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Proverbs 6:21

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Bind them continually upon thine heart, [and] tie them about thy neck.

Bind {H7194} them continually {H8548} upon thine heart {H3820}, and tie {H6029} them about thy neck {H1621}.

Bind them always on your heart, tie them around your neck.

Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.

Bind them continually upon thy heart; Tie them about thy neck.

Commentary

Proverbs 6:21 serves as a powerful call to internalize and perpetually remember the wisdom and instruction received, particularly from parents, as introduced in the preceding verse.

Context

This verse continues the father's admonition to his son, building on the appeal in Proverbs 6:20 to keep the "words of thy father" and forsake not "the law of thy mother." The "them" in verse 21 directly refers to these parental teachings and divine commandments. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, binding objects to the heart or neck was a symbolic act, signifying deep affection, high value, and constant presence, much like wearing a precious necklace or an amulet. It was a visible reminder and a declaration of allegiance.

Key Themes

  • Internalization of Wisdom: The command to "bind them continually upon thine heart" emphasizes that wisdom and instruction should not merely be intellectual concepts but deeply embedded within one's inner being. The heart in biblical thought is the seat of intellect, emotion, and will, the very core of a person's moral and spiritual life.
  • Constant Remembrance and Visibility: "Tie them about thy neck" suggests a visible, ever-present reminder. This act ensures that the teachings are not forgotten in daily life and serve as a constant guide. It also implies a public commitment to these principles, much like a badge of honor or identity. This imagery echoes the Mosaic instruction in the Law, where God commanded His people to bind His words as a sign on their hands and as frontlets between their eyes, ensuring continuous mindfulness.
  • Guidance for Daily Living: The ultimate purpose of this internalization is to provide unwavering guidance. These instructions are meant to protect the individual from moral pitfalls and lead them on the path of righteousness, as further elaborated in the verses that follow (Proverbs 6:22-24).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "heart," leb (לֵב), is far more comprehensive than the English "heart." It encompasses not just emotions but also the mind, will, and conscience. To "bind upon the heart" means to integrate these teachings into one's fundamental thought processes and decision-making. The phrase "tie them about thy neck" uses imagery associated with valuable ornaments, suggesting that these instructions are to be cherished and worn as a mark of identity and honor, rather than a burden.

Practical Application

Proverbs 6:21 encourages believers today to actively engage with God's Word and godly counsel. This means more than just reading; it involves meditation, memorization, and conscious application. Just as one might wear a precious necklace, we are called to value divine instruction so highly that it shapes our thoughts, influences our actions, and guides our every step. This commitment to internalizing wisdom leads to a life of integrity, protection from temptation, and spiritual growth. Consider how Psalm 119:11 speaks of hiding God's word in the heart to avoid sin.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 3:3 (5 votes)

    Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

  • Proverbs 7:3 (3 votes)

    Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

  • Proverbs 7:4 (3 votes)

    Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:

  • Deuteronomy 6:8 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

  • Exodus 13:16 (2 votes)

    And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

  • Proverbs 4:6 (2 votes)

    Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:3 (2 votes)

    [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.