Proverbs 6:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.

NIV: Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.

NASB: Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.

CSB: Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck.

NLT: Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.

KJV: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

NKJV: Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.

In this verse Solomon emphasizes how tightly his son should clutch his instructions. Israel's Feast of Unleavened Bread was associated with telling one's son to remember what the Lord did for Israel in rescuing her from Egypt. Exodus 13:9 states: "It shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt." Taking this text and Deuteronomy 6:8 literally led to the copying of certain texts of Scripture by the Jews, who enclosed them in leather cases and tied them to the left arm and forehead at the time of prayer.

The point here is not that we must literally wear written words on our bodies. Rather, Solomon's words here impress upon his son the importance of loving and obeying his instructions. Today, we honor these instructions by hiding God's Word in our hearts and obeying it. Scripture, and the teachings of true faith, should be ever-present in our lives and thoughts.

Proverbs 6:20–35 returns to the topic of adultery, something Solomon also discussed in chapter 5. He warns his son to abide by the teaching he received from his parents, because they will guide him and keep him from the adulteress. Further, he cites the harmful and irreversible consequences of adultery.

This chapter provides teaching on two aspects of wealth management. The first is avoiding putting one's property in debt for the sake of some other person's risky investment. The other warns against laziness, indicating that it puts a person at risk for sudden ruin. Solomon then poetically explains attitudes and actions which God finds especially repulsive. Next, Solomon returns to the subject of adultery. He reiterates the inherent risks of sexual immorality, including the catastrophic consequences which it brings. That lesson continues into the following chapter.

This chapter of Proverbs continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his son. In chapter 5 he addresses adultery and marriage. In this chapter he addresses financial matters, work ethics, characteristics and conduct the Lord despises, and sexual immorality. A common theme of these lessons is to avoid the natural consequences of foolish choices. The next chapter describes the adulteress's ways and the pitfalls involved in committing adultery with her.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

Accessed 5/5/2024 5:00:06 PM