Proverbs 3:3 kjv

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Proverbs 3:3 nkjv

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

Proverbs 3:3 niv

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3 esv

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3 nlt

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.

Proverbs 3 verses

Proverbs 3 3 Meaning

Proverbs 3:3 urges the seeker of wisdom to embody and maintain two crucial virtues: steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness (emet). It exhorts one not to allow these qualities to depart, but instead to bind them physically as an outward sign of commitment, and more profoundly, to internalize them deeply by inscribing them upon the very core of one's being, the heart. This instruction implies that genuine wisdom is inseparable from active loyalty, kindness, and truthfulness.

Proverbs 3 3 Context

Proverbs 3 opens a significant section of a father's wisdom instruction to his son. It serves as a preamble to the benefits and requirements of walking in wisdom, setting a moral and spiritual foundation. The immediate verses preceding verse 3 call the son to "not forget my teaching" and "let your heart keep my commandments," promising "length of days and years of life and peace." Verse 3 then identifies two key virtues, steadfast love and faithfulness, as essential elements of this wisdom-driven life. This advice emphasizes that true prosperity and a fulfilling life are rooted not just in intellectual knowledge but in character, reflecting divine attributes in human conduct. Historically, these proverbs were intended for young men, often those entering adult life and public service, teaching them principles that would ensure their success and uphold the social and covenantal order of Israelite society. The call for hesed and emet counters tendencies towards deceit, selfishness, and disloyalty that could undermine personal and communal well-being.

Proverbs 3 3 Word analysis

• Let not (אַל-יַעַזְבֻךְ, al-ya‘azbuka): An emphatic negative imperative, expressing a strong prohibition against allowing these virtues to depart. It's a call to active prevention and steadfast adherence. The verb azav means "to leave," "to forsake," "to abandon."
• steadfast love (חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This is a rich Hebrew term signifying covenant loyalty, enduring kindness, unfailing love, and mercy. It describes not just an emotion, but an action stemming from a deep commitment, especially within a relational bond (like a covenant). It is often attributed to God as His character, but also expected of humans in their dealings with God and one another. It implies faithfulness to promises and a strong inclination towards benevolent action, especially when it is not earned.
• and (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction connecting the two virtues, emphasizing their inseparable nature. They often appear together in Scripture, representing a complete moral and relational integrity.
• faithfulness (אֱמֶת, ’emet): Meaning "truth," "reliability," "firmness," "integrity," "fidelity." It denotes trustworthiness and adherence to reality and uprightness. In contrast to fleeting or deceitful words and actions, emet represents stability, verity, and consistency. It signifies the true, consistent, and reliable nature of both God and, by extension, those who walk in His ways.
• forsake you (יַעַזְבֻךְ, ya‘azbuka): Same verb azav as in "let not," reiterating the command to hold fast to these virtues so they do not abandon you, implying their essential role in guiding and preserving a person.
• bind them (קָשְׁרֵם, qošərēm): From the verb qašar, "to bind," "to tie." This refers to the ancient practice of wearing precious items or religious tokens. It suggests externalization and public display, treating these virtues as something of high value to be conspicuously worn and guarded.
• around your neck (עַל-גַּרְגְּרוֹתֶיךָ, ‘al-gargarōtêyḵā): The neck, being a visible part of the body, signifies wearing these virtues as a cherished ornament or emblem. It makes them apparent to others, reflecting an openly embraced commitment to them.
• write them (כָתְבֵם, kotbēm): From the verb kāṯab, "to write." This implies a deliberate and permanent inscription. Unlike external binding which can be removed, writing implies an indelible mark.
• on the tablet (עַל-לוּחַ, ‘al-lûaḥ): Refers to a writing tablet, commonly made of clay or wood, used for permanent records. This imagery conveys permanence and importance.
• of your heart (לִבֶּךָ, libbekā): In biblical thought, the heart is not merely the organ of emotion but the seat of intellect, will, memory, and the entire inner being – the very core of a person's existence and moral agency. To write on the heart means to fully internalize, absorb, and allow these principles to shape one's thoughts, decisions, and actions, making them an integral part of one's character.

• "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you": This phrase emphasizes the active choice required. These virtues are not innate but cultivated and diligently maintained. Allowing them to "forsake" suggests a potential spiritual departure or decay if neglected, leading to a life devoid of true covenantal goodness and integrity.
• "bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart": This two-part command encapsulates a comprehensive approach to embodying these virtues. The "neck" represents an outward, visible commitment, akin to wearing an amulet or a treasured possession that serves as a constant reminder and public testimony. The "heart," on the other hand, symbolizes deep, internal absorption. This signifies a transformation from within, where these principles are not just remembered or displayed but become ingrained in one's very character, guiding every thought, intention, and action. It moves beyond superficial adherence to a profound, intrinsic commitment, making them foundational to one's moral fabric.

Proverbs 3 3 Bonus section

The pairing of hesed and emet is significant. In Hebrew thought, these two virtues frequently appear together, particularly in descriptions of God's character (e.g., Exod 34:6; Psa 85:10). When commanded of humans, it suggests an imitation of the Divine nature, emphasizing that God's people are to reflect His very attributes in their dealings. The binding on the neck is reminiscent of practices related to the Torah, where commands were to be a "sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes" (Deut 6:8), demonstrating that these moral commands are just as fundamental to the believer's life as the explicit laws. The concept of the "tablet of the heart" is echoed in later prophecies of the New Covenant (Jer 31:33), where God's law would no longer be external but inwardly inscribed, implying a divinely empowered change of heart that makes living out these virtues naturally flowing from one's transformed nature. This points to the Christian understanding that these qualities are cultivated by the indwelling Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), enabling true, not superficial, adherence.

Proverbs 3 3 Commentary

Proverbs 3:3 distills the essence of true wisdom, grounding it in the cultivation of moral character rather than mere intellectual knowledge. The command to cling to hesed (steadfast love, covenant loyalty, enduring kindness) and emet (faithfulness, truth, integrity) reveals that these are not peripheral virtues but central pillars of a righteous life. Hesed denotes active, self-giving loyalty in relationships, mirroring God's own unwavering love for His people. Emet speaks to one's adherence to truth and reality, ensuring reliability and integrity in word and deed. The imagery of "binding them around your neck" suggests a visible, constant declaration of these values—making them part of one's outward identity, like a treasured piece of jewelry or an emblem of allegiance. More profoundly, "writing them on the tablet of your heart" signifies a deep, internal transformation. This means these virtues are not just outwardly performed acts, but integral aspects of one's core being, influencing all thoughts, desires, and actions from within. They become the moral compass that instinctively guides decision-making and conduct, reflecting the renewed heart God promises. Together, this internal and external commitment ensures a life that is truly wise, honoring to God, and beneficial to others.

• Examples for Practical Usage:
  • Honoring Commitments: Keeping your word to a friend or spouse, even when inconvenient, demonstrates both steadfast love (commitment to relationship) and faithfulness (truthfulness of your promise).
  • Showing Compassion: Consistently reaching out to someone in need with practical help or comfort, especially over time, reflects steadfast love and loyalty beyond mere sentiment.
  • Speaking Truth in Love: Being honest even when difficult, but always with kindness and consideration for the other person's well-being, embodies both hesed and emet.