Proverbs 7:2
Proverbs 7:2 in Multiple Translations
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Keep my commandments and live; And my law as the apple of thine eye.
Keep my rules and you will have life; let my teaching be to you as the light of your eyes;
Do what I tell you and you will live. Observe my teachings, valuing them as your main focus in life.
Keepe my commandements, and thou shalt liue, and mine instruction as the apple of thine eyes.
Keep my commands, and live, And my law as the pupil of thine eye.
Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thy eye.
Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law as the apple of thy eye:
Obey my commands, and as a result you will live a good life. Consider the things that I teach you to be very precious; guard them, just like you protect your eyes.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 7:2
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 7:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׁמֹ֣ר
מִצְוֺתַ֣/י
וֶ/חְיֵ֑ה
וְ֝/תוֹרָתִ֗/י
כְּ/אִישׁ֥וֹן
עֵינֶֽי/ךָ
שְׁמֹ֣ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
מִצְוֺתַ֣/י
mitsvâh
H4687
commandment
N-fp | Suff
וֶ/חְיֵ֑ה
châyâh
H2421
to live
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
וְ֝/תוֹרָתִ֗/י
tôwrâh
H8451
instruction
Conj | N-fs | Suff
כְּ/אִישׁ֥וֹן
ʼîyshôwn
H380
pupil
Prep | N-ms
עֵינֶֽי/ךָ
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 7:2
שְׁמֹ֣ר
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
מִצְוֺתַ֣/י
mitsvâh
H4687
"commandment"
N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Definition: 1) commandment 1a) commandment (of man) 1b) the commandment (of God) 1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
Usage: Occurs in 177 OT verses. KJV: (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. See also: Genesis 26:5; 1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalms 19:9.
וֶ/חְיֵ֑ה
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
וְ֝/תוֹרָתִ֗/י
tôwrâh
H8451
"instruction"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.
Definition: 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: law. See also: Genesis 26:5; Nehemiah 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
כְּ/אִישׁ֥וֹן
ʼîyshôwn
H380
"pupil"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for the pupil of the eye, also meaning the middle of the night, is used in the Bible to describe something cherished, like the apple of God's eye in Deuteronomy 32:10.
Definition: 1) pupil of the eye 2) middle of the night (that is the deepest blackness)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), black, obscure. See also: Deuteronomy 32:10; Proverbs 7:2; Psalms 17:8.
עֵינֶֽי/ךָ
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
Study Notes — Proverbs 7:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 7:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 7:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 7:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 7:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
- Sermons on Proverbs 7:2
Context — Warnings about the Adulteress
1My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
2Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 17:8 | Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings |
| 2 | Proverbs 4:4 | he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. |
| 3 | Leviticus 18:5 | Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD. |
| 4 | 1 John 2:3–4 | By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. |
| 5 | John 14:21 | Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” |
| 6 | 1 John 5:1–3 | Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, |
| 7 | Isaiah 55:3 | Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant— My loving devotion promised to David. |
| 8 | Proverbs 4:13 | Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life. |
| 9 | John 15:14 | You are My friends if you do what I command you. |
| 10 | John 12:49–50 | I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” |
Proverbs 7:2 Summary
[This verse is saying that if we want to truly live, we need to obey God's commandments and protect His teachings like they are the most precious things in our lives. This means being careful about what we think, say, and do, and making sure it aligns with what God says in His Word (Psalm 119:9-11). By doing this, we can experience a deep and meaningful relationship with God, and enjoy the abundant life He promises (John 10:10).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'keep my commandments' in Proverbs 7:2?
To keep God's commandments means to obey and follow His teachings, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:1-22, where God gives the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. By keeping His commandments, we demonstrate our love and commitment to Him, as Jesus says in John 14:15.
Why are God's teachings compared to 'the apple of your eye'?
The 'apple of your eye' is a phrase used to describe something precious and cherished, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:10, where God describes His care for the Israelites. In Proverbs 7:2, it means we should guard and protect God's teachings with the same care and attention we give to our own eyes.
How can I 'guard' God's teachings in my daily life?
Guarding God's teachings involves being mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions, and seeking to align them with Scripture, as encouraged in Philippians 4:8-9. This can be done by regularly reading and meditating on God's Word, as well as seeking accountability and support from other believers.
What is the promise associated with keeping God's commandments in this verse?
