Proverbs 3:1 kjv

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Proverbs 3:1 nkjv

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;

Proverbs 3:1 niv

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

Proverbs 3:1 esv

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

Proverbs 3:1 nlt

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.

Proverbs 3 verses

Proverbs 3 1 Meaning

Proverbs 3:1 opens with a tender paternal appeal to the "son," emphasizing the vital importance of remembering and internalizing the instruction given. It calls for active non-forgetfulness of the "law" or "teaching" and diligent preservation of "commands" within the deepest core of one's being, the heart. This foundational verse sets the stage for a life characterized by wisdom and blessedness, predicated on internalizing and living by divine principles passed down through wise instruction. It highlights that true obedience is not just external compliance but a profound internal commitment and recall.

Proverbs 3 1 Context

Proverbs chapter 3 is a direct instruction from a father (or wisdom teacher) to his son (disciple). It serves as an extended call to embrace and trust in wisdom, framing wisdom as a guide to a flourishing and righteous life. Verses 1-12 outline the practical benefits of adhering to wisdom, including length of days, peace, favor with God and man, prosperity, and guidance. This introductory verse (Pr 3:1) thus lays the fundamental prerequisite for receiving these blessings: an active engagement with and internalization of the teachings. Historically, Proverbs reflects the traditional Israelite household and scribal school, where intergenerational transmission of divine and practical wisdom was central. The "law" and "commandments" mentioned here are not limited solely to the Mosaic Law but encompass the entire body of sound moral and spiritual instruction, deeply rooted in God's revelation, that fosters a life pleasing to God.

Proverbs 3 1 Word analysis

• My son (בְּנִי, bə·nî): A term of endearment and pedagogical address, common in Proverbs (cf. Pr 1:8). It signifies a deeply personal, relational, and intimate context for the instruction, highlighting love and paternal authority. It also reflects the broader covenant relationship between God and His people as a father to children.
• forget not (אַל־תִּשְׁכַּח, ’al-tiš·kaḥ): A negative imperative. The Hebrew verb shakach (שָׁכַח) means "to forget," but it often implies more than mere intellectual lapse. It carries the sense of neglecting, ignoring, or ceasing to pay attention to something, leading to a failure of action. Therefore, "forget not" implies active remembrance and application. It warns against both intellectual amnesia and practical apostasy.
• my law (תּוֹרָתִי, to·rā·ṯî): The Hebrew word torah (תּוֹרָה) is broader than "law" in the legal sense; it means "instruction" or "teaching," derived from the verb yarah (יָרָה), "to teach," "to direct." While rooted in God's divine instruction (e.g., Mosaic Torah), here it specifically refers to the father's or teacher's instruction, which embodies and transmits God's wisdom principles. It's a living, dynamic teaching meant to guide life.
• but (וְ): A connective that often functions contrastively, emphasizing the ensuing clause as the proper alternative or consequence. Here, it shifts from the negative command (do not forget) to the positive command (keep in your heart).
• let thine heart (לִבְּךָ, lib·bə·ḵā): The "heart" (levav) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotions but the center of intellect, will, reason, and moral choice—the totality of a person's inner being. To keep something in one's heart is to internalize it deeply, to ponder it, to decide by it, and to store it as a core component of one's identity and decision-making. It implies full commitment, not superficial knowledge.
• keep (יִצּוֹר, yiṣ·ṣōr): From the verb natsar (נָצַר), meaning "to guard," "to watch," "to preserve," or "to keep." This verb denotes active preservation and protection, suggesting diligent safeguarding and observing. It is a proactive, intentional effort to ensure the commands remain integral to one's life.
• my commandments (מִצְוֹתַי, miṣ·wō·ṯay): From the Hebrew mitzvot (מִצְווֹת), specific precepts, rules, or injunctions. While torah is the broader teaching, mitzvot are the actionable, distinct commands that flow from that instruction. These are the practical applications derived from the father's "law" and ultimately from divine will.

Words-group analysis:

• "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments": This parallelism employs both synonymous (law/commandments) and antithetical (forget not/keep) structures. The negative "forget not" and positive "keep" together stress the comprehensive demand for engaging with divine wisdom—intellectually remembering and internally cherishing it. The structure highlights that mere intellectual assent or external performance is insufficient; true obedience flows from a deeply ingrained internal commitment ("heart").

Proverbs 3 1 Bonus section

The intensely personal possessive pronoun "my" used twice—"my law" and "my commandments"—underscores that the instruction, while ultimately rooted in divine truth, is conveyed through a loving human relationship, emphasizing the responsibility of parents and spiritual mentors to pass on truth. This personal conveyance makes the wisdom both intimate and authoritative. The passage, particularly within the wisdom literature, implicitly stands against a life lived by fleeting human fads, self-interest, or pagan polytheism by grounding life in stable, unchanging, divine instruction that is transmitted through trusted human vessels. This personal transmission makes it relatable and deeply impacting. The focus on the "heart" also subtly opposes any idea of a purely ritualistic or external obedience, as prevalent in some pagan practices or later, legalistic interpretations. Instead, it champions an holistic, integrated life where outward action reflects inner conviction and devotion.

Proverbs 3 1 Commentary

Proverbs 3:1 functions as an essential gateway to the chapter's profound lessons on the benefits of wisdom. It articulates the fundamental condition for walking in God's ways: active retention and deep internalization of His divine instruction. "Forgetting" in the biblical sense is not merely a memory lapse but a moral failure to act on known truth, often leading to spiritual decay or practical deviation. Conversely, "keeping" in the heart signifies a commitment that pervades one's entire being – thoughts, desires, and actions – not just outward compliance. This verse, therefore, calls for a conscious, deliberate, and sustained engagement with God's word and the wisdom transmitted through faithful instruction. It grounds the life of wisdom in a relationship of listening and obeying, implying that true understanding manifests in active adherence rather than passive reception. A life genuinely aligned with God's purposes flows from this deeply embedded obedience of the heart, promising peace, health, and prosperity as seen in subsequent verses.

• Practical examples: This applies to believers by calling them to daily Bible study not for intellectual gain alone, but for transformation; to regularly recall scriptural principles in moments of decision; to allow Christian teaching to shape one's inner disposition towards integrity, charity, and self-control.