Proverbs 7:2 kjv

Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Proverbs 7:2 nkjv

Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.

Proverbs 7:2 niv

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Proverbs 7:2 esv

keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

Proverbs 7:2 nlt

Obey my commands and live!
Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.

Proverbs 7 verses

Proverbs 7 2 Meaning

Proverbs 7:2 urges the hearer to deeply internalize and carefully obey the divine instructions given by wisdom, viewing them as utterly precious and vital for truly living. It presents God's commandments not as burdensome rules but as a source of genuine life and flourishing, which should be safeguarded with the utmost vigilance, just as one would protect the most delicate and essential part of their vision. This profound guarding of wisdom is presented as the pathway to sustained well-being and spiritual vitality, particularly in the face of temptation.

Proverbs 7 2 Context

Proverbs 7:2 is situated within the "Instruction of Wisdom" (Proverbs 1-9), where a father consistently exhorts his son to embrace wisdom and avoid folly. Chapter 7 specifically warns against the "immoral woman" (the seductress), portraying her deceptive allure and destructive consequences. Verse 2 functions as a critical antithesis and preventative measure against such folly. The preceding verses (7:1-5) directly introduce the need to guard wisdom as a safeguard from temptation. The historical context is ancient Israel, a patriarchal society where the father served as the primary instructor in moral and religious values, often contrasting Yahweh's covenant wisdom with the prevalent idolatrous and immoral practices of surrounding cultures, which included temple prostitution or sexual immorality associated with pagan worship (e.g., Canaanite fertility cults). Thus, the call to guard "my commandments and my law" stands as a firm boundary against spiritual and moral defilement, providing an exclusive and protective way of life under the true God.

Proverbs 7 2 Word analysis

• Keep: (Hebrew: shamar, שָׁמַר) This word means to guard, watch over, observe, preserve, or diligently attend to. It implies an active and protective commitment, not just passive adherence. It suggests a constant vigilance, similar to how one would guard a valuable treasure from being stolen or lost. This action ensures the continued possession and integrity of what is being kept.
• my commandments: (Hebrew: mitzvohtay, מִצְוֹתַי) These are divine injunctions, rules, or decrees. In Proverbs, they refer broadly to the moral and ethical teachings passed down from the wise teacher (the father) which originate from divine wisdom itself. While it echoes the Mosaic Law (mitzvah is often used for a specific law from the Torah), in this wisdom context, it also signifies universal moral principles and divine instructions that guide righteous living.
• and live: (Hebrew: vechyeh, וֶחְיֵה) This is a Qal imperative, meaning "and live!" It’s a direct command implying true, full, and vibrant life. This is not merely physical existence but flourishing, vitality, and well-being in all aspects – spiritual, moral, and sometimes temporal prosperity as a consequence of alignment with divine will. It contrasts sharply with the "paths of death" offered by folly.
• And my law: (Hebrew: v'torati, וְתוֹרָתִי) Torah (instruction, teaching) is often used for the entire body of divine teaching given through Moses, but in wisdom literature, it frequently refers to the comprehensive instruction of the sage or the divine wisdom itself. It encompasses both specific commands and general guidance for righteous conduct. Here, it signifies the cohesive body of wisdom instruction.
• as the apple of your eye: (Hebrew: k'ishon einecha, כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינֶיךָ) This is a vivid metaphor. Ishon literally means "little man" or "pupil," referring to the small image seen reflecting in the pupil of the eye. The pupil is the most vulnerable and precious part of the eye, essential for sight. This phrase signifies something supremely valuable and delicate, which must be protected at all costs due to its irreplaceable importance for one's very functioning and survival.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Keep my commandments and live": This pairing directly connects obedience to wisdom's precepts with the attainment of true life. It presents a divine economy: listen, obey, and experience flourishing. The urgency of "live" is a direct motivation to "keep." This linkage is foundational to biblical thought – particularly in Deuteronomy, where covenant obedience leads to life in the land.
• "And my law as the apple of your eye": This phrase elaborates on how to "keep" God's instruction. It implies an intensity of safeguarding and valuing. Just as one instinctively shields their eye from harm, so too should one instinctively and zealously protect the integrity and practice of divine law. This elevates the "law" beyond mere rules to an essential, life-sustaining, and most precious possession.

Proverbs 7 2 Bonus section

The metaphor of "the apple of your eye" (ishon einecha) goes beyond mere value to convey an intimate, personal, and physically immediate sense of protection. The eye's pupil is not only delicate but also central to one's interaction with the world; to guard it is to guard one's very perception and pathway through life. Spiritually, guarding God's law this way protects one's spiritual vision and discernment. This metaphor also connects with God's own protective care for Israel (Dt 32:10; Ps 17:8; Zec 2:8), implying that as God cherishes His people, so should His people cherish His word. This verse implicitly suggests that true freedom and vitality come not from abandoning divine boundaries, but from meticulously adhering to them, as they define the secure space for abundant life. The call to "live" is often paired with specific promises of prosperity and peace within the covenant, though the ultimate promise extends to spiritual life with God.

Proverbs 7 2 Commentary

Proverbs 7:2 succinctly presents wisdom's essential command: wholeheartedly embrace and rigorously guard divine instruction as the source of true life. This verse serves as a preventative against the deceptive lures of sin, specifically the seductive woman in this chapter. The "commandments" and "law" are not burdensome codes but benevolent guidance for flourishing. Valuing this guidance "as the apple of your eye" underscores its irreplaceable worth and delicate nature, requiring utmost care and vigilance. It signifies a profound, protective cherishing of truth, integrating it deeply into one's being and prioritizing it above all else. Obedience here is not external ritual, but an internal commitment that yields a vibrant life. Practically, this means constant study, meditation, and immediate application of God's Word, treating its principles as vital to every decision and resisting anything that compromises its authority or integrity in one's life. For example, if faced with temptation to dishonesty for financial gain, one guards the commandment "do not steal" and "do not lie" as the apple of their eye, prioritizing integrity (life) over illicit gain (death/folly). Similarly, when navigating societal pressures or alluring sin, valuing divine purity and holiness with such care means actively turning away and finding refuge in God's instructions.