The promise is that we will 'live', which means experiencing abundant life, both now and eternally, as seen in John 10:10 and Romans 8:1-2. By keeping God's commandments, we can enjoy a deep and meaningful relationship with Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some specific commandments or teachings from God's Word that I need to focus on obeying in my life right now?
- How can I prioritize guarding God's teachings in my daily routine, and what strategies can I use to stay focused on Him?
- In what ways have I seen the promise of 'life' fulfilled in my own experience when I have kept God's commandments, and how can I share this with others?
- What are some potential challenges or distractions that might cause me to neglect guarding God's teachings, and how can I overcome them?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 7:2
Keep my commandments and live,.... Not the commandments of the law only, but the commandments of Christ; and even the doctrines of Christ are so called, as faith in him, and love to the saints, 1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 7:2
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Keep my commandments, and live - and so thou shalt live (Proverbs 4:4).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
And live, i.e. thou shalt live. A promise in the form of a command, as . As the apple of thine eye; with all possible care and diligence, as men guard that part from all dangers, yea, even from the least mote. The eye is a most noble and necessary, and therefore highly esteemed and beloved, part of the body, and the apple thereof is the most honourable, and beautiful, and useful part of that part, and it is a most tender part, easily hurt, or destroyed, and therefore needs to be diligently watched.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.Ver. 2. Keep my commandments, and live.] "Live," i.e., live happily. I am the Lord that teacheth thee to profit, therefore keep my commandments; as if God should say, It is for thy profit that I command thee, and not for mine own. "In doing thereof there is great reward," saith David, and present reward, saith Solomon here, Do it and live. In the court of earthly princes there is αναβοληκαιμεταβολη delays and changes. Men are off and on in their promises; they are also slow and slack in their performances. But it is otherwise here: the very "entrance of thy word giveth light," and the very onset of obedience giveth life. It is but "Hear, and your soul shall live," "Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me." And my law as the apple of thine eye.] With all chariness and circumspection. The least mote offends the eye, and the least deviation violates the law. Sin is homogeneous, all of a kind, though not all of the same degree; as the least pebble is a stone, as well as the largest rock, and as the drop of a bucket is water, as well as the main ocean.
Hence the least sins are in Scripture reproached by the names of the greatest. Malice is called man slaughter, lust adultery, &c.; concupiscence is condemned by the law, even the first motions of sin, though they never come to consent. Inward bleeding may kill a man. De minutis non curat lex, saith the civilian; but the law of God is spiritual, though we be carnal. And as the sunshine shows us atoms and motes, that till then we discerned not, so doth the law discover and censure smallest failings. It must therefore be kept curiously, even "as the apple of the eye," as that little man in the eye, that cannot be touched but he will be distempered. Careful we must be even in the minutula legis, the punctilios of duty. Men will not lightly lose the least ends of gold. ΰιשׁεο ab ΰιשׁ Neque enim auri tantum massas tollunt, sed et bracteolas.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
Verse 2. As the apple of thine eye.] As the pupil of the eye, which is of such essential necessity to sight, and so easily injured.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 7:2
2. the apple] i.e. the pupil: “an emblem of that which is tenderest and dearest, and therefore guarded with the most jealous care,” Psalms 17:8, note in this Series. Comp. Deuteronomy 32:10; Zechariah 2:8.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 7:2
2. Apple of thine eye — ΰιωׁ ?εοςιπικְ, (ishon enecha,) the little man of the eye, referring to the reflected image in the eye.
Sermons on Proverbs 7:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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If You Could Live Again, What Would You Change? by Bob Jennings | This sermon reflects on the importance of living a life fully devoted to God, not just doing what is right but doing it with all our hearts. It explores the idea of looking back on |
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Finished With the World by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker expresses frustration and disappointment with the length and content of previous speakers at a gathering. He questions the prioritization of entertainme |
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The Church and Israel by David Pawson | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the decline of the British empire and the nostalgia associated with it. He emphasizes the importance of looking towards the future rather th |
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(Exodus) Exodus 26:1-14 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the different coverings of the tabernacle in the Bible. The first covering, made of fine twine and linen, represents the b |
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Under His Wings by Jenny Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher shares stories and illustrations to emphasize the importance of accepting God's invitation for protection and salvation. He describes a scene where a c |
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Houston Colonial Hills Conference 1995-06 7 Aspect of Glory of Christ by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude to all those involved in the conference. He then introduces the topic of the glories of Christ and reads a verse from Joh |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 51 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful testimony of a revival that took place in a town. Despite the initial lack of attendance at the planned evangelistic outreach, God mov |