Proverbs 4:13

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 4:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.
Proverbs 4:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Take fast hold of instruction, etc.] Not the law, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it; but the instruction of wisdom, the doctrine of Christ or the Gospel; (see <200801>Proverbs 8:1-10); which is an instruction into the mind and will of God, concerning the salvation of men; into the grace of God, showing that salvation, in all its branches, is of pure grace; into the person and offices of Christ, and into the business of salvation through him; into the doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life by him. This should be “taken fast hold of”; in order to which, men should take heed unto it, attentively hear it; they should come with a cordial affection to it, and an eager desire…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 24:1-10; Psalms 37:0. Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou runnest”) there is no risk of falling. Proverbs 4:13 She is thy life - Another parallel between personified Wisdom in this book and the Incarnate Wisdom in John 1:4. Proverbs 4:16 A fearful stage of debasement. Sin is the condition without…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Take: Pro 3:18, Pro 23:23; Act 2:42, Act 11:23; Th1 5:21; Heb 2:1; Rev 2:13, Rev 12:11 let: Gen 32:26; Sol 3:4; Luk 24:27-29; Joh 4:39-42 she: Pro 3:22; Deu 32:47; Ecc 7:12; Joh 6:68 Proverbs 4:14”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The exhortations attracting by means of promises, now become warnings fitted to alarm: 13 Hold fast to instruction, let her not go; Keep her, for she is thy life. 14 Into the path of the wicked enter not, And walk not in the way of the evil 15 Avoid it, enter not into it; Turn from it and pass away. 16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil, And they are deprived of sleep unless they bring others to ruin. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And they drink the wine of violence. Elsewhere מוּסר means also self-discipline, or moral religious education, Pro 1:3; here discipline, i.e., parental educative counsel. תּרף is the segolated fut. apoc. Hiph. (indic. תּרפּה) from tarp, cf. the…”
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Sources and verification