The Meaning of Proverbs 2:11 Explained

Proverbs 2:11

KJV: Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

YLT: Thoughtfulness doth watch over thee, Understanding doth keep thee,

Darby: discretion shall keep thee, understanding shall preserve thee:

ASV: Discretion shall watch over thee; Understanding shall keep thee:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Discretion  shall preserve  thee, understanding  shall keep  thee: 

What does Proverbs 2:11 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 2:1-22 - Wisdom Guards From Evil
Several words are reiterated in this chapter, which will unlock its treasures. Understanding, Proverbs 2:2-3; Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 2:9; Proverbs 2:11. If wisdom is a moral quality, leading to intuitive knowledge, understanding may be taken to include something of a prophetic strain. Understanding gathers up and makes use of the results of observation and experience, whether of oneself or of others.
Notice also the word walk, Proverbs 2:7; Proverbs 2:13; way, Proverbs 2:8; Proverbs 2:12-13; Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 2:20; paths, Proverbs 2:8; Proverbs 2:13; Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 2:18-20. See how eager the Divine Teacher is (l) to deliver the unwary from the way of the evil man, Proverbs 2:12, and from the way of the evil woman, Proverbs 2:16; and (2) to direct the feet of the young into the ways of the good and into the paths of the righteous, Proverbs 2:20. The path of safety and permanence is that in which we are perpetually conscious of the presence of the Master, Christ. He is the unseen companion of the soul in its difficult and perilous pilgrimage; and we may, in that companionship, appropriate the buckler of Proverbs 2:7, the integrity of Proverbs 2:8, and the stability of Proverbs 2:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 2

1  wisdom promises godliness to her children
10  and safety from evil company
20  and direction in good ways

What do the individual words in Proverbs 2:11 mean?

Discretion will preserve you Understanding will keep you
מְ֭זִמָּה תִּשְׁמֹ֥ר עָלֶ֗יךָ תְּבוּנָ֥ה תִנְצְרֶֽכָּה

מְ֭זִמָּה  Discretion 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְזִמָּה  
Sense: purpose, discretion, device, plot.
תִּשְׁמֹ֥ר  will  preserve 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
תְּבוּנָ֥ה  Understanding 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: תְּבוּנָה 
Sense: understanding, intelligence.
תִנְצְרֶֽכָּה  will  keep  you 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular, second person masculine singular
Root: נְצוּרִים 
Sense: to guard, watch, watch over, keep.