Proverbs 4:5 kjv

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:5 nkjv

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:5 niv

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Proverbs 4:5 esv

Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:5 nlt

Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don't forget my words or turn away from them.

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 5 Meaning

Proverbs 4:5 is a direct and emphatic exhortation from a father to his son, urging the active and intentional acquisition of divine wisdom and discernment. It mandates a steadfast commitment to this truth, warning against both mental neglect (forgetting) and moral deviation (turning away) from the divine instruction passed down. It underscores the paramount value of seeking spiritual insight and remaining faithful to its guiding principles for a life well-lived in God's favor.

Proverbs 4 5 Context

Proverbs chapter 4 continues the overarching theme of a father's passionate appeal to his son (often personifying wisdom as "she") to embrace wisdom as the most valuable pursuit in life. The immediate context of Proverbs 4:5 falls within a series of urgent admonitions to acquire wisdom at all costs. The preceding verses (Prov 4:1-4) establish the credibility of the father's instruction, linking it back to his own parents' teaching, emphasizing a heritage of God-given truth. This particular verse acts as a strong, direct command for both the acquisition and preservation of this vital wisdom, warning against any departure from the life-giving "words of my mouth" which reflect God's truth. Historically, in ancient Israelite culture, the transfer of knowledge and moral instruction from father to son was a cornerstone of spiritual and communal stability, aimed at cultivating a life of flourishing in obedience to the covenant God.

Proverbs 4 5 Word analysis

• Get (קְנֵה - q'neh):

  • Hebrew imperative, implying an urgent command.
  • Conveys the idea of "acquire," "buy," "obtain."
  • Significance: Not a passive reception but an active, diligent pursuit, possibly at a cost (cf. Prov 23:23, "buy truth and do not sell it"). It signifies investing effort, time, and resources.

• Wisdom (חָכְמָה - chokmah):

  • Biblical chokmah is more than mere intellectual knowledge.
  • It's the practical skill of living a life that honors God and aligns with His design.
  • It encompasses discernment, moral excellence, and the ability to apply divine truth to everyday situations.
  • Its foundation is the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7).

• Get (קְנֵה - q'neh):

  • Repeated for emphasis, underscoring the vital importance and urgency of the command.
  • Reinforces the idea of active, costly acquisition.

• Understanding (בִּינָה - binah):

  • Often paired with chokmah, but distinct.
  • Refers to insight, discernment, the ability to grasp meaning, make connections, and differentiate between things (good/evil, true/false).
  • It is the ability to interpret and apply chokmah effectively.
  • Significance: Without binah, chokmah might remain theoretical; binah allows for its practical application.

• Do not forget (אַל-תִּשְׁכַּח - al-tishkach):

  • A strong negative imperative.
  • "Forgetting" in a biblical context is not just memory lapse but often implies a willful disregard or neglect of God's commands or deeds.
  • Significance: Warns against mental apathy or letting truths slip away due to inattention, distraction, or failure to actively recall and internalize. It is a spiritual danger.

• Nor turn from (וְאַל-תֵּט - w'al-tet):

  • Another negative imperative, parallel to "do not forget."
  • "Turn from" or "deviate from" implies straying off a prescribed path.
  • Significance: Addresses moral or behavioral departure from the righteous way. It implies a conscious choice to disregard or actively disobey the established truth. This refers to moral disobedience, where "forgetting" might refer to cognitive or emotional drift.

• the words of my mouth (מֵאִמְרֵי-פִי - me'imrei-fi):

  • Direct reference to the father's spoken instruction.
  • In the wisdom tradition, the father's instruction is often a conduit for divine wisdom and God's will (Prov 1:8, 6:20).
  • Significance: These are not merely human opinions but authoritative, life-giving truths. It stresses the value of receiving and adhering to sound, God-centered teaching.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Get wisdom! Get understanding!": This powerful opening serves as an immediate, double imperative, stressing the utmost priority of obtaining both intellectual knowledge of God's ways and the spiritual discernment to apply it correctly. It's a foundational command, setting the tone for the absolute necessity of these virtues.
• "Do not forget, nor turn from": This crucial paired prohibition outlines two ways one can fail concerning wisdom: internal neglect (forgetting what one has learned) and external deviation (deliberately straying from the path). It addresses both mental commitment and behavioral adherence, highlighting that genuine acquisition involves preservation and practice.
• "the words of my mouth": This phrase anchors the wisdom and understanding back to their source – the instruction given by the wise teacher/father. It emphasizes the authoritative and divinely inspired nature of the wisdom being imparted, distinguishing it from mere human philosophy or transient ideas.

Proverbs 4 5 Bonus section

The active verbs "q'neh" (get/acquire) for both "wisdom" and "understanding" signify that these are not automatically conferred but must be sought and cultivated with dedication. This acquisition is ongoing, a lifelong journey rather than a one-time event. The verse implicitly asserts the objective nature of the "words of my mouth" as unchanging truth to which one must conform, contrasting with any relativistic or subjective viewpoints common in ancient and modern thought. The repetitive structure (A; A; B; B') further highlights the urgency and deep significance of the father's appeal. It encapsulates the core Old Testament understanding that right living stems from a foundation of divine revelation, guarded through memory and lived out through obedience. This instruction serves as a profound call for spiritual discipline and an unwavering commitment to the Way of God.

Proverbs 4 5 Commentary

Proverbs 4:5 stands as a foundational command in the wisdom literature, serving as an urgent call to prioritize spiritual acumen above all else. The dual imperatives "Get wisdom! Get understanding!" underscore that this pursuit is not optional or passive; it requires active, intentional, and even sacrificial effort. "Wisdom" (חָכְמָה) speaks to the skill of living life God's way, while "understanding" (בִּינָה) enables one to discern the nuances and interconnectedness of God's truth, moving from theoretical knowledge to practical application. The subsequent prohibitions, "Do not forget, nor turn from," provide vital warnings against spiritual decay. Forgetting signifies a lapse in memory, often stemming from indifference or distraction, leading to a neglect of truth. Turning from implies an intentional moral deviation, straying from the path of righteousness that wisdom delineates. Both actions are equally detrimental. The "words of my mouth" are not mere human counsel but represent the father's divine instruction, guiding the son in God's path. Thus, the verse calls for total allegiance – both mentally and practically – to God's revealed wisdom as delivered through godly teaching, emphasizing that adherence to this truth is the cornerstone of a blessed life.

• Examples:
  • Get wisdom!: Actively seek God's Word through consistent Bible study, devotional time, and seeking guidance from mature believers, rather than just waiting for information to come your way.
  • Get understanding!: Pray for discernment when facing complex situations, applying biblical principles to make wise choices, rather than relying solely on emotions or worldly advice.
  • Do not forget: Regularly recall biblical truths and promises in your daily life, especially in moments of temptation or discouragement, perhaps through memorization or journaling.
  • Nor turn from: Consistently choose to walk in obedience to God's commands, even when it is difficult or unpopular, refusing to compromise your faith for worldly gains.