Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Original Language Analysis
קְנֵ֣ה
Get
H7069
קְנֵ֣ה
Get
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
1 of 10
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
קְנֵ֣ה
Get
H7069
קְנֵ֣ה
Get
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
3 of 10
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 10
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח
forget
H7911
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח
forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
6 of 10
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 10
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּ֝֗ט
it not neither decline
H5186
תֵּ֝֗ט
it not neither decline
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
8 of 10
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
Cross References
James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.2 Chronicles 34:2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.Psalms 44:18Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;Proverbs 19:8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.Proverbs 8:5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.Proverbs 17:16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?Proverbs 23:23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.Psalms 119:157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.Psalms 119:51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.Job 23:11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Historical Context
Unlike inherited wealth or position, wisdom required personal pursuit and acquisition. Even Solomon's God-given wisdom needed cultivation through diligent study and application of divine truth.
Questions for Reflection
- What have you sacrificed to gain spiritual wisdom, and what more might God require?
- How do you combat spiritual forgetfulness and decline in your walk?
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Analysis & Commentary
The repeated emphasis on getting wisdom (also v. 7) shows its supreme value. The Hebrew 'qanah' (get) means acquire at cost, implying wisdom requires sacrifice. Neither forgetting nor declining suggests the constant danger of spiritual drift—wisdom must be actively retained through renewed commitment and dependence on God's grace.