Proverbs 7:3

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 7:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Bind them upon thy fingers; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Bind them upon thy fingers; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.
Proverbs 7:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Bind them upon thy fingers; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bind them upon thy fingers, etc.] Let the above words and doctrines be as ready and familiar as if they were at the fingers’ ends; or let them be always fresh in memory, as a piece of thread is tied about the fingers, to put in mind of anything to be done; or let them be as rings upon the fingers, both memorial and ornamental: or put into practice the things taught and commanded; the fingers being the instruments of action, and especially of doing things nicely and accurately; write them upon the table of thine heart; that they may be strong in the memory, deep in the affection, and abiding in the understanding and will; (see <200303>Proverbs 3:3).”
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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
“Bind . . . fingers--as inscriptions on rings.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bind them - As a ring which is continually in a man's eye. Proverbs 7:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:3 The Old Testament uses the phrase tie . . . on your fingers as a reminder for something that needs to be remembered, most notably God’s commands (Deut 6:8; 11:18). • The NLT’s write them deep within your heart reflects the Hebrew idiom write them on the tablet of your heart (see also Prov 3:3). Only obedience that comes from the heart will last.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 3:3, Pro 6:21; Deu 6:8, Deu 6:9, Deu 11:18-20; Isa 30:8; Jer 17:1, Jer 31:33; Co2 3:3 Proverbs 7:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification