Proverbs 6:2

KJV

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou art snared {H3369} with the words {H561} of thy mouth {H6310}, thou art taken {H3920} with the words {H561} of thy mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you have been snared by the words of your mouth, caught by the words of your own mouth.

Berean Standard Bible

if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth,

American Standard Version

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 6:2 delivers a profound and urgent warning against the self-inflicted consequences of one's own speech, particularly in the context of making binding commitments or acting as surety for another. The verse employs vivid and striking imagery of being caught in a trap, emphasizing that the entanglement is not externally imposed but arises directly and inescapably from the words spoken by the individual, thereby highlighting the immense, binding, and often perilous power inherent in human utterance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral and climactic part of a larger, urgent admonition found in [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6-1-5 "Proverbs 6:1-5 - Warning Against Suretyship"). The wisdom writer, traditionally Solomon, initiates this section by cautioning against the highly perilous act of becoming surety for a neighbor or stranger, which in ancient Near Eastern legal and social systems meant guaranteeing another person's debt or obligation. The "words of thy mouth" in [Proverbs 6:2](/proverbs/6-2 "Proverbs 6:2 - The Snare of Words") specifically refer to the verbal agreement, oath, or promise made in such a transaction, which carried immense legal and social weight. The subsequent verses ([Proverbs 6:3-5](/proverbs/6-3-5 "Proverbs 6:3-5 - Urgent Action to Be Free")) advise immediate, decisive, and humble action to seek release from such a binding promise before its potentially ruinous consequences materialize, underscoring the gravity and urgency of the situation presented by the self-imposed snare of one's words.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in much of the ancient Near East, verbal agreements, oaths, and promises were considered profoundly binding, often carrying the same, if not greater, weight than written contracts. Society operated on a high degree of communal trust, and a person's "word" was their bond, a reflection of their integrity and honor. Becoming surety (or a guarantor) for another's debt was a common, yet exceptionally risky, practice. If the primary debtor defaulted, the surety was legally and morally obligated to cover the debt, which could lead to severe personal financial ruin, the loss of land, or even temporary enslavement. This cultural backdrop significantly amplifies the warning in [Proverbs 6:2](/proverbs/6-2 "Proverbs 6:2 - The Snare of Words"), as the spoken word was not merely casual communication but a potent instrument that could create inescapable obligations and dire, life-altering consequences for the speaker.
* **Key Themes:** The central and overarching theme is the **Power of Speech**, highlighting that words are not ephemeral or inconsequential but possess tangible power to bind, create, and even destroy. This profound idea resonates throughout wisdom literature and indeed the entire biblical narrative, as vividly articulated in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue"), which declares, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Closely related is the theme of **Hasty Commitments**, warning against impulsive promises, ill-considered vows, or agreements, especially those with significant financial, relational, or moral implications. The proverb teaches that such ill-considered utterances can lead directly to entrapment and profound regret. Finally, the verse underscores **Personal Responsibility**, placing the onus squarely and unequivocally on the individual for the words they utter and the entanglements they create, emphasizing that one is caught by their *own* words, not by external forces or the machinations of others, thereby promoting a deep sense of accountability for one's verbal output.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **snared (Hebrew, _yâqôsh'_):** This word (H3369) is a primitive root meaning "to ensnare," often specifically used in the context of a fowler laying a trap for birds or animals. It conveys the idea of being caught unexpectedly, cunningly, and often inescapably in a device designed for capture. In this verse, the trap is profoundly metaphorical, constructed not by an external agent but by one's own words, implying a self-imposed predicament from which extrication is exceedingly difficult and often costly.
* **taken (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** This word (H3920) is a primitive root meaning "to catch (in a net, trap or pit)" or "to capture or occupy." It powerfully reinforces the imagery of being seized, held fast, and unable to escape, much like prey caught by a hunter. Its direct parallel use alongside "snared" intensifies the sense of being utterly trapped and unable to extricate oneself, emphasizing the binding, inescapable, and often overwhelming nature of the verbal commitment that has been made.
* **words (Hebrew, _ʼêmer'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to say" (אָמַר, _ʼâmar_), this word (H561) refers to "something said," a "saying," "speech," or generally, "a word." It highlights the specific medium through which the snare is laid: not by physical action, external force, or a written document, but by the very utterances that issue from one's mouth. This emphasizes the intrinsic power, gravity, and consequence embedded within spoken language itself, making it the direct instrument of one's own entanglement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth":** This opening clause directly addresses the individual, stating unequivocally that their entrapment is a direct and unavoidable result of their own verbal pronouncements. The imagery of being "snared" evokes a sudden, often unforeseen, and difficult-to-escape capture, suggesting that the speaker may not have fully grasped the profound and binding implications of their words when they were uttered. The crucial point is that the snare is not laid by an enemy or external circumstance but by the very speech that issues from one's own being, highlighting self-responsibility.
* **"thou art taken with the words of thy mouth":** This second clause functions as a powerful synonymous parallel, reiterating, reinforcing, and intensifying the warning presented in the first clause. The word "taken" powerfully reinforces the idea of being captured, seized, and held fast, emphasizing the inescapable and binding nature of the predicament. The deliberate repetition of the phrase "with the words of thy mouth" serves to underscore the self-inflicted nature of the trap, leaving absolutely no doubt that the individual's own speech is the precise instrument of their binding. The double emphasis highlights the extreme gravity, finality, and personal accountability associated with such verbal commitments.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 6:2 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and serious warning. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line ("thou art taken with the words of thy mouth") directly reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first line ("Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth"). This deliberate repetition reinforces the core message, driving home the inescapable and self-imposed nature of the trap. The verse also utilizes powerful **Metaphorical Imagery**, drawing vividly from the world of hunting and trapping. The words "snared" and "taken" evoke the visceral picture of an animal caught in a fowler's net or a pit, making the abstract concept of a verbal commitment tangible, immediate, and dire. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the phrase "with the words of thy mouth" serves as an insistent and emphatic reminder that the sole source of the predicament is internal and self-generated, thereby profoundly emphasizing personal responsibility for one's speech and its far-reaching consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 6:2 offers a profound theological insight into the very nature of human speech, affirming that words are not inert or fleeting but carry immense spiritual and material weight, reflecting in a finite way the very character of God, who spoke the cosmos into existence. This proverb underscores the pervasive biblical emphasis on integrity, truthfulness, and the sanctity of oaths and promises, echoing the divine attribute of covenant faithfulness. It serves as a stark reminder that our words, like God's, possess creative and binding power, and we are held morally and spiritually accountable for their consequences, both before God and humanity. This principle extends far beyond the specific context of financial surety to encompass all forms of verbal commitments, highlighting the moral imperative to speak with profound wisdom, careful deliberation, and unwavering truth, recognizing that our words can either build up or tear down, liberate or ensnare.

* [James 1:19](/james/1-19 "James 1:19 - Be Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak")
* [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Account for Every Idle Word")
* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 6:2 offers timeless and universally applicable wisdom that transcends its original context of financial surety, speaking powerfully to the modern believer about the immense power, profound responsibility, and potential peril inherent in our words. In an age characterized by instant communication, pervasive social media, and the ease of digital contracts, the warning against hasty, ill-considered, or careless speech is more relevant and urgent than ever. This proverb calls us to cultivate a posture of careful deliberation, thoughtful prudence, and intentional mindfulness before speaking, especially when making promises, entering agreements, offering advice, or expressing opinions that carry significant weight. It challenges us to consider the long-term implications, both seen and unseen, of our verbal commitments, whether they occur in intimate personal relationships, complex professional dealings, or even seemingly casual conversations. Living out the wisdom of this proverb means fostering unwavering integrity in all our communication, ensuring that our "yes" truly means yes and our "no" unequivocally means no, thereby building trust, preserving reputation, and avoiding self-inflicted snares that can lead to regret and ruin. It profoundly encourages us to be diligent stewards of our words, recognizing their inherent capacity to build up or tear down, to bind or to free, to bless or to curse.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I most prone to making hasty or ill-considered verbal commitments?**
* **How can I intentionally practice greater mindfulness, deliberation, and prayerful consideration before speaking, especially when making significant promises or agreements?**
* **What practical steps can I implement to ensure that my words consistently reflect integrity, truthfulness, and wisdom in all my interactions?**
* **How does my use of language in digital spaces (e.g., social media posts, emails, online comments) align with the profound wisdom and warning of this proverb?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to be "snared" and "taken" by one's words?**

Answer: To be "snared" and "taken" by one's words means to be caught in a trap or net that you yourself have inadvertently or deliberately set through your verbal commitments. The imagery is that of a fowler's snare or a hunter's trap, implying an inescapable, self-imposed predicament. In the immediate context of [Proverbs 6:2](/proverbs/6-2 "Proverbs 6:2 - The Snare of Words"), it specifically refers to the binding and potentially ruinous consequences of a verbal agreement, such as guaranteeing a debt for another person (known as suretyship). Your spoken promise becomes a legal, moral, and often financial obligation from which it is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to extricate yourself without significant personal cost, effort, or even humiliation.

**Is this proverb only about financial commitments or suretyship?**

Answer: While the immediate literary context of [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6-1-5 "Proverbs 6:1-5 - Warning Against Suretyship") specifically focuses on the perils of financial suretyship, the underlying principle articulated in [Proverbs 6:2](/proverbs/6-2 "Proverbs 6:2 - The Snare of Words") extends far beyond this singular scenario. The proverb teaches a universal and timeless truth about the profound power and far-reaching consequences of all our words. It applies broadly to any promise, vow, oath, significant declaration, or even casual commitment we make. This includes, but is not limited to, commitments in personal relationships, business dealings, spiritual vows, and even seemingly minor promises. The core message is that our words are not empty or fleeting; they carry inherent weight and can create binding obligations or unintended consequences that "snare" us in various aspects of life, impacting our integrity, relationships, and well-being.

**How can one avoid being "snared" by their words, according to Proverbs?**

Answer: Proverbs 6:3-5 offers direct and urgent counsel on how to respond if one finds themselves already in such a snare: "Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself; For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler." This passage advises swift, humble, and diligent action to seek release from the binding commitment. More broadly, to proactively avoid being snared by one's words, the book of Proverbs consistently advocates for **wisdom, prudence, and deliberation** in speech. It repeatedly warns against haste, lying, foolish talk, and excessive words (e.g., [Proverbs 10:19](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19 - In the Multitude of Words, Sin Is Not Lacking"), [Proverbs 13:3](/proverbs/13-3 "Proverbs 13:3 - He Who Guards His Mouth Preserves His Life"), [Proverbs 21:23](/proverbs/21-23 "Proverbs 21:23 - He Who Guards His Mouth and Tongue")). The overarching wisdom is to think before speaking, to be slow to speak and quick to listen, and to ensure one's words are always truthful, intentional, and honor God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 6:2, with its stark warning about the self-inflicted snares of our words, finds its ultimate fulfillment, profound resolution, and redemptive answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While this proverb highlights humanity's pervasive propensity to bind itself through careless, deceitful, or ill-considered speech, Christ stands as the perfect embodiment of truthful, faithful, and redemptive speech. Unlike us, whose words can ensnare us in debt, sin, and broken promises, Jesus' every word was truth, life, and perfectly aligned with the righteous will of the Father. He is the [eternal Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), whose very utterance brought creation into being and whose teaching carries absolute divine authority, never leading to a snare but to ultimate freedom. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus takes upon Himself the full weight and consequences of all our failed words, broken promises, and sinful utterances, thereby freeing us from the ultimate snare of sin and death that our fallen speech often reflects. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's perfect obedience and sacrifice, empowers believers by the indwelling Holy Spirit to speak with integrity, truth, grace, and wisdom, transforming our mouths from instruments of potential entrapment into vessels that declare the [glorious good news](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - How Beautiful Are the Feet of Those Who Preach the Gospel of Peace") of God's kingdom and build up the body of Christ ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Let No Corrupting Talk Come Out of Your Mouths")). Thus, we are enabled to live out the wisdom of Proverbs not in our own strength, but through His perfect example and empowering Spirit, becoming those whose words bring life, not entanglement.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

Proverbs 12:13

¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.