Bible Strands
Proverbs 19:16
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs issues this instruction to a general reader, framing moral choices within their direct, practical consequences.
The words — The text contrasts שֹׁמֵר (shomer), one who keeps or guards, with בּוֹזֶה (bozeh), one who despises or acts carelessly. It pairs מִצְוָה (mitzvah), a commandment, with the preservation of נַפְשׁוֹ (nafsho), one’s life, while carelessness in דְרָכָיו (derakhav), one’s ways, produces יָמוּת (yamut), death.
The thread — This cause-and-effect pattern reappears in Proverbs 13:13, which ties respect for a command to reward, and surfaces in Luke 10:28 and 1 John 5:3, where keeping commandments is explicitly linked to living and loving God.
Why it lands — The verse states plainly that obedience sustains life while negligence destroys it, demanding a deliberate choice to guard instruction rather than ignore one’s path.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 13:13 He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
- Luke 10:28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”
- 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
- Luke 11:28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
- Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
- 1 John 3:22 and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
- Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
- Ecclesiastes 8:5 Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.
- Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?