Proverbs 5:2 — Word Study
WLCלִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְזִמּ֑וֹת וְ֝דַ֗עַת שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃
BSAthat you may maintainshâmar [observe, regard] discretionmᵉzimmâh [a wise purpose, plan] and your lipssâphâh [language, words] may preservenâtsar▸ [keep, watch over] ◂knowledgedaʻath [understanding, wisdom]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לִשְׁמֹ֥ר | to preserve | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| מְזִמּ֑וֹת | discretion | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| וְ֝דַ֗עַת | and knowledge | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ | lips your | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ | they will observe | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. |
| KJV | That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. |
| ASV | That thou mayest preserve discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge. |
| YLT | To observe thoughtfulness, And knowledge do thy lips keep. |
| WEB | that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. |
| BBE | So that you may be ruled by a wise purpose, and your lips may keep knowledge. |
Where they part company is מְזִמּ֑וֹת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with two subordinate phrases detailing what is maintained and preserved.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָצַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 5:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom and Discretion in Speechgenerated
Proverbs 5:2 teaches that maintaining discretion and preserving knowledge through our words is essential for wise living. This instruction is part of a father’s guidance to his son, emphasizing the value of wisdom in navigating life's choices, especially in contrast to the allure of temptation described in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:21 | The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment. |
| 2 | Proverbs 15:2–7 | The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. |
| 3 | Proverbs 16:23 | The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. |
| 4 | Proverbs 20:15 | There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. |
| 5 | Psalm 45:2 | You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁמַר, lish.Morgenerated
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations. In this verse, it emphasizes the act of preserving knowledge, suggesting a proactive approach to maintaining wisdom in speech.
The parsing as an infinitive construct indicates that it functions as a purpose: to keep or guard knowledge. This reflects the importance of being vigilant and intentional about the words we use, aligning with the broader theme of wisdom in Proverbs.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses preserve for שָׁמַר, which is also reflected in the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִנְצֹֽרוּ, they will observe, governs the sentence, with two noun phrases as its objects: מְזִמּ֑וֹת and דַ֗עַת, indicating what is to be preserved. The structure emphasizes the relationship between the act of guarding and the objects of that action.
The syntax places the emphasis on the importance of the lips, suggesting that the act of speaking is directly tied to the preservation of knowledge and discretion.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁמַר as φυλάχῃς, which means to guard or keep. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on protection, aligning with the Hebrew meaning of preserving knowledge.
The Greek word ἔννοιαν for מְזִמּ֑וֹת indicates a focus on intention or purpose, which complements the Hebrew understanding of discretion as a wise plan.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 5:2 teaches that we should maintain discretion and ensure our words preserve knowledge. This guidance is part of a father's advice to his son, emphasizing the importance of wise speech in making good decisions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Maintaining discretion involves making wise choices and being careful about how we think and speak, ensuring our actions align with good intentions.
By speaking thoughtfully and sharing wisdom, our words can help others understand important truths and maintain moral clarity.
The lips symbolize our speech and communication, highlighting the power of words to either build up or tear down, making it crucial to use them wisely.
This verse contrasts the wisdom of discretion with the seductive speech of temptation, urging the reader to choose wisely in their interactions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I practice discretion in my daily conversations?
- How can I ensure that my words reflect knowledge and understanding?
- What are some examples of wise plans I can implement in my life?
- How does this verse challenge me to think about the impact of my speech on others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, emphasizing the importance of guarding one's thoughts and expressing faith through words.
That you may guard your thoughts, etc. Thoughts, by which you rightly believe; lips, by which you profess the faith itself in simple words, and usual, as well as ecclesiastical ones.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 5 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 5:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat thou mayest regard discretion,.... Observe it; retain it in thine heart, as Aben Ezra adds, and use it; think, speak, and act discreetly, and so avoid the bad woman afterwards described: the
Read John Gill on Proverbs 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThat thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 5 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleRegard, or, keep, i.e. hold fast, as it is in the next clause. Discretion; spiritual wisdom for the conduct of thy life, as this word is used , and elsewhere in this book. That thy lips may keep knowledge; that by wise and pious discourses thou mayst preserve and improve thy wisdom for thine own and others’ good.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 5:2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and [that] thy lips may keep knowledge.Ver. 2. That thou mayest regard discretion.] Or, That thou mayest keep in thy thoughts, as Job did, "Why then should I think upon a maid?" "Out of the hearts of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications," &c., saith our Saviour. Many men’ s hearts are no better than stews and brothel houses, by reason of base and beastly thoughts and lusts that muster and swarm there, like the flies of Egypt. "There is that leviathan, and there are creeping things innumerable." Yea, the hypocrite, who outwardly abstains from gross sins, yet inwardly consenteth with the thief, and partaketh with the adulterer…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. regard] Rather, preserve, R.V. Comp. keep in the parallel clause of the verse.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 5 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd that thy lips may keep - literally, “and thy lips shall keep.”
