Proverbs 3:21 kjv
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Proverbs 3:21 nkjv
My son, let them not depart from your eyes? Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
Proverbs 3:21 niv
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
Proverbs 3:21 esv
My son, do not lose sight of these ? keep sound wisdom and discretion,
Proverbs 3:21 nlt
My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
Proverbs 3 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 2:10-11 | "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will preserve you..." | Discretion as a protector |
| Prov 4:7 | "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." | Wisdom as supreme importance |
| Prov 4:13 | "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life." | Holding onto instruction for life |
| Prov 4:21 | "Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart;" | Similar phrasing on not departing eyes |
| Prov 4:23 | "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." | Guarding the source of life |
| Prov 5:1-2 | "My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend an ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion..." | Importance of preserving discretion |
| Prov 6:20-22 | "My son, keep your father’s command...bind them on your heart...they will guide you when you walk..." | Keeping commands binds wisdom to heart |
| Prov 8:12 | "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions." | Wisdom and prudence together |
| Deut 6:6-7 | "These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children..." | Continuously teaching and remembering God's words |
| Deut 11:18 | "Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand..." | Internalizing God's words deeply |
| Isa 33:6 | "He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge..." | Wisdom as source of stability |
| Luke 8:15 | "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it..." | Keeping the word in a good heart |
| Luke 11:28 | "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it." | Blessedness of hearing and keeping |
| Col 2:8 | "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men..." | Warning against deceptive teachings |
| Phil 4:7-8 | "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds...think about these things." | Peace of God guarding heart and mind |
| 1 Tim 4:16 | "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them..." | Guarding oneself and sound doctrine |
| Heb 2:1 | "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." | Earnest heed to avoid drifting |
| James 1:22-25 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...continuing in it, he will be blessed..." | Doing and continuing in the word |
| Prov 16:16 | "How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." | Superiority of wisdom over wealth |
| Ps 119:11 | "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." | Hiding God's word to prevent sin |
| Jer 17:9 | "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" | Importance of relying on divine wisdom over deceitful heart |
| 2 Tim 1:13 | "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me..." | Holding fast to sound doctrine |
Proverbs 3 verses
Proverbs 3 21 Meaning
Proverbs 3:21 is an urgent fatherly appeal for his son to diligently maintain a constant awareness of wisdom and discernment. It implores the son to never lose sight of these vital principles, ensuring they remain ever-present in his mind and guide his perception and actions. The verse stresses the active and continuous personal responsibility to safeguard sound judgment and practical understanding.
Proverbs 3 21 Context
Proverbs 3:21 falls within a larger exhortation from a father to his son regarding the immense value and benefits of wisdom (Prov 3:1-26). The preceding verses (Prov 3:13-20) exalt wisdom as more precious than any earthly treasure, the source of blessing, prosperity, and a "tree of life" (Prov 3:18). It's also linked to God's own creative power (Prov 3:19-20). The imperative in verse 21 thus builds upon this foundation, urging the son to constantly internalize and actively maintain these previously lauded attributes. The immediate historical context is ancient Israel, where the transmission of wisdom from generation to generation was crucial for spiritual, moral, and practical well-being. It is a polemic against superficial engagement or intellectual detachment from truth; wisdom must be embraced as a lifestyle, not just information.
Proverbs 3 21 Word analysis
- My son (בְּנִ֣י - bĕnî): A customary and affectionate address in Proverbs, indicating a deep, pedagogical relationship between the teacher (often symbolic of the wise elder or even God) and the disciple. It frames the instruction as personal and foundational, appealing to loyalty and a desire to please.
- do not let them depart (אַל־יָ֭לֻזוּ - ’al-yāluzû): The Hebrew root (לוז, luz) signifies to "turn aside," "stray," or "deviate." The negative imperative commands an active effort to prevent anything from going astray or slipping away. This implies vigilance and an unwillingness to let go, indicating that wisdom isn't a passive acquisition but an ongoing commitment. The "them" refers back to the wisdom and understanding exalted in verses 13-20, highlighting these as divine principles.
- from your eyes (מֵעֵינֶ֣יךָ - mēʿêneyḵā): This is a metaphorical expression. It doesn't mean merely physical sight, but rather implies constant mental perception, spiritual discernment, and intellectual focus. To "not let them depart from your eyes" means to continually keep wisdom in one's field of awareness, governing one's perspective and understanding of the world. It speaks of the internal vision that shapes one's choices and responses.
- keep (שְׁמֹ֖ר - šəmōr): The Hebrew verb (שמר, shamor) means "to guard," "to observe carefully," "to protect," or "to keep diligently." This is a strong, active command for preservation and maintenance, underscoring the necessity of persistent effort in holding onto sound wisdom and discretion. It's not enough to gain them; they must be actively retained and nurtured.
- sound wisdom (תּוּשִׁיָּ֣ה - tûšîyâ): This term implies solid, effective, and substantive wisdom or "sound judgment." It denotes practical wisdom that leads to tangible good results, success, and even deliverance. It is reliable, wholesome knowledge, distinguishing it from superficial understanding or misleading counsel. It suggests inner resources for stability.
- and discretion (וּמְזִמָּ֑ה - ûmĕzimmâ): In this context, it refers to "prudence," "discernment," or "careful planning." While the root word can sometimes imply wicked scheming, here it signifies the positive application of wisdom—the ability to devise and execute good, well-thought-out plans. It is the capacity for keen insight and thoughtful deliberation in practical matters.
- words-group: "do not let them depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion": This phrase constitutes a double command emphasizing both the active rejection of loss ("do not let depart") and the active embracing/holding onto ("keep"). "Them" implicitly refers to the rich instruction, wisdom, and understanding highlighted in the preceding verses. The parallel structure highlights that keeping these qualities (sound wisdom and discretion) is directly linked to not letting the principles depart from one's inner perception, forming a holistic approach to living wisely.
Proverbs 3 21 Bonus section
The repetition of exhortations to "keep" or "hold fast" to wisdom throughout Proverbs indicates that the natural human tendency is to drift away from divine truth if not intentionally anchored. This verse implies that wisdom, while a divine gift, also requires human stewardship—a daily commitment to remembering, reflecting upon, and applying its principles. The linking of "sound wisdom" (the inner principle) with "discretion" (its outward practical manifestation) underscores the integrated nature of true wisdom; it affects both what we know and how we act. It's not enough to intellectually acknowledge wisdom; one must allow it to shape one's inner vision and outward behavior continually.
Proverbs 3 21 Commentary
Proverbs 3:21 encapsulates a profound truth: acquiring wisdom is merely the beginning; diligently preserving and actively maintaining it is essential for a life of integrity and blessing. The paternal admonition underscores that wisdom, understood as sound judgment and practical discernment rooted in God's truth, is not a passive endowment but requires continuous vigilance. To "not let them depart from your eyes" means that wisdom should permeate one's every perception, influencing how one interprets circumstances and formulates responses. It's a call to conscious, active spiritual and intellectual discipline, guarding one's internal compass against deviation and ensuring that discretion—the ability to apply wisdom effectively in daily life—remains sharp. This verse implicitly warns against spiritual complacency or intellectual laziness, which can lead to the erosion of truth and sound living.