Proverbs 7:1 kjv

My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

Proverbs 7:1 nkjv

My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.

Proverbs 7:1 niv

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

Proverbs 7:1 esv

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;

Proverbs 7:1 nlt

Follow my advice, my son;
always treasure my commands.

Proverbs 7 verses

Proverbs 7 1 Meaning

Proverbs 7:1 is a heartfelt and authoritative appeal from a wise father (or personified Wisdom) to a "son," urging the diligent embrace and internal safeguarding of moral and divine instruction. It functions as a foundational command to receive wisdom, emphasizing that spiritual and ethical truths must not merely be heard, but actively obeyed and deeply treasured within one's being. This internalization is presented as the primary safeguard against the temptations of folly and the dangers that loom, particularly those personified by the "forbidden woman" in the subsequent verses.

Proverbs 7 1 Context

Proverbs 7:1 serves as a pivotal introduction to a prolonged warning against the "forbidden woman," which unfolds throughout the rest of chapter 7. Within the book of Proverbs, it continues the didactic tradition where a father instructs his son in the paths of wisdom. This verse immediately precedes a vivid portrayal of a youth ensnared by an adulteress, thus highlighting the urgency and critical importance of internalizing wisdom's principles as a protective shield. Historically, this counsel was vital in ancient Israelite society, which prioritized family integrity and moral uprightness. It also served as an indirect polemic against the pervasive promiscuity associated with surrounding pagan cultures and their religious practices, where sexual immorality was sometimes part of fertility cults, undermining the purity demanded by the LORD's covenant. The "strange woman" or "foreign woman" can thus represent both a literal threat and any philosophy or way of life contrary to God's covenant and wisdom.

Proverbs 7 1 Word analysis

• My son (בְּנִ֗י, bənî): This affectionate yet authoritative address is characteristic of Proverbs (e.g., Prov 1:8; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1). It highlights a deep personal relationship and pedagogical intent, moving beyond mere instruction to intimate discipleship. The instruction is not detached advice but a paternal inheritance.
• keep (שְׁמֹ֣ר, šəmōr): From the Hebrew root šamar, meaning "to guard," "watch," "observe," or "preserve." It implies active, diligent attention and obedience. It's more than passive hearing; it suggests watchful vigilance and proactive safeguarding of the words from neglect or deviation, as one would guard a precious possession or a covenant obligation (e.g., keeping the Law).
• my words (אֲמָרַ֑י, ’ămārāy): Plural of 'emer, referring to the father's specific sayings, instructions, and wise counsel. It denotes the spoken content of wisdom, the articulate pronouncements that guide life.
• and store up (וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י תִּצְפֹּ֥ן, ûmiṣwōṯay tiṣpōt):
  • The conjunction 'u- means "and," linking this command to the previous one, showing a cumulative action.
  • store up (תִּצְפֹּ֥ן, tiṣpōt): From the root ṣaphan, meaning "to hide," "lay up," "treasure," or "store away." It implies an intentional act of preservation, as one would conceal something valuable to protect it from theft or loss, or to reserve it for future use (e.g., treasure, resources). This goes beyond outward obedience to deep, internal preservation.
• my commands (מִצְוֹתַ֗י, miṣwōṯay): Plural of mitzvah, implying more binding, authoritative instructions, precepts, or ordinances, similar to divine commandments (Torah). This word often carries a weight of divine obligation and a call to moral and spiritual action.
• within you (אִתָּֽךְ׃, ’ittāḵ): Literally "with you." This prepositions points to the inner self, the heart or innermost being, as the repository for these vital instructions. It means not just having them external, but making them an integral, inseparable part of one's character, thought, and moral compass.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• My son, keep my words: This phrase establishes the affectionate yet authoritative relationship and the immediate, active responsibility to listen and heed. It implies an initial, outward adherence to received wisdom.
• and store up my commands within you: This extends the initial call to obedience into a deeper, more internal spiritual discipline. "Store up" points to internalization and safeguarding, ensuring that these weightier, authoritative "commands" are not merely observed externally but become part of one's inner being ("within you"), forming an unshakeable moral foundation that is always accessible for guidance and protection. This parallelism highlights both active compliance and deep internalization.

Proverbs 7 1 Bonus section

• The structure of this verse, with its synonymous parallelism, underscores the absolute importance of the father's instruction. Both "words" and "commands" (and "keep" and "store up") reiterate the single, potent message: internalize wisdom.
• The emphasis on the heart ("within you") in storing up commands is significant in Hebrew thought, as the heart is considered the seat of intellect, will, and emotion—the very core of one's being where character is formed and moral decisions are made.
• This verse establishes the "control center" for decision-making. If wisdom's words are deeply lodged within, they act as an internal GPS or filter, helping to direct steps away from sin and toward life.
• The wisdom taught here is not abstract philosophy but practical, life-preserving truth, explicitly designed to guard the individual from real and present dangers, epitomized by sexual impurity.

Proverbs 7 1 Commentary

Proverbs 7:1 delivers an urgent and fundamental directive from a wise instructor to a protégé: embrace and internalize the teachings of wisdom. This is not a mere suggestion but a vital imperative for navigating life's moral complexities, particularly the insidious threat of the forbidden woman detailed immediately thereafter. The command to "keep" (actively obey) implies continuous vigilance and application of these principles in daily conduct. Coupled with this is the injunction to "store up" (deeply embed) these authoritative "commands" "within you," signifying an inward assimilation where wisdom becomes an inherent part of one's conscience and character. This internalization serves as the soul's fortified dwelling, ensuring that these truths are not only remembered but are available as an automatic defense against temptation and folly. It implies a heart prepared, filled with divine instruction, able to discern and resist deceptive lures. This deep spiritual foundation is essential for a life of purity and righteous discernment.