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 5 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Discretion — Or, counsels. That thy lips may keep — Thy lips shall keep.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 5 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge.
that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge.
Tyndale line
That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
That thou mayest preserve discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge.
That thou mayest preserve discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
That thou maiest regarde counsell, and thy lippes obserue knowledge.
Strictly literal
that thou mayest keep reflection, and that thy lips may preserve knowledge.
To observe thoughtfulness, And knowledge do thy lips keep.
To observe thoughtfulness, || And your lips keep knowledge.
That thou mayest observe discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
so you may learn about discretion and your lips may protect knowledge.
From the Latin
That thou mayst keep thoughts, and thy lips may preserve instruction. Mind not the deceit of a woman.
Simplified
so you can make good decisions and protect knowledge with your lips.
So that you may be ruled by a wise purpose, and your lips may keep knowledge.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְזִמּ֑וֹת וְ֝דַ֗עַת שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃, while the Septuagint matches four of the five words. This consistency across witnesses highlights the preservation of the verse's core message about wisdom and speech.
לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְזִמּ֑וֹת וְ֝דַ֗עַת שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 5:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--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).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: 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
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
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)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
מְזִמָּה (mzimmah) refers to a plan or device, often with a connotation of evil intent. It can denote purpose, discretion, or plot, and may describe both wicked and wise schemes. The term is derived from a root meaning to plan and is used in contexts that highlight both malicious and clever intentions.
מְזִמָּה n.f. purpose, discretion, device
base
H4209 מְזִמָּה purpose, discretion, device
4209 mzimmah mez-im-maw'
from 2161; a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good
(sagacity):--(wicked) device, discretion, intent, witty
invention, lewdness, mischievous (device), thought, wickedly.
see HEBREW for 02161
מְזִמָּה (me.zim.mah) — plot.
1) purpose, discretion, device, plot
1a) purpose
1b) discretion
1c) devices (evil)
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
דַּ֫עַת (da`ath) means knowledge, encompassing perception, skill, and moral understanding. It is associated with prophetic knowledge and is noted for its divine aspect, particularly in the context of wisdom literature. The entries highlight its use in various forms of knowledge, including discernment and understanding.
דַּ֫עַת n.f. knowledge
knowledge, perception
= skill (in workmanship)
of proph. knowledge
esp. knowledge with moral quality
knowledge possessed by God
esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom
base
H1847 דַּ֫עַת knowledge . . knowledge, perception
. = skill (in workmanship)
. of proph. knowledge
. esp. knowledge with moral quality
. knowledge possessed by God
. esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom
1847 da`ath dah'-ath
from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge),
(un-)awares (wittingly).
see HEBREW for 03045
דַּ֫עַת (da.at) — knowledge.
1) knowledge
1a) knowledge, perception, skill
1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
8193 saphah saw-faw'
or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from
5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by
analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,
bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,
prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
see HEBREW for 05595
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 05490
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.
: lips/mouth
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.
: words/language
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.
: edge/border/opening
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.
: shore/bank(of_sea/river)
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp2ms
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
ob-zurv' (representing various words, but chiefly shamar, "to keep," "to watch" etc.): Properly means "to take heed to," as in Isa 42:20, "Thou seest many things, but thou observest not" and from this sense all the usages of the word in English Versions of the Bible can be understood. Most of them, indeed are quite good modern usage (as "observe a feast," Ex 12:17, etc.; "observe a law" Le 19:37, etc.), but a few are archaic. So Ge 37:11, the King James Version "His father observed the saying" (the Revised Version (British and American) "kept the saying in mind"); Ho 13:7, "As a leopard .... will I observe them" (the…