Proverbs 4:5
Proverbs 4:5 in Multiple Translations
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
Get wisdom, get true knowledge; keep it in memory, do not be turned away from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.
Get wisedom: get vnderstading: forget not, neither decline from the woordes of my mouth.
Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Obtain wisdom and understanding, and ◄do not abandon/hold fast to► [LIT] what I have taught you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 4:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 4:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קְנֵ֣ה
חָ֭כְמָה
קְנֵ֣ה
בִינָ֑ה
אַל
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח
וְ/אַל
תֵּ֝֗ט
מֵֽ/אִמְרֵי
פִֽ/י
קְנֵ֣ה
qânâh
H7069
to buy
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
חָ֭כְמָה
chokmâh
H2451
wisdom
N-fs
קְנֵ֣ה
qânâh
H7069
to buy
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
בִינָ֑ה
bîynâh
H998
understanding
N-fs
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח
shâkach
H7911
to forget
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
וְ/אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Conj | Part
תֵּ֝֗ט
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
מֵֽ/אִמְרֵי
ʼêmer
H561
word
Prep | N-mp
פִֽ/י
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 4:5
קְנֵ֣ה
qânâh
H7069
"to buy"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means to buy or acquire something, and is used to describe God's redemption of His people. It emphasizes ownership and possession, as seen in the stories of God's creation and redemption.
Definition: 1) to get, acquire, create, buy, possess 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to get, acquire, obtain 1a1a) of God originating, creating, redeeming His people 1a1a1) possessor 1a1b) of Eve acquiring 1a1c) of acquiring knowledge, wisdom 1a2) to buy 1b) (Niphal) to be bought 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to possess Aramaic equivalent: qe.na (קְנָא "to buy" H7066)
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, [idiom] surely, [idiom] verily. See also: Genesis 4:1; 2 Chronicles 34:11; Psalms 74:2.
חָ֭כְמָה
chokmâh
H2451
"wisdom"
N-fs
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. See also: Exodus 28:3; Proverbs 5:1; Psalms 37:30.
קְנֵ֣ה
qânâh
H7069
"to buy"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means to buy or acquire something, and is used to describe God's redemption of His people. It emphasizes ownership and possession, as seen in the stories of God's creation and redemption.
Definition: 1) to get, acquire, create, buy, possess 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to get, acquire, obtain 1a1a) of God originating, creating, redeeming His people 1a1a1) possessor 1a1b) of Eve acquiring 1a1c) of acquiring knowledge, wisdom 1a2) to buy 1b) (Niphal) to be bought 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to possess Aramaic equivalent: qe.na (קְנָא "to buy" H7066)
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, [idiom] surely, [idiom] verily. See also: Genesis 4:1; 2 Chronicles 34:11; Psalms 74:2.
בִינָ֑ה
bîynâh
H998
"understanding"
N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means understanding or discernment, like having wisdom or knowledge. It appears in books like Proverbs and Psalms, guiding people to make good decisions.
Definition: 1) understanding, discernment 1a) act 1b) faculty 1c) object 1d) personified Aramaic equivalent: bi.nah (בִּינָה "understanding" H0999)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: knowledge, meaning, [idiom] perfectly, understanding, wisdom. See also: Deuteronomy 4:6; Proverbs 4:7; Proverbs 1:2.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
וְ/אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Conj | Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תֵּ֝֗ט
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
מֵֽ/אִמְרֵי
ʼêmer
H561
"word"
Prep | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a word or speech, like a promise or command from God. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's conversations with people.
Definition: utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: answer, [idiom] appointed unto him, saying, speech, word. See also: Genesis 49:21; Psalms 141:6; Psalms 5:2.
פִֽ/י
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
Study Notes — Proverbs 4:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 4:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
- Sermons on Proverbs 4:5
Context — A Father’s Instruction
3When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,
4he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. 7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 1:5 | Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. |
| 2 | Proverbs 3:13–18 | Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed. |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:22–23 | “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 34:2 | And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left. |
| 5 | Psalms 44:18 | Our hearts have not turned back; our steps have not strayed from Your path. |
| 6 | Proverbs 17:16 | Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? |
| 7 | Proverbs 8:5 | O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. |
| 8 | Job 23:11 | My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside. |
| 9 | Proverbs 16:16 | How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. |
| 10 | Psalms 119:51 | The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law. |
Proverbs 4:5 Summary
This verse is telling us to make getting wisdom and understanding a top priority in our lives. It's like the Bible is saying, 'Make sure you get wisdom, and don't forget what God has told you!' This means we should be careful to remember and follow God's words, as seen in Proverbs 4:4, which says to keep God's commands and live. By doing so, we can trust that God will give us the wisdom and understanding we need to navigate life's challenges, as promised in James 1:5, where it says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and also as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'get wisdom' in Proverbs 4:5?
