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 issues a stark warning against the self-inflicted consequences of one's own speech, particularly in the context of making commitments or acting as surety for another. The verse employs vivid imagery of being caught in a trap, emphasizing that the entanglement is not externally imposed but arises directly from the words spoken, highlighting the profound and binding power of human utterance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a larger admonition found in [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6 "Proverbs 6 - Warnings Against Surety and Laziness"). The wisdom writer, traditionally Solomon, begins by warning against the perilous act of becoming surety for a neighbor or stranger, which meant guaranteeing another person's debt or obligation. The "words of thy mouth" in verse 2 specifically refer to the verbal agreement or promise made in such a transaction, which, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, carried significant legal and social weight. The subsequent verses (Proverbs 6:3-5) advise immediate, decisive action to humble oneself and seek release from such a binding promise before its potentially ruinous consequences materialize, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the situation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, verbal agreements and oaths were considered extremely binding, often as weighty as written contracts. Society operated on a high degree of trust, and a person's "word" was their bond. Becoming surety (or a guarantor) for another's debt was a common, though highly risky, practice. If the primary debtor defaulted, the surety was legally and morally obligated to cover the debt, potentially leading to personal financial ruin, enslavement, or the loss of land. This cultural context 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 powerful instrument that could create inescapable obligations and dire consequences for the speaker.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **Power of Speech**, highlighting that words are not ephemeral but possess tangible power to bind, create, and destroy. This idea resonates throughout wisdom literature, as seen in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue"), which declares that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." Closely related is the theme of **Hasty Commitments**, warning against impulsive promises, especially those with significant financial or relational implications. The proverb teaches that such ill-considered utterances can lead to entrapment. Finally, the verse underscores **Personal Responsibility**, placing the onus squarely 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.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **snared (Hebrew, _yâqôsh'_):** This word (H3369) is a primitive root meaning "to ensnare," often used in the context of a fowler laying a trap for birds or animals. It conveys the idea of being caught unexpectedly and inescapably in a cunningly laid device. In this verse, the trap is metaphorical, constructed by one's own words, implying a self-imposed predicament from which escape is difficult.
* **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 reinforces the imagery of being seized and held fast, like prey caught by a hunter. Its use alongside "snared" intensifies the sense of being utterly trapped and unable to extricate oneself, emphasizing the binding and inescapable nature of the verbal commitment.
* **words (Hebrew, _ʼêmer'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to say," this word (H561) refers to "something said," a "saying," "speech," or "word." It highlights the specific medium through which the snare is laid: not by physical action or external force, but by the very utterances of one's mouth. This emphasizes the intrinsic power and consequence embedded in spoken language.

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

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

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 6:2 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of human speech, affirming that words are not inert but carry spiritual and material weight, reflecting the very character of God who spoke the world into existence. This proverb underscores the biblical emphasis on integrity, truthfulness, and the sanctity of oaths and promises, echoing the divine attribute of covenant faithfulness. It reminds us that our words, like God's, have creative and binding power, and we are held accountable for their consequences, both before God and humanity. This principle extends beyond financial surety to all forms of verbal commitments, highlighting the moral imperative to speak with wisdom, deliberation, and truth.

* [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 wisdom that transcends its original context of financial surety, speaking powerfully to the modern believer about the immense power and responsibility inherent in our words. In an age of instant communication, social media, and digital contracts, the warning against hasty or ill-considered speech is more relevant than ever. This proverb calls us to cultivate a posture of careful deliberation before speaking, especially when making promises, entering agreements, or offering opinions that carry weight. It challenges us to consider the long-term implications of our verbal commitments, whether in personal relationships, professional dealings, or even casual conversations. Living out this proverb means fostering integrity in all our communication, ensuring that our "yes" truly means yes and our "no" means no, thereby building trust and avoiding self-inflicted snares. It encourages us to be stewards of our words, recognizing their capacity to build up or tear down, to bind or to free.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most prone to making hasty verbal commitments?**
* **How can I practice greater mindfulness and deliberation before speaking, especially when making promises or agreements?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my words consistently reflect integrity and truthfulness?**
* **How does my use of language in digital spaces (e.g., social media, email) align with the wisdom 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 set through your verbal commitments. The imagery is that of a hunter's snare or a fowler's trap, implying an inescapable predicament. In the context of [Proverbs 6:2](/proverbs/6-2 "Proverbs 6:2 - The Snare of Words"), it specifically refers to the binding consequences of a verbal agreement, such as guaranteeing a debt for another person (suretyship). Your spoken promise becomes a legal and moral obligation from which it is difficult, if not impossible, to extricate yourself without significant cost or effort.

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

Answer: While the immediate literary context of [Proverbs 6:1-5](/proverbs/6 "Proverbs 6 - Warnings Against Surety and Laziness") focuses on financial suretyship, the underlying principle of [Proverbs 6:2](/proverbs/6-2 "Proverbs 6:2 - The Snare of Words") extends far beyond this specific scenario. The proverb teaches a universal truth about the power and consequences of all our words. It applies to any promise, vow, oath, or significant declaration we make. This includes commitments in relationships, business dealings, spiritual vows, and even casual promises. The core message is that our words are not empty; they carry weight and can create binding obligations or unintended consequences that "snare" us in various aspects of life.

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

Answer: Proverbs 6:3-5 offers direct counsel on how to respond if one finds themselves 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 avoid being snared, the book of Proverbs consistently advocates for **wisdom, prudence, and deliberation** in speech, warning against haste, lying, and foolish talk (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")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 6:2, with its stark warning about the self-inflicted snares of our words, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While the proverb highlights humanity's propensity to bind itself through careless speech, Christ stands as the embodiment of perfect, truthful, and redemptive speech. Unlike us, whose words can ensnare us in debt, sin, and broken promises, Jesus' every word was truth and life, perfectly aligning with the will of the Father. He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), whose very utterance brought creation into being and whose teaching carries divine authority, never leading to a snare but to freedom. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes upon Himself the consequences of all our failed words and broken promises, freeing us from the ultimate snare of sin and death that our fallen speech often reflects. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, empowers believers by the Holy Spirit to speak with integrity, truth, and grace, transforming our mouths from instruments of potential entrapment into vessels that declare the [good news](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - How Beautiful Are the Feet of Those Who Preach the Gospel of Peace") and build up the body of Christ, enabling us to live out the wisdom of Proverbs not in our own strength, but through His perfect example and empowering Spirit.

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.