Proverbs-Chap-3:5-6
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Remember the
following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Eloleichem) which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Just before the study, I would like to provide one more vital quote from the book of Yahoshua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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The following may seem strange, but one Friday morning having done all my prayer duties, something came into my mind, and it was ‘Proverbs chapter 3’, but what I was mainly led to was ‘verses 5 and 6’. Thus I read these two very special verses and the rest of the chapter. But let us first look at these two verses for they are very special indeed!
Mishle Shlomo - Proverbs Chapter 3:5-6. (All in JPS-1917 version).
It is first in Hebrew, then Transliterated and then in English of course:
בְּטַח אֶל-יְהוָה, בְּכָל-לִבֶּךָ; וְאֶל-בִּינָתְךָ, אַל-תִּשָּׁעֵן
5. Be’tach el YHVH b’chol li’be’cha, v’el bi’nat’cha al ti’sha’en.
“Trust in יְהוָה - the LORD with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding.
בְּכָל-דְּרָכֶיךָ דָעֵהוּ; וְהוּא, יְיַשֵּׁר אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ
6. Be’chol-d’ra’chei’cha da’eihu; v’hu, ye'ya’sher or’cho’teicha.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths”.
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Introduction to chapter 3:
Proverbs Chapter 3 is a compact guide to wisdom lived out: it urges fidelity to instruction, and ‘trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’ (God), ‘humility’, ‘generosity’, and the moral and practical benefits of ‘walking in wisdom’. The chapter moves from parental counsel to promises for the faithful Hebrews, then to practical exhortations about ‘speech’, ‘conduct’, and ‘relationships’.
However, verses 5-6 certainly stand’s at the very heart of this chapter as a concise summons to ‘trust the Divine guidance’; it will be highlighted below and revealed by the ‘word for word’ section.
Let us now do a ‘word for word’ breakdown of Proverbs 3:5 and 6 (Hebrew, and literal sense).
The Hebrew line verse 5
followed by line 6:
בְּטַח - ‘b’tach’
= ‘trust’ (a verb, imperative: rely, be secure).
אֶל - el = in/to
(preposition).
יְהוָה - YHVH
= the LORD (the Divine Name).
בְּכָל־לִבְּךָ - b’chol
lib’cha = with all your heart (literally: in all your
heart).
וְאֶל־בִּינָתְךָ - v’el
binat'’cha = and to your understanding (to your
insight/wisdom).
אַל־תִּשָּׁעֵן - al tisha’en
= do not lean (do not rely upon).
Literal sense of line 1: “Trust in יְהוָה - the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding”.
The Hebrew line 2:
בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶיךָ –
Be’chol-d’ra’chei’cha - in all your ways (in every
path/undertaking).
דָעֵהוּ - da’eihu
- know/acknowledge him (recognize him; be aware of him).
וְהוּא - v'hu
- and he.
יְיַשֵּׁר –
ye’ya’sher - will make straight / will direct (will
straighten, make right).
אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ –
or’cho’techa - your paths (your roads/ways).
Literal sense of line 2: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths”.
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Now. let us look at this remarkable chapter in full - “verse by verse”.
Verses 1-4.
Hold fast to instruction. Keep the teaching you received; let kindness and truth be your adornment so you gain favour and a good name.
Verses 5-6.
Trust and guidance. (Highlighted above) Trust אֱלֹהִים - Elohim wholly, avoid relying solely on your own insight, acknowledge אֱלֹהִים in every way, and receive directed paths.
Verses 7-8.
Fear of the Lord and health. Shun self‑confidence and evil; reverence for אֱלֹהִים brings healing and refreshment.
Verses 9-10.
Honour God with wealth. Give the first-fruits; abundance and provision follow generous, God-honouring stewardship.
Verses 11-12.
Accept discipline. Do not despise יְהוָה - the LORD’s correction; it is a sign of love and parental care.
Verses 13-18.
The value of wisdom. Wisdom is praised as more profitable than riches, bringing long life, peace, and pleasantness.
Verses 19-20.
Wisdom in creation. Wisdom is at work in the ordering of the world.
Verses 21-26.
Keep wisdom close. Hold sound judgment and discretion; they preserve you from sudden fear and harm.
Verses 27-35.
Practical righteousness. Do good without delay, avoid envy of the violent, and trust that the upright will inherit the land while