Proverbs 3:21
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
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
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 7
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יָלֻ֣זוּ
let not them depart
H3868
יָלֻ֣זוּ
let not them depart
Strong's:
H3868
Word #:
3 of 7
to turn aside , i.e., (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse
מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ
from thine eyes
H5869
מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ
from thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
נְצֹ֥ר
keep
H5341
נְצֹ֥ר
keep
Strong's:
H5341
Word #:
5 of 7
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
Cross References
Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.Proverbs 4:21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.Deuteronomy 4:9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;1 John 2:27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.Proverbs 2:7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.John 8:31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;1 John 2:24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
Historical Context
Ancient scribes and sages cultivated wisdom through constant meditation and memorization. The oral culture demanded active retention of truth, unlike modern reliance on external information storage.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual disciplines help you keep God's wisdom constantly before you?
- Where do you tend to lose sight of godly wisdom in your daily routine?
Analysis & Commentary
Keeping sound wisdom and discretion 'before your eyes' demands constant vigilance. The Hebrew 'natsal' (depart) suggests these can slip away through neglect or distraction. Maintaining godly wisdom requires intentional focus, regular renewal through God's word, and dependence on the Spirit's illumination.