Bible Strands
Proverbs 3:21
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses his son in a direct instructional moment, positioned between a declaration of divine wisdom sustaining creation and a promise of spiritual benefit.
The words — The phrase יָלֻ֣זוּ מֵ/עֵינֶ֑י/ךָ (ya.Lu.zu me.'ei.Nei.kha) literally means "they depart from your eyes," while נְצֹר (ne.Tzor) commands the reader to "keep" תֻּ֝שִׁיָּ֗ה (tu.shi.Yah, sound wisdom) and מְזִמָּֽה (me.zi.Mah, discretion).
The thread — This motif of holding instruction close appears in Joshua 1:8, where the law must not depart from one’s mouth, and in Deuteronomy 6:6 and 32:46, which command that God’s words be fixed upon the heart.
Why it lands — The text demands that the reader maintain constant conscious attention to sound judgment and discretion rather than allowing them to fade from mental focus.
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
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Cross-references
- Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
- Deuteronomy 6:6 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.
- Deuteronomy 32:46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.
- Proverbs 4:21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
- Hebrews 2:1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
- Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
- John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
- 1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
- Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
- John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.