The Meaning of Proverbs 15:3 Explained

Proverbs 15:3

KJV: The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

YLT: In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.

Darby: The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

ASV: The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The eyes  of the LORD  [are] in every place,  beholding  the evil  and the good. 

What does Proverbs 15:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 15:1-17 - Kind Words And Glad Hearts
A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright-these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God's Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3, r.v.
Notice, also, the inducements to a right and holy life! Treasure in the house; answered prayer; the love of God; a cheerful heart; a contented mind-such are some of the by-products and experiences of those whose life is "hid with Christ in God." When we put first things in the first place, all else is added.
What a comfort it is that God searcheth our hearts and knoweth them altogether! Yes, and even when He chastens and corrects us, it is well. There is no bliss comparable to that of the forgiven sinner, who is called into "the secret place of the Most High." [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath

What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:3 mean?

[are] in every place the eyes of Yahweh Keeping watch on the evil and the good
בְּֽכָל־ מָ֭קוֹם עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה צֹ֝פ֗וֹת רָעִ֥ים וטוֹבִֽים‪‬

בְּֽכָל־  [are]  in  every 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
מָ֭קוֹם  place 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
עֵינֵ֣י  the  eyes 
Parse: Noun, cdc
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
יְהוָ֑ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
צֹ֝פ֗וֹת  Keeping  watch  on 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, feminine plural
Root: צָפָה  
Sense: to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch.
רָעִ֥ים  the  evil 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
וטוֹבִֽים‪‬  and  the  good 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.