Proverbs 4:6 kjv
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Proverbs 4:6 nkjv
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.
Proverbs 4:6 niv
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
Proverbs 4:6 esv
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
Proverbs 4:6 nlt
Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Proverbs 4 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Wisdom begins with reverent submission to God. |
| Prov 2:2-8 | ...if you call out for insight... then you will understand the fear of the Lord... For the Lord gives wisdom... | Diligent pursuit leads to God-given wisdom and protection. |
| Prov 3:13-18 | Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding... She is a tree of life... | Wisdom brings blessings, happiness, and life itself. |
| Prov 8:17 | I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. | Wisdom's reciprocal love for her pursuers. |
| Prov 8:35 | For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. | Wisdom is source of life and divine favor. |
| Deut 4:6 | Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples... | Obedience to God's law is practical wisdom. |
| Ps 1:1-3 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the Lord... | Following divine instruction leads to flourishing and stability. |
| Ps 91:1-2, 14 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High... For he holds fast to me in love, therefore I will deliver him... | Divine protection for those who love and trust God. |
| Ps 119:10-11, 114 | With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments... You are my hiding place and my shield... | Sticking to God's word protects against sin. |
| Ps 121:7-8 | The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life... from this time forth and forevermore. | God, as ultimate Wisdom, protects His people. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. | Acting on Christ's words provides enduring security. |
| Luke 11:28 | But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" | Blessing comes from heeding and obeying divine truth. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach... | Wisdom is a gift from God for those who seek it. |
| Jas 3:17 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy... | Characteristics of true, godly wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 1:24 | but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. | Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption... | Christ is our wisdom, leading to righteousness. |
| Col 2:2-3 | ...unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | All wisdom is found in Christ. |
| Prov 1:24-33 | Because I have called and you refused... I will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you... | Consequences of rejecting and forsaking wisdom. |
| Prov 6:20-22 | My son, keep your father's commandment... When you walk, they will lead you... when you awake, they will talk with you. | Parental instruction (wisdom) guides and protects daily life. |
| Prov 7:4-5 | Say to Wisdom, "You are my sister," and call insight your intimate friend... to keep you from the forbidden woman... | Wisdom protects from moral temptations. |
| Isa 33:6 | He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge... | Wisdom provides stability and security. |
| Dan 1:17 | As for these four young men, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom... | Wisdom given by God for specific purposes and protection. |
Proverbs 4 verses
Proverbs 4 6 Meaning
Proverbs 4:6 presents a fervent instruction from a father to his son, personifying Wisdom as a devoted guardian. It commands the son never to abandon Wisdom, nor to withhold affection from her. In return, Wisdom is depicted as actively providing security and oversight, guarding and preserving the life of the one who cherishes her. This verse establishes a clear reciprocal relationship: unwavering commitment and love towards Wisdom yield her profound protection and careful watch.
Proverbs 4 6 Context
Proverbs chapter 4 serves as an impassioned plea from a father—traditionally believed to be King Solomon—to his son, urging the acquisition and fervent pursuit of wisdom. The father recounts how he, in turn, received this vital instruction from his own parents, highlighting a multi-generational legacy of valuing and transmitting divine truth. Within this earnest admonition, verse 6 specifically addresses wisdom as a living entity, an active partner in life's journey. It stands as a pivotal point, laying out the profound benefits and reciprocal relationship inherent in choosing wisdom over folly. The broader context of Proverbs situates wisdom not merely as intellectual acumen, but as profound understanding and moral insight rooted in the fear of Yahweh, enabling right living and thriving within the covenant relationship.
Proverbs 4 6 Word analysis
- Do not forsake her (
אַל־תַּעַזְבֶ֖הָ al-ta‘azvehā):עָזַב('azav): This Hebrew verb means to abandon, leave, or neglect. It implies a deliberate act of letting go or a passive neglect of what one should uphold. In context, it warns against turning away from the principles and paths of wisdom, which would lead to spiritual vulnerability and moral drift.
