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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 4:21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/20_Pro_04_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 4:21 - A Father's Instruction" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/4-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/4-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm" title="Proverbs 4:20">◄</a> Proverbs 4:21 <a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm" title="Proverbs 4:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are not to escape from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not let them deviate from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't forget a single word, but think about it all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let them not depart from thy eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, "" Preserve them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They shall not turn aside from thine eyes; watch them in the midst of thy heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let them not depart from thy eyes, keep them in the midst of thy heart: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Let them not recede from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let them not slip from your sight, keep them within your heart; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Do not let them depart from your eyes; but keep them in the midst of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not let them depart before your eyes but keep them within your heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />that thy fountains may not fail thee; keep them in <i>thine</i> heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/4-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=713" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">A Father's Instruction</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3868.htm" title="3868: yal·lî·zū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To turn aside, depart. A primitive root; to turn aside, i.e. to depart, be perverse.">lose</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: mê·‘ê·ne·ḵā (Prep-m:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">sight of them;</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: mə·rêm (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">keep them</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">within</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lə·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">your heart.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-9</a></span><br />These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. / Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-8.htm">Joshua 1:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Psalm 119:11</a></span><br />I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a></span><br />Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-2.htm">Psalm 1:2</a></span><br />But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-14.htm">Psalm 19:14</a></span><br />May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-11.htm">Isaiah 55:11</a></span><br />so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a></span><br />“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a></span><br />I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-25</a></span><br />Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-15.htm">Luke 8:15</a></span><br />But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-7.htm">John 15:7</a></span><br />If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-23.htm">John 14:23</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-8.htm">Romans 10:8</a></span><br />But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the middle of your heart.</p><p class="hdg">depart</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-3.htm">Proverbs 3:3,21</a></b></br> Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: … </p><p class="hdg">in the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1</a></b></br> My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-8.htm">Psalm 40:8</a></b></br> I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law <i>is</i> within my heart.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/4-19.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-21.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-21.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-21.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/147-13.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-6.htm">Preserve</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-3.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/7-18.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-7.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-9.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-25.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-2.htm">Preserve</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-1.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">persuades to wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">and to show wickedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">He exhorts to sanctification</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not lose sight of them;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on wisdom and understanding. In the biblical context, "them" refers to the teachings and commandments of God, which are often personified as wisdom in the book of Proverbs. The instruction to not lose sight suggests vigilance and constant attention, akin to the way a shepherd watches over his flock. This aligns with <a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-9</a>, where the Israelites are commanded to keep God's words on their hearts and teach them diligently to their children. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on oral tradition and memorization, making the act of keeping God's words in sight a practical necessity for spiritual and communal life.<p><b>keep them within your heart.</b><br>The heart in biblical terms is not just the seat of emotions but the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. To keep wisdom within the heart implies internalizing God's commandments so they influence every aspect of life. This is echoed in <a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Psalm 119:11</a>, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." The heart as a repository for God's word suggests a transformative process, where divine wisdom shapes character and decision-making. This internalization is a precursor to the New Covenant promise in <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>, where God writes His law on the hearts of His people, pointing to the transformative work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a></b><br>In the context of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">Proverbs 4</a>, the father is a figure imparting wisdom to his son, representing God’s wisdom being passed down to His children.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son</a></b><br>The recipient of the wisdom, representing believers who are encouraged to heed and internalize God’s teachings.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, Jerusalem is the cultural and spiritual center of Israel, where wisdom literature like Proverbs would have been highly valued.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart.htm">The Heart</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's inner life, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. It is the place where wisdom should be stored and cherished.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>The heart is the wellspring of life. Believers are called to guard it by keeping God's wisdom and commandments at the forefront of their thoughts and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_engagement.htm">Active Engagement</a></b><br>"Do not lose sight" implies active engagement with God's word. Regular study and meditation on Scripture are essential for spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/internalization_of_wisdom.htm">Internalization of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom should not just be acknowledged intellectually but internalized emotionally and spiritually, influencing every aspect of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consistency_in_practice.htm">Consistency in Practice</a></b><br>Keeping wisdom within the heart requires consistent practice and application in daily life, ensuring that it shapes decisions and behaviors.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faith.htm">Legacy of Faith</a></b><br>Just as Solomon imparted wisdom to his son, believers are encouraged to pass on their faith and understanding to the next generation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_godly_parenting_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about godly parenting?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_generosity_affect_relationships.htm">How can you inscribe mercy and truth in your heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_injustice_to_persist.htm">In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'all_men_are_liars'_imply.htm">What insights does the Bible offer on hacking?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let them not depart from thine eyes;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> keep them constantly in view as the guide of the whole conduct. These words are a repetition of <a href="/proverbs/3-21.htm">Proverbs 3:21</a>, just as the latter part of the verse reproduces the thought of <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1</a>. <span class="accented">Depart.</span> The hiph. <span class="accented">yallizu</span> is here used instead of the kal <span class="accented">yaluzu</span> of <a href="/proverbs/3-21.htm">Proverbs 3:21</a>, but has the same force. <span class="cmt_word">In the midst of thine heart;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> in its inmost recesses; there the words and sayings are to be guarded as a man guards a treasure stowed away in the inmost chambers of a house. The expression implies cherishing them with an internal affection. The terms of the verse may be illustrated by <a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6, 8</a>, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontiers between thine eyes." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/4-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lose</span><br /><span class="heb">יַלִּ֥יזוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yal·lî·zū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3868.htm">Strong's 3868: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside, to depart, be perverse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sight of them;</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ê·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">keep</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֝מְרֵ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them within</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֣וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your heart.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבָבֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/4-21.htm">Proverbs 4:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/4-21.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:21 Let them not depart from your eyes (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 4:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 4:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 4:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 4:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>