1 My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- my words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- and lay up H6845 (צָפַן) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
- my commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
2 Keep my commandments and live; And my law as the apple of thine eye.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- my commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
- and live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
- and my law H8451 (תּוֹרָה) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
- as the apple H380 (אִישׁוֹן) — the little man of the eye; the pupil or ball; hence, the middle (of night)
- of thine eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
3 Bind them upon thy fingers; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Bind H7194 (קָשַׁר) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)
- them upon thy fingers H676 (אֶצְבַּע) — something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe
- write H3789 (כָּתַב) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
- them upon the table H3871 (לוּחַ) — probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
- of thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding thy kinswoman:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- my sister H269 (אָחוֹת) — a sister (used very widely [like 251number 250, corrected to 251], literally and figuratively)
- and call H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
- understanding H998 (בִּינָה) — understanding
- kinswoman H4129 (מוֹדַע) — an acquaintance
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, From the foreigner that flattereth with her words.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That they may keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- thee from the strange H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
- woman H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
- from the stranger H5237 (נׇכְרִי) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
- flattereth H2505 (חָלַק) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
- with her words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
6 For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For at the window H2474 (חַלּוֹן) — a window (as perforated)
- of my house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- I looked H8259 (שָׁקַף) — properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)
- through my casement H822 (אֶשְׁנָב) — a latticed window
7 And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And beheld H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- among the simple ones H6612 (פְּתִי) — silly (i.e. seducible)
- I discerned H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
- among the youths H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- a young man H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- void H2638 (חָסֵר) — lacking; hence, without
- of understanding H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
8 Passing through the street near her corner; And he went the way to her house,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Passing through H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- the street H7784 (שׁוּק) — a street (as run over)
- near H681 (אֵצֶל) — a side; (as a preposition) near
- her corner H6434 (פֵּן) — an angle (of a street or wall)
- and he went H6805 (צָעַד) — to pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively) to hurl
- the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- to her house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
9 In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- In the twilight H5399 (נֶשֶׁף) — properly, a breeze, i.e. (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
- in the evening H6153 (עֶרֶב) — dusk
- in the evening H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- in the black H380 (אִישׁוֹן) — the little man of the eye; the pupil or ball; hence, the middle (of night)
- and dark H653 (אֲפֵלָה) — duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment
- night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
10 And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And, behold, there met H7125 (קִרְאָה) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
- him a woman H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
- the attire H7897 (שִׁית) — a dress (as put on)
- of an harlot H2181 (זָנָה) — to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (the Jewish…
- and subtil H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- of heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
11 (She is clamorous and wilful; Her feet abide not in her house:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- loud H1993 (הָמָה) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
- and stubborn H5637 (סָרַר) — to turn away, i.e. (morally) be refractory
- her feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
- abide H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
- not in her house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
12 Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner.)Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Now H6471 (פַּעַם) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
- without H2351 (חוּץ) — properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors
- in the streets H7339 (רְחֹב) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area
- and lieth in wait H693 (אָרַב) — to lurk
- at H681 (אֵצֶל) — a side; (as a preposition) near
- every corner H6438 (פִּנָּה) — an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, And with an impudent face she said unto him:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So she caught H2388 (חָזַק) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conque…
- him, and kissed H5401 (נָשַׁק) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
- with an impudent H5810 (עָזַז) — to be stout (literally or figuratively)
- face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
14 Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me; This day have I paid my vows.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- peace H8002 (שֶׁלֶם) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
- offerings H2077 (זֶבַח) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
- with me; this day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- have I payed H7999 (שָׁלַם) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in variou…
- my vows H5088 (נֶדֶר) — a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, Diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Therefore came I forth H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- to meet H7125 (קִרְאָה) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
- thee, diligently to seek H7836 (שָׁחַר) — properly, to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking)
- thy face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- and I have found H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
16 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I have decked H7234 (רָבַד) — to spread
- my bed H6210 (עֶרֶשׂ) — a couch (properly, with a canopy)
- with coverings H4765 (מַרְבַד) — a coverlet
- of tapestry, with carved H2405 (חֲטֻבָה) — properly, a carving; hence, a tapestry (as figured)
- with fine linen H330 (אֵטוּן) — properly, twisted (yarn), i.e. tapestry
- of Egypt H4714 (מִצְרַיִם) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
17 I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I have perfumed H5130 (נוּף) — to quiver (i.e. vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinadoing, sawin…
- my bed H4904 (מִשְׁכָּב) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
- with myrrh H4753 (מֹר) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)
- aloes H174 (אֲהָלִים) — aloe wood (i.e. sticks)
- and cinnamon H7076 (קִנָּמוֹן) — cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls)
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; Let us solace ourselves with loves.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Come H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- let us take our fill H7301 (רָוָה) — to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
- of love H1730 (דּוֹד) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
- until the morning H1242 (בֹּקֶר) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
- let us solace H5965 (עָלַס) — to leap for joy, i.e. exult, wave joyously
- ourselves with loves H159 (אֹהַב)
19 For the man is not at home; He is gone a long journey:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For the goodman H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- not at home H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- he is gone H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- a long H7350 (רָחוֹק) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
- journey H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him; He will come home at the full moon.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He hath taken H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- a bag H6872 (צְרוֹר) — a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package)
- of money H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- with him H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- will come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- home H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- at the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- appointed H3677 (כֶּסֶא) — properly, fulness or the full moon, i.e. its festival
21 With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield; With the flattering of her lips she forceth him along.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- With her much H7230 (רֹב) — abundance (in any respect)
- fair speech H3948 (לֶקַח) — properly, something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer); also (in an active and sinister sense) inveiglement
- she caused him to yield H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- with the flattering H2506 (חֵלֶק) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
- of her lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- she forced H5080 (נָדַח) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
22 He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the correction of the fool;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He goeth H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- her straightway H6597 (פִּתְאוֹם) — instantly
- as an ox H7794 (שׁוֹר) — a bullock (as a traveller)
- goeth H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- to the slaughter H2874 (טֶבַח) — properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
- or as a fool H191 (אֱוִיל) — (figuratively) silly
- to the correction H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
- of the stocks H5914 (עֶכֶס) — a fetter; hence, an anklet
23 Till an arrow strike through his liver; As a bird hasteth to the snare, And knoweth not that it is for his life.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Till a dart H2671 (חֵץ) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
- strike H6398 (פָּלַח) — to slice, i.e. break open or pierce
- through his liver H3516 (כָּבֵד) — the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera)
- as a bird H6833 (צִפּוֹר) — a little bird (as hopping)
- hasteth H4116 (מָהַר) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a bad sense); often used (with another verb) adverbially, promptly
- to the snare H6341 (פַּח) — a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina)
- and knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- for his life H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
24 Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me, And attend to the words of my mouth.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Hearken H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- unto me now therefore, O ye children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- and attend H7181 (קָשַׁב) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
- to the words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- of my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
25 Let not thy heart decline to her ways; Go not astray in her paths.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let not thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- decline H7847 (שָׂטָה) — to deviate from duty
- to her ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- go not astray H8582 (תָּעָה) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
- in her paths H5410 (נָתִיב) — a (beaten) track
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For she hath cast down H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
- many H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- wounded H2491 (חָלָל) — pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
- yea, many strong H6099 (עָצוּם) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
- have been slain H2026 (הָרַג) — to smite with deadly intent
27 Her house is the way to Sheol, Going down to the chambers of death.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Her house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- to hell H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
- going down H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
- to the chambers H2315 (חֶדֶר) — an apartment (usually literal)
- of death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin