Proverbs 7:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

NIV: Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

NASB: Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

CSB: Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

NLT: Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

KJV: Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

NKJV: Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

In this verse Solomon exhorts his son to keep the lessons he is learning close to his heart and close to his mind. This is compared to wearing rings or a symbolic writing surface on the heart. At one point in western culture, it was common to tell people to "tie a string around your finger," as a reminder of something. Since that would be easily noticed, and seen, it would keep whatever was to be remembered at the front of the person's mind. This is the same spirit in which Solomon speaks to his son. He does not want his son to forget his wise sayings.

Believers should never forget God's Word. Meditating on the Word daily is a good way to keep it fresh in one's memory. When the Devil launches temptations at us, we can answer the temptations with Scripture, as Jesus did. When tempted, He told the Devil, "It is written…" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). If the Word is written on the tablet of a believer's heart, he will delight in the Word. He will love the Lord, and he will obey him (John 14:15).

Proverbs 7:1–9 echoes the warnings given in Proverbs chapters 5 and 6. This section emphasizes the value of carefully heeding Solomon's instruction. Such attention to Solomon's teaching equips Solomon's son to avoid falling victim to an adulteress. While the statements here are specifically directed to a man, the principles apply to men and women, alike. The principles can also be more broadly applied to temptation to sin in general, not just temptation to adultery. Godly wisdom is the best defense against falling into temptation.

Repeating a theme common to the early chapters of Proverbs, Solomon once again presents a dire warning about the dangers of adultery. This comes in the form of a story about a foolish young man being seduced by a predatory woman. Solomon says this is something he has seen—meaning this is likely a summary of many such examples he has witnessed in his life. The result of these reckless sins is misery and death, for both men and women alike.

In Proverbs 5 and 6 Solomon warns his son against adultery. He describes the evil woman, the adulteress, as deceptive and dangerous. While this is valid in a literal sense, it also serves as a general warning about the seductive nature of sin. In this chapter he continues his counsel about adultery, stressing the tactics used in temptation and how falling to them leads to death. The following chapter will return to the personification of wisdom as a woman, begging to be honored.

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 4/28/2024 7:00:55 PM