Proverbs 7:3
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Original Language Analysis
קָשְׁרֵ֥ם
Bind
H7194
קָשְׁרֵ֥ם
Bind
Strong's:
H7194
Word #:
1 of 7
to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ
them upon thy fingers
H676
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ
them upon thy fingers
Strong's:
H676
Word #:
3 of 7
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
כָּ֝תְבֵ֗ם
write
H3789
כָּ֝תְבֵ֗ם
write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
4 of 7
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Proverbs 3:3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:Isaiah 30:8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: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.2 Corinthians 3:3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.Proverbs 6:21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.Jeremiah 17:1The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
Historical Context
Jewish practice included phylacteries (tefillin) containing Scripture, worn on hands and foreheads. Solomon's instruction here is both literal (physical reminders) and metaphorical (heart transformation), predating formal phylactery tradition.
Questions for Reflection
- What practices help you 'bind' Scripture to your daily life and decision-making?
- How does the progression from external observance to internal transformation reflect the gospel?
- In what ways do you need God's law more deeply written on your heart?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse commands binding God's commandments 'upon thy fingers' and writing them 'upon the table of thine heart.' The Hebrew 'qashar' (bind) and 'kathab' (write) indicate permanent, intimate attachment. This echoes Deuteronomy 6:8 and anticipates the new covenant promise of God's law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). From a Reformed perspective, this points to sanctification—the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit impressing God's truth upon the believer's affections and actions. External symbols must lead to internal transformation.