined in Prov 1:7.
• "and guide" (וְאַשֵּׁר - ve’ashshēr): This Hifil imperfect verb means "to direct," "to make straight," "to establish," or "to step out upon." It implies a proactive, intentional act of setting a course. It's not passive acceptance but active alignment and steadfast resolve in one's path.
• "your heart" (לִבְּךָ - libbekha): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the core of a person—the seat of intellect, emotion, will, moral consciousness, and decision-making. It is the spiritual and moral center, the inner self. Directing the heart means bringing one's deepest thoughts, desires, and intentions into alignment with wisdom.
• "in the way" (בַּדָּרֶךְ - badderekh): Refers to the "path," "road," or "course of life." In the wisdom literature, "the way" is often synonymous with a lifestyle or conduct. There is a way of righteousness/life (God's way) and a way of wickedness/death. To "guide your heart in the way" means to orient one's entire inner being towards a divinely prescribed moral and ethical conduct, distinct from any alternative, misguided path.

Words-group analysis:

• "Hear, my son, and be wise": This initial command establishes the prerequisite for wisdom. True wisdom is not innate but gained through attentive reception of instruction, often through the loving counsel of a wise elder or divine word. It emphasizes an active, obedient listening that leads to a transformed understanding and character.
• "and guide your heart in the way": This phrase details the practical outworking of that wisdom. It means making deliberate, conscious choices that direct one's deepest inclinations, thoughts, and will towards the path of righteousness that God has revealed. It signifies intentional moral agency and consistent alignment with divine truth in all aspects of life, as the heart dictates all of life's issues.

Proverbs 23 19 Bonus section

The command to "guide your heart" highlights a vital theological truth: humans possess agency and moral responsibility. While God is sovereign, the proverb places the onus on the individual to actively steward their inner life. This guiding isn't merely intellectual assent but involves cultivating habits, making decisions, and shaping one's affections in line with wisdom. It speaks to the concept of discipleship as a conscious, lifelong journey of self-regulation and surrender to the wise path revealed by God, emphasizing practical obedience over mere intellectual understanding.

Proverbs 23 19 Commentary

Proverbs 23:19 presents a concise yet profound injunction for discipleship. It reveals a clear progression: attentive hearing of wisdom's call leads to genuine discernment, which, in turn, manifests as intentional moral direction of the innermost self. The "heart," the very core of one's being, is to be actively aligned with "the way" of God's truth, implying a conscious choice to live righteously amidst temptations. This guiding of the heart is not a one-time event but a continuous discipline, requiring vigilance and deliberate effort to keep one's life ordered according to divine principles. It serves as a preventative measure, steering one away from the folly and pitfalls described elsewhere in Proverbs. The wise person actively controls their thoughts, intentions, and desires, channeling them towards integrity and God-honoring conduct.