Proverbs 7:1 — Word Study
WLCבְּ֭נִי שְׁמֹ֣ר אֲמָרָ֑י וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י תִּצְפֹּ֥ן אִתָּֽךְ׃
BSAMy sonbên [beloved] keepshâmar [obey, guard] my wordsʼêmer [sayings, commands] and treasuretsâphan▸ [hide, store up] my commandmentsmitsvâh [laws, precepts] within youʼêth [with, near]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּ֭נִי | O son my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| שְׁמֹ֣ר | keep | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| אֲמָרָ֑י | words my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י | and commandments my | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| תִּצְפֹּ֥ן | you will treasure | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| אִתָּֽךְ׃ | with you | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. |
| KJV | My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. |
| ASV | My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee. |
| YLT | My son! keep my sayings, And my commands lay up with thee. |
| WEB | My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. |
| BBE | My son, keep my sayings, and let my rules be stored up with you. |
The translations agree on the key terms in this verse, emphasizing the importance of keeping and treasuring the father's teachings.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by two actions, highlighting the father's directives.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 7:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 7:1 is a father’s instruction to his son, emphasizing the importance of adhering to his words and valuing his commandments. This passage is part of a larger discourse on wisdom, urging the son to embrace teachings that lead to life and understanding, as seen in the following verses that continue to build on this theme of guidance and protection.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 1:8 | Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. |
| 2 | Proverbs 3:1 | My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; |
| 3 | Luke 8:15 | But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop. |
| 4 | Luke 11:28 | But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” |
| 5 | John 14:23 | Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בֵּן, Be.nigenerated
The word בֵּן (ben) means 'son' and signifies a male child or descendant. It encompasses a range of meanings, including familial relationships and lineage, reflecting the importance of these connections in the biblical context.
This word is used to establish a personal relationship, as the father speaks to his son, indicating care and instruction. It appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing the role of sons in family and society.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses keep and treasure to convey the actions the son is to take regarding the father's words and commandments.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is שְׁמֹ֣ר, keep, commanding the son to take action regarding the father's words, while the second verb תִּצְפֹּ֥ן, you will treasure, indicates a further action to be taken. The structure emphasizes the imperative nature of the father's instructions.
The sentence is composed of two main clauses, each with a verb that directs the son’s actions, reflecting a clear and straightforward instructional style typical of wisdom literature.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew בֵּן is rendered as υἱέ (huios), which also means 'son' and carries the same familial connotation. This translation maintains the relational aspect of the instruction.
The choice of φύλασσε for שְׁמֹ֣ר reflects a similar emphasis on guarding or keeping, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 7:1 is a father telling his son to keep his words and treasure his commandments. This advice highlights the importance of valuing and protecting the teachings that guide one's life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep the father's words means to obey and guard them, ensuring that they are followed and remembered.
Treasuring commandments means valuing them highly and making them a central part of one's life, leading to wisdom and understanding.
You can apply this verse by actively remembering and following wise teachings and principles that guide your actions.
Examples include moral guidelines from religious texts, family values, and personal principles that lead to a fulfilling life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some teachings from my parents or mentors that I treasure?
- How can I better keep and apply wise advice in my daily life?
- In what ways do I show that I value the commandments I have received?
- How can I encourage others to treasure wisdom and guidance?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers often referenced Proverbs for moral instruction. Here, Bede comments on the importance of keeping the father's words in the context of wisdom literature.
My son, keep my words, etc. And this section is the same as previously explained more fully under the person of the harlot.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 7 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 7:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy son, keep my words,.... Doctrines and instructions; which, as a father to a son, or a master to his scholars, he had delivered; these he would have him observe and attend to; and lay up my
Read John Gill on Proverbs 7 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Proverbs 7:1-27.-Prefatory exhortation to retaining firmly wisdom as the safeguard against the strange woman (Proverbs 7:1-5).
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 7 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.Ver. 1. My son, keep my words.] Aristotle hath observed, and daily experience makes it good, that man shows his weakness no way more than about moderating the pleasure ef his tasting and touching, forasmuch as they belong to him, not as a man, but as a living creature. Now therefore as where the hedge is lowest, there the beast leaps over soonest, so Satan will be sure to assault us where we are least able to withstand him. And whereas old men have no cause to be secure - (David was old when he went in to Bathsheba, and Lot not young when he deflowered his two daughters; - of the Brabonts it is said, that quo magis…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 7 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER VII A farther exhortation to acquire wisdom, in order to be preserved from impure connections, 1-5. The character of a harlot, and her conduct towards a youth who fell into her snare, 6-23. Solemn exhortations to avoid this evil, 24-27. NOTES ON CHAP. VII Verse 1. My son, keep my words] See Proverbs 2:1.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 7 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesProverbs 7:1-4] Compare the similar exhortations Proverbs 1:8-9, Proverbs 2:1-5, Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 3:21-22, Proverbs 4:20-21, Proverbs 6:20-23.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 7 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe harlot adulteress of an Eastern city is contrasted with the true feminine ideal of the Wisdom who is to be the “sister” and “kinswoman” Proverbs 7:4 of the young man as he goes on his way through life. See Prov.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 7 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible1. Keep… lay up my commandments — Treasure them up in thy mind, as in a storehouse. For similar forms see Proverbs 1:18; Proverbs 2:1; Proverbs 6:20.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 7 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you.
My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
My child, keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping.
Tyndale line
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
My sonne, keepe my wordes, and hide my commandements with thee.
Strictly literal
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
My son! keep my sayings, And my commands lay up with thee.
My son! Keep my sayings, || And lay up my commands with you.
My son, observe my sayings, and my commandments must thou treasure up with thee.
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within yourself.
From the Latin
My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with thee. Son,
Simplified
My son, accept what I say and value my instructions.
My son, keep my sayings, and let my rules be stored up with you.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 7:1 reads, "My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you," which is closely matched by the Septuagint, where all six words correspond directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. This indicates a strong agreement between the two texts in terms of content, reinforcing the consistency of the message across these ancient witnesses.
בְּ֭נִי שְׁמֹ֣ר אֲמָרָ֑י וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י תִּצְפֹּ֥ן אִתָּֽךְ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 7:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
The Hebrew word אֹמֶר (*'omer*) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, often used in a poetic or exalted context. It is derived from the root meaning 'to say' and encompasses meanings like saying, promise, and command. The entries collectively emphasize its use in elevated language.
אֹמֶר n.m. utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style
base
H561 אֹמֶר utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style
561 'emer ay'-mer
from 559; something said:--answer, X appointed unto him,
saying, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0559
אֵמֶר (e.mer) — word.
utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.
מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment
base
H4687 מִצְוָה commandment
4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'
from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,
the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.
1) commandment
1a) commandment (of man)
1b) the commandment (of God)
1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
Conj | N-fp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncfpc/Sp1bs
צָפַן (tsaphan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to hide or treasure up. It can refer to hiding something by covering it, storing it, or keeping it secret. The word has various forms, including Qal (to hide), Niphal (to be hidden), and Hiphil (to hide from discovery). It conveys both protective and secretive connotations.
צָפַן vb. hide, treasure up
Qal
trans. hide
intrans. lie hid, lurk
Niph. be hidden from before
Hiph. hide
base
H6845 צָפַן hide, treasure up
6845 tsaphan tsaw-fan'
a primitive root; to hide (by covering over); by implication,
to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically
(favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk:--esteem,
hide(-den one, self), lay up, lurk (be set) privily, (keep)
secret(-ly, place).
צָפַן (tsa.phan) — to treasure.
1) to hide, treasure, treasure or store up
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to hide, treasure, treasure up
1a2) to lie hidden, lurk
1b) (Niphal) to be hidden, be stored up
1c) (Hiphil) to hide, hide from discovery
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms
The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.
אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity
Of companionship, together with
Of localities
אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially
in one's possession or keeping
in one's knowledge or memory
מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
base
H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with
. Of localities
. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping
. in one's knowledge or memory
. מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
854 'eth ayth
probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a
preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,
at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,
in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional
prefix.
see HEBREW for 0579
אֵת (et) — with.
1) with, near, together with
1a) with, together with
1b) with (of relationship)
1c) near (of place)
1d) with (poss.)
1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms