Proverbs 4:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Grip instruction firmly and never release it, for it is the source of your life.
The Context of Proverbs 4:13
The father commands his son to grip instruction as vital to his very life.
What Does Proverbs 4:13 Mean?
The command is emphatic: 'Take fast hold' and 'let her not go.' This is not a casual recommendation but an urgent call to grasp instruction as one would grasp a rope over a chasm. The repeated imperative—take, let not go, keep—stresses the necessity of active, sustained effort to maintain your grip on wisdom.
The climactic declaration 'she is thy life' elevates instruction from a tool or guide to the very source of existence. Without instruction, you do not merely make mistakes; you lack life itself. This language suggests that instruction is not one good among many but fundamental to human flourishing and survival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 4:13
What does Proverbs 4:13 mean?
Grip instruction firmly and never release it, for it is the source of your life.
What is the context of Proverbs 4:13?
The father commands his son to grip instruction as vital to his very life.