The Meaning of Proverbs 3:7 Explained

Proverbs 3:7

KJV: Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

YLT: Be not wise in thine own eyes, Fear Jehovah, and turn aside from evil.

Darby: Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

ASV: Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Be not wise  in thine own eyes:  fear  the LORD,  and depart  from evil. 

What does Proverbs 3:7 Mean?

Study Notes

fear
Also; Proverbs 2:5
fear of the Lord
The "fear of the Lord," a phrase of the O.T. piety, meaning reverential trust, with hatred of evil.

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:1-12 - The Results Of Trusting Jehovah
How replete with helpful instruction on the policy of life is this paragraph! The young of both sexes are invited to be merciful in their judgments or dealings, and faithful in the discharge of their responsibilities or duties. These are two prime qualifications for a right attitude toward God and man.
The perplexed are bidden to distrust their own understanding and to trust in God for guidance. If you do not see your way, wait till God reveals it. Notice the repeated word all-all thine heart, all thy ways. A thread reaching from our person to the ground may impair our perfect insularity. The business man is urged to honor God, as Abraham did, when returning laden with booty from his conflict with the freebooting kings, Genesis 14:23. The suffering are urged to look beyond their pain and sorrow to the hand that chastens, Proverbs 3:11-12. These precious words are endorsed by later Scriptures. See Hebrews 12:5-6 and Revelation 3:19. We can never forget the tender assurance of Job 5:18-19. There is no chance in life; accept all as by God's appointment or permission. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 3

1  various exhortations
13  The gain of wisdom
27  Exhortation to goodness
33  the different state of the wicked and upright

What do the individual words in Proverbs 3:7 mean?

Not do be wise in your own eyes fear - Yahweh and depart from evil
אַל־ תְּהִ֣י חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ יְרָ֥א אֶת־ יְ֝הוָ֗ה וְס֣וּר מֵרָֽע

תְּהִ֣י  do  be 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
חָכָ֣ם  wise 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: חָכָם  
Sense: wise, wise (man).
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ  in  your  own  eyes 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, cdc, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
יְרָ֥א  fear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: יָרֵא 
Sense: to fear, revere, be afraid.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: Jehovah—used primarily in the combination ‘Lord Jehovah’.
וְס֣וּר  and  depart 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: סוּר 
Sense: to turn aside, depart.
מֵרָֽע  from  evil 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.