Proverbs 23:19

¶ Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

Hear {H8085} thou, my son {H1121}, and be wise {H2449}, and guide {H833} thine heart {H3820} in the way {H1870}.

You, my son: listen, be wise, and set your mind on the right way

Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.

Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way.

Proverbs 23:19 delivers a direct and earnest appeal from a wise mentor, likely a father, to his son, emphasizing the critical importance of internal disposition and moral direction. It is a call to not just acquire knowledge, but to embody wisdom and live purposefully.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader collection of "Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17 - 24:34), which are practical instructions for living a righteous and fulfilling life. Immediately preceding this verse are warnings against gluttony, drunkenness, and associating with those who are rebellious or wasteful. The call to "hear" and "be wise" serves as an overarching principle for navigating these temptations and choosing a path of integrity over indulgence and foolishness. It underscores that outward behavior stems from the inner condition of the heart.

Key Themes

  • The Call to Wisdom: The admonition "be wise" is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a call to practical discernment and righteous living. Biblical wisdom (chokmah) involves applying divine truth to daily life, making choices that honor God and lead to flourishing.
  • Guidance of the Heart: The "heart" (leb) in Hebrew thought is not just the seat of emotions, but the core of a person's being—their intellect, will, conscience, and intentions. To "guide thine heart in the way" means to intentionally direct one's deepest thoughts, desires, and motivations towards God's righteous path, rather than letting them stray into folly or sin. This internal discipline is foundational to external conduct.
  • Paternal Instruction: The phrase "my son" highlights the loving, authoritative, and deeply personal nature of this wisdom instruction. It reflects the ongoing tradition of intergenerational teaching within Israel, where elders passed on vital spiritual and moral truths.
  • The Righteous "Way": The "way" (derek) signifies a course of life, a moral direction, or a lifestyle. The wise son is urged to align his entire being with the path of righteousness, which is distinct from the paths of wickedness, foolishness, or destruction often described in Proverbs.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "hear" is shama, which implies more than just auditory perception; it means to listen attentively, understand, and obey. This deep hearing is the prerequisite for true wisdom. The term for "heart," leb, encompasses the totality of one's inner person—the mind, will, emotions, and moral compass. Therefore, "guiding the heart" is about intentional self-governance and moral alignment.

Practical Application

Proverbs 23:19 remains profoundly relevant today. It reminds us that:

  • Wisdom is a Choice: We must actively choose to listen to and apply God's Word, rather than passively absorb influences from the world.
  • Inner Life Matters Most: Our actions flow from our inner state. Cultivating a heart aligned with God's principles is paramount. This echoes the teaching to "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).
  • Intentional Direction: We are called to consciously direct our thoughts, desires, and intentions towards what is good and righteous, rather than letting our hearts be swayed by fleeting desires or societal pressures. This involves prayer, meditation on Scripture, and seeking godly counsel.
  • Lifelong Learning: The call to "be wise" is an ongoing process, requiring continuous learning and adjustment of our "way" according to divine wisdom.

This verse encourages us to prioritize internal transformation as the foundation for a life that honors God and blesses others.

Related Scriptures

  • For the importance of hearing and obeying: Deuteronomy 6:4 (Shema Israel).
  • For the source of wisdom: Proverbs 1:7 (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge).
  • For the concept of "the way": Psalm 1:6 (The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish).
  • For the heart as the source of action: Matthew 15:19 (For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 23:26

    My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

  • Proverbs 4:10

    Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

  • Proverbs 6:6

    ¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

  • Proverbs 23:12

    ¶ Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

  • Proverbs 9:6

    Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

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