- and she will protect you (
וְתִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ veṭišməreḵā):שָׁמַר(shamar): Signifies to guard, keep, watch over, or preserve diligently. It implies active care and vigilant preservation from harm. Wisdom’s protection extends to safeguarding one's life, character, moral integrity, and path from the dangers and pitfalls of folly.
- love her (
אֶהָבֶ֥הָ 'ĕhāvāhā):אָהֵב('ahev): To love, have deep affection for. This goes beyond mere intellectual understanding or compliance. It denotes a profound valuing and cherishing of wisdom, treating her as a most beloved relationship, reflecting delight in her principles and a desire to live according to her ways.
- and she will watch over you (
וְתִנְצְרֶֽךָ veṭinṣəreḵā):נָצַר(natzar): Also means to guard, keep, preserve, or protect. Similar toshamar, but often with a nuance of diligent guarding, like keeping something precious or preserving something from decay or external threats. It assures that wisdom maintains faithful vigilance over one's life, preventing corruption and ensuring well-being.
- "Do not forsake her... love her": This pairing represents a dual injunction. The first part is negative, an avoidance of spiritual abandonment; the second is positive, an active, heart-felt commitment. Together, they illustrate the comprehensive nature of the demand: both to refrain from neglecting wisdom and to ardently pursue her. This mirrors a full-orbed devotion that touches both outward actions and inward affections.
- "she will protect you... she will watch over you": These two parallel promises reinforce the extensive nature of wisdom's safeguarding. The repetition with slightly different verbs (
shamarandnatzar) emphasizes a multi-faceted and thorough preservation. Wisdom ensures not just immediate safety but a continuous watch over one's entire life journey, defending against moral dangers, guiding through trials, and securing ultimate flourishing. This portrays wisdom as a reliable and constant guardian.
Proverbs 4 6 Bonus section
- The striking personification of wisdom throughout Proverbs, particularly as a female figure (often juxtaposed against the "forbidden woman" representing folly), makes her not just an abstract concept but a dynamic, desirable, and accessible partner in life. This rhetorical device enhances the call to devotion.
- The emphasis on "loving" wisdom points to an inward disposition of the heart, highlighting that genuine wisdom involves aligning one's deepest affections with divine truth, not merely intellectual assent or outward obedience.
- The reciprocal promises of protection and watching over (
shamarandnatzar) reflect a core covenantal principle in the Scriptures: human faithfulness and obedience elicit divine blessing and preservation. This echoes themes of God's care for those who walk in His ways. - From a New Covenant perspective, Christ is revealed as the very embodiment of divine Wisdom (1 Cor 1:24, 30; Col 2:2-3). Therefore, to embrace and love the Wisdom spoken of in Proverbs 4:6 is ultimately to embrace, love, and commit to Jesus Christ. In Him, all the treasures of wisdom are hidden, and through Him, true and lasting protection and watch care are granted.
Proverbs 4 6 Commentary
Proverbs 4:6 distills a foundational truth for navigating life: true security comes from an active and affectionate relationship with divine Wisdom. This Wisdom, personified as a benevolent female guide, is not an abstract concept or mere intellectual prowess, but the living understanding of God's ways revealed in His Word. The father’s command to "not forsake her" speaks to avoiding negligence and backsliding from righteous paths. His concurrent instruction to "love her" elevates the pursuit of wisdom beyond mere duty to one of deep devotion and delight.
In response to this human fidelity, Wisdom offers profound protection. This protection (shamar and natzar) encompasses more than just physical safety; it safeguards the soul, guards one’s character, steers clear of moral compromises, and guides through life's complex decisions. The benefits are reciprocal and transformative: commitment to Wisdom ensures one's preservation from folly and evil, securing stability and guiding toward a path of righteousness. Practically, this means actively prioritizing God's truth in all decisions, delighting in His commands, and allowing them to shape one's thoughts and actions, leading to a life guarded and directed by divine principles.