What does Proverbs 3:3 mean?

Here, Solomon counsels his student to always value steadfast love and faithfulness. These qualities were to adorn the student's life as a necklace adorns its wearer, and they should be written figurately upon the heart. The Hebrew word translated "steadfast love" by the ESV is he'sed, meaning loyalty to one's covenant. This kind of love is reflected in the lives of people who remain true to their marriage vows.

"Faithfulness" is from the Hebrew word emet. The primary meaning is dependability. When someone is dishonest or deceptive, we may refer to them as "false." The opposite of this is reflected here. Some translations choose words like "truth" for this reason. Throughout a believer's life, he should love God constantly and be dependable in doing what God assigns.

This comment carries a similar message as Deuteronomy 6:8. Literal interpretation of that instruction: for Israel to bind His commands as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes–led the Jews to copy certain texts of Scripture, put them in a leather case, and tie the case to the left arm and forehead at the time of prayer.