Getting wisdom means to actively seek and acquire wisdom, as advised in Proverbs 4:5, much like the pursuit of wisdom described in Proverbs 2:1-6, which emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom from the Lord, as seen in Proverbs 2:6, where it says that the Lord gives wisdom.
Why is it important not to forget or turn from God's words?
Forgetting or turning from God's words can lead to spiritual stagnation and disobedience, as warned in Proverbs 4:5, whereas remembering and following God's words brings life, as promised in Proverbs 4:4, which says to keep God's commands and live, and as also seen in Deuteronomy 8:3, where it is written that man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
How can I apply the command to 'get understanding' in my daily life?
Applying the command to get understanding involves being diligent in seeking knowledge and discernment, as seen in Proverbs 4:7, which emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom and understanding, and also as encouraged in Psalm 119:104, where it says that God's precepts give understanding to the mind.
What role does obedience play in getting wisdom and understanding?
Obedience is a crucial aspect of getting wisdom and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 4:5, where it says not to forget or turn from God's words, and also as emphasized in Proverbs 28:9, which says that if someone turns their ear from hearing the law, even their prayer is detestable, highlighting the importance of obedience in our relationship with God, as also seen in 1 Samuel 15:22-23, where disobedience is compared to the sin of divination.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can actively seek wisdom and understanding in my life, and how can I make this a daily habit?
- How can I ensure that I do not forget or turn from God's words, and what practices can I implement to help me remember them?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to apply the wisdom and understanding that God provides, and how can I trust Him to guide me in these areas?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love for wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:6, and how can I prioritize my relationship with God in order to gain wisdom and understanding?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom, get understanding,.... Not only moral and political wisdom and understanding, but that which is spiritual and evangelical; Christ, and the knowledge of him; he being the only happy man
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom, get understanding.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
From the belief and practice of my word.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.Ver. 5. Get wisdom, get understanding.] Compara sapientiam, compara intelligentiam - so Chrysostom. Comparate saeculares, comparate vobis biblia, animae pharmaca. Get you Bibles by all means, whatever they cost you. You may better want bread, light, &c., than the knowledge of the Scriptures. Augustine makes mention of some that neglected the means of knowledge, because knowledge puffeth up; and so would be ignorant, that they might be humble, and want knowledge, that they might want pride. This was to do as that foolish philosopher that plucked out his eyes to avoid the danger of uncleanness; or as the silly friar, to whom Sir Thomas Moore wrote thus, - “ Tu bene cavisti ne te ulla occidere possit Litera: Nam nota est litera nulla tibi. ” But men must get knowledge, and lest it puff them up, swelling them beyond measure, they must get humility laid on as a weight to keep them down. Forget it not.] For so much a man learns as he remembers. The promise also of salvation is limited to the condition of "keeping in memory what we have received."
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
(5) Get wisdom, get understanding.—Like the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
Verse 5. Get wisdom] True religion is essential to thy happiness; never forget its teachings, nor go aside from the path it prescribes.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:5
Seventh Address. Chap. Proverbs 4:1-9 Resuming, after the parenthesis (Proverbs 3:27-35) the style and tone of fatherly address of the preceding sections, the Teacher commends Wisdom to his scholars as his children, by the example of his own early education. Mr Horton happily remarks, “This chapter begins with a charming little piece of autobiography,” and quotes Wordsworth’s words, “Wisdom doth live with children round her knees.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:5
VARIOUS , Proverbs 4:5-27. 5. Get wisdom — Or, buy wisdom. The repetition of the verb makes it more vehement. It is thought to be the imitation of a merchant offering his wares. Decline — Turn away from.
Sermons on Proverbs 4:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Spiritual Fathers and Sons by Albert Zehr | Albert Zehr preaches about the importance of bridging the generational gap within families and the church to experience God's blessings. He emphasizes the cry for spiritual fathers |
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Aaron's Failure by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of his daughter giving a testimony before leaving for Nepal. She attributes her faith and presence at the meeting to her pa |
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Deeper Waters - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound depth of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the themes of sanctification and the nature of Jesus as both divine and human. He ar |
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Trusting God Again Like a Child by Francis Chan | Francis Chan emphasizes the importance of trusting God with childlike faith, urging leaders to genuinely love their congregations and seek God's presence in their ministry. He refl |
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Prayer as a Way of Walking in Love - a Personal Journey by Francis Chan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the presence of God, seeking His beauty, and abiding in Him as the ultimate source of strength and peace. It highlights the nee |
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Book of James by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying faithful to God and not being enticed away by worldly distractions. He highlights the book of James as a powerful c |
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The Danger of Pharisaism by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Luke chapter twelve, verse forty-five, which talks about a slave who becomes abusive towards other slaves because he believes his master wil |