The Meaning of Proverbs 4:21 Explained

Proverbs 4:21

KJV: Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

YLT: Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart.

Darby: Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.

ASV: Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let them not depart  from thine eyes;  keep  them in the midst  of thine heart. 

What does Proverbs 4:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 4:10-27 - Guide-Posts On The Way Of Life
One or two sentences stand out in this section, demanding special attention. The path of the just, etc., Proverbs 4:18. We may compare this beautiful similitude with 2 Samuel 23:4. In the East, where the heavens are for the most part free of cloud, the steadily increasing light of any day to perfect noontide glory is the ordinary experience. Let us so live that the path of our life may become ever more radiant and beneficent in its heat and light.
Keep thy heart, etc., Proverbs 4:23. "Above all keeping," margin. The gates of the heart need careful scrutiny. When we are careless, thoughts creep in with malign intent. We should imitate the good Nehemiah 13:19. Ask that pure and holy angels may stand sentry as at the gates of pearl, Revelation 21:12. If you think right, you will live right.
Ponder the path, etc., Proverbs 4:26. "Weigh carefully." Act in haste and repent at leisure! Ask God to keep you back from presumptuous sins; and bear in mind the wise exhortation of Ecclesiastes 5:2. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 4

1  persuades to wisdom
14  and to show wickedness
20  He exhorts to sanctification

What do the individual words in Proverbs 4:21 mean?

Not do let them depart from your eyes Keep them in the midst of your heart
אַל־ יַלִּ֥יזוּ מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ שָׁ֝מְרֵ֗ם בְּת֣וֹךְ לְבָבֶֽךָ

יַלִּ֥יזוּ  do  let  them  depart 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: לוּז  
Sense: to depart, turn aside.
מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָ  from  your  eyes 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, cdc, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
שָׁ֝מְרֵ֗ם  Keep  them 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
בְּת֣וֹךְ  in  the  midst 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: תָּוֶךְ  
Sense: midst, middle.
לְבָבֶֽךָ  of  your  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לֵבָב  
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.

What are the major concepts related to Proverbs 4:21?

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