Proverbs 4:4

Proverbs 4:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
• New International Version (NIV)Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
• English Standard Version (ESV)he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.

Context of Proverbs 4:4

2After all, I have taught you well. Do not abandon my teachings. 3When I was a boy ⌞learning⌟ from my father, when I was a tender and only child of my mother, they used to teach me and say to me, “Cling to my words wholeheartedly. Obey my commands so that you may live. 5Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn away from the words that I have spoken. 6Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you.

Proverbs 4:4 word by word

וַיֹּרֵ֗נִי וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לִ֗י יִֽתְמָךְ־דְּבָרַ֥י לִבֶּ֑ךָ שְׁמֹ֖ר מִצְוֹתַ֣י וֶֽחְיֵֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He taughtיָרָהyârâh yârâ' · to showH3384
• me also, and saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• unto me, Let thine heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• retainתָּמַךְtâmak · to graspH8551
• my wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• keepשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: obeyH8104
• my commandmentsמִצְוָהmitsvâh · commandmentH4687
• and liveחָיָהchâyâh · to liveH2421

Cross-references for Proverbs 4:4

• Proverbs 22:6Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it.
• Genesis 18:19I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his family after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. In this way I, the Lord, will do what I have promised Abraham.”
• 1 Chronicles 22:11⌞David continued,⌟ “Now, son, the Lord will be with you. You will be successful, and you will build the temple of the Lord your God as he predicted you would.
• 1 Chronicles 28:9“And you, my son Solomon, learn to know your father’s God. Serve the Lord wholeheartedly and willingly because he searches every heart and understands every thought ⌞we have⌟. If you dedicate your life to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will reject you from then on.
• Ephesians 6:4Fathers, don’t make your children bitter about life. Instead, bring them up in Christian discipline and instruction.
• 2 Timothy 1:5I’m reminded of how sincere your faith is. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m convinced that it also lives in you.
• 2 Timothy 3:15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Proverbs 3:1My son, do not forget my teachings, and keep my commands in mind,
• Deuteronomy 4:9However, be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you don’t forget the things which you have seen with your own eyes. Don’t let them fade from your memory as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
• Deuteronomy 6:6Take to heart these words that I give you today.
• Psalms 119:11I have treasured your promise in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
• Proverbs 7:2Obey my commands so that you may live. Follow my teachings just as you protect the pupil of your eye.
• Leviticus 18:3You used to live in Egypt. Don’t live the way the Egyptians do. I am bringing you to Canaan. Don’t live the way the Canaanites do. Never live by their standards.
• Isaiah 55:3Open your ears, and come to me! Listen so that you may live! I will make an everlasting promise to you— the blessings I promised to David.
• John 12:50I know that what he commands is eternal life. Whatever I say is what the Father told me to say.”
• Hebrews 5:9After he had finished his work, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him.

Commentaries on Proverbs 4:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He taught me also, and said - Open thy heart to receive my instructions - receive them with affection; when heard, retain and practice them; and thou shalt live - the great purpose of thy being brought into the world shall be accomplished in thee.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4-20Verses 4-20 The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4my commands: The words that describe a father's teaching are also used in Scripture for God's law. Fathers represent God to their children. Wise fathers' teachings align with God's law.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. He taught--or directed me. retain--as well as receive. keep ... and live--observe, that you may live (Pr 7:2).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 4:4

• Children
• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Diligence
• Getting
• Hold
• Look
• Ponder
• Principal
• Promote
• Right
• Stumble
• Hezekiah (2)

Commentaries on Proverbs 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings