Proverbs 3:1
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Original Language Analysis
בְּ֭נִי
My son
H1121
בְּ֭נִי
My son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 7
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
תּוֹרָתִ֣י
not my law
H8451
תּוֹרָתִ֣י
not my law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
2 of 7
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח
forget
H7911
תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח
forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 7
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י
my commandments
H4687
וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י
my commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
5 of 7
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
Cross References
Proverbs 4:5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.Psalms 119:16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.Proverbs 1:8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:Psalms 119:93I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.Psalms 119:34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.Psalms 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.Jeremiah 31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.Deuteronomy 8:1All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.Psalms 119:153Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Historical Context
Solomon wrote these instructions as a father to his son, following the ancient Near Eastern tradition of wisdom literature.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific commandments or biblical teachings have you functionally 'forgotten' by not applying them?
- How can you move from merely knowing God's commands to actively guarding them in your heart?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces chapter 3's series of commands for wise living. 'Forget not my law' (תּוֹרָתִי אַל־תִּשְׁכָּח/torati al-tishkach) uses 'torah' (law/instruction) to denote fatherly teaching rooted in God's revealed will. Forgetting is not mere intellectual lapse but functional rejection—living as if the commandments don't matter. The positive complement, 'let thine heart keep my commandments,' employs 'natsar' (נָצַר), meaning guard, preserve, observe carefully. The 'heart' (לֵב/lev) as the center of volition and affection must actively maintain the commandments, not merely the memory. The verse promises blessing for obedience (v.2): 'length of days, and long life, and peace.' This reflects covenant theology where faithfulness to God's commands brings flourishing.