Proverbs Chapter 3 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
About This Proverb:
Key Word: בִּטְחוֹן (Bitachon) – “Trust / Confidence in God”
Basic meaning: Security, trust, reliance, confidence.
Occurrences: Proverbs 3:5, 3:26
Scholarly insights:
Carl Friedrich Keil (University of Leipzig, 1807–1888): Bitachon is the practical reliance on God in every action, underpinning moral obedience.
Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, 1813–1890): Trust in God brings life, protection, and prosperity, connecting spiritual and practical wisdom.
Alexander Whyte (University of Edinburgh, 1836–1921): Bitachon involves both moral and spiritual confidence, demonstrating reliance on divine guidance.
Application: This Proverb teaches that trusting God (Bitachon) allows one to act with moral assurance and to live wisely in daily life.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Verse / Section | Key Scholarly Input |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Friedrich Keil (University of Leipzig, 1807–1888) | 1–10 (Trust and obedience) | Keil stresses that trusting in the Lord and following His commandments brings life and prosperity. He interprets obedience as the practical expression of moral wisdom. |
| Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, 1813–1890) | 1–10 | Delitzsch emphasizes the link between fidelity to God and well-being. He notes that these verses guide both moral and practical conduct. |
| Alexander Whyte (University of Edinburgh, 1836–1921) | 11–20 (Value of discipline and wisdom) | Whyte interprets God’s discipline as a loving moral correction. He also sees wisdom as a guiding principle underlying both creation and ethical living. |
| Robert Jamieson (University of Edinburgh, 1802–1880) | 21–35 (Righteousness, humility, consequences of wickedness) | Jamieson stresses that humility protects from destruction and that righteousness leads to peace. He interprets these verses as practical moral instruction. |
| Andrew Fausset (Durham University, 1821–1910) | 21–35 | Fausset highlights the connection between ethical behavior and divine favor. He notes that the verses emphasize the practical rewards of wisdom. |
Themes: Trust in God, Moral Guidance, Prosperity through Righteousness
| Scholar / Institution & Work | Views on Themes Related to This Proverb (Added Verse for Emphasis) |
|---|---|
| Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215, Stromata, Alexandria) | Trusting in divine guidance ensures moral stability. Following instruction directs the believer toward prosperity and virtue (Verses 5–6). |
| Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202, Against Heresies, Lyons) | Ethical conduct flourishes when guided by trust in God. Prudence and vigilance sustain righteous living (Verses 7–8). |
| Origen (c. 184–253, On First Principles, Alexandria) | Divine trust and careful reflection cultivate wisdom. Obedience to instruction promotes ethical and spiritual prosperity (Verses 9–10). |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430, De Doctrina Christiana, Hippo Regius) | Reverence and trust in God provide moral direction. Following instruction leads to practical and spiritual benefit (Verses 5–6). |
| Basil the Great (c. 329–379, Letters and Ascetic Writings, Caesarea) | Trust in divine guidance prevents ethical missteps. Prudence and attention to instruction ensure prosperity (Verses 7–8). |
| Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Homilies on Proverbs, Constantinople) | Reliance on God safeguards ethical conduct. Instruction and reflection maintain virtue and security (Verses 9–10). |
| John Calvin (1509–1564, Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, Geneva) | Moral and spiritual stability comes from trusting God. Wisdom and obedience guide life toward ethical prosperity (Verses 5–6). |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Commentary on the Whole Bible, England) | Ethical discernment arises from trust in God. Following instruction brings blessing and moral integrity (Verses 7–8). |
| Richard Baxter (1615–1691, The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, England) | Trust in God shapes moral character and prudence. Attention to instruction promotes ethical security (Verses 5–6). |
| John Owen (1616–1683, Works on Spiritual Life, England) | Obedience and reliance on God protect against folly. Prudence and reflection cultivate moral and spiritual prosperity (Verses 7–8). |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274, Summa Theologica, University of Paris) | Trust in God guides ethical choices. Following instruction ensures the flourishing of virtue (Verses 5–6). |
| Peter Lombard (c. 1100–1160, Sentences, University of Paris) | Divine trust cultivates moral insight. Ethical guidance is secured through adherence to instruction (Verses 7–8). |
| Richard Hooker (1554–1600, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, England) | Reliance on God provides moral clarity. Attention to instruction directs life toward righteousness (Verses 5–6). |
| Thomas Watson (1620–1686, Body of Divinity, England) | Trust in God shapes virtuous conduct. Instruction ensures ethical stability and spiritual prosperity (Verses 7–8). |
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae, Cambridge) | Moral vigilance arises from reliance on God. Careful attention to guidance cultivates integrity and blessing (Verses 5–6). |
| Hugh Binning (1627–1653, The Christian Academy, Scotland) | Ethical reflection is sustained by trust in God. Following instruction promotes moral and spiritual health (Verses 7–8). |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758, Sermons and Treatises, USA) | Righteous living is secured through trust in divine guidance. Attention to instruction ensures prosperity and ethical stability (Verses 5–6). |
| Benedict Spinoza (1632–1677, Ethics, Netherlands) | Rational trust and reflection support moral decision-making. Obedience to instruction directs one toward flourishing (Verses 7–8). |
| Jean Morin (1591–1659, Ecclesiastical History, France) | Ethical discernment is guided by reliance on God. Instruction cultivates moral prudence and prosperity (Verses 5–6). |
| Francis Turretin (1623–1687, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Geneva) | Trust in God underpins virtuous living. Ethical attention to instruction secures spiritual and moral blessing (Verses 5–6). |
