Proverbs 19:16

Proverbs 19:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.

Context of Proverbs 19:16

14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry. Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. 17Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. 18Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Proverbs 19:16 word by word

שֹׁמֵ֣ר מִ֭צְוָה שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ בּוֹזֵ֖ה דְרָכָ֣יו יָמֽוּת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that keepethשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: obeyH8104
• the commandmentמִצְוָהmitsvâh · commandmentH4687
• keepethשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• his own soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: lifeH5315
• he that despisethבָּזָהbâzâh · to despiseH959
• his waysדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• shall dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191

Cross-references for Proverbs 19:16

• Proverbs 3:1My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
• Proverbs 29:18Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
• Psalms 103:18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
• Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
• Jeremiah 7:23but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.
• Luke 10:28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
• John 14:15“If you love me, keep my commands.
• John 15:10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
• 1 Corinthians 7:19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
• 1 John 2:3We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
• 1 John 3:22and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
• 1 John 5:3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
• Revelation 22:14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
• Proverbs 16:17The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
• Proverbs 21:23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Commentaries on Proverbs 19:16

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Keepeth his own soul - i. e., His life in the truest and highest sense.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Following God's commandments, the law of Moses, keeps a person safe (see Deuteronomy 28:15–68).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13). despiseth ... ways--opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 19:16

• Impenitence
• Obedience
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Judgment
• Pity
• Scorner
• Slothfulness
• Careless; Carelessly
• Die
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 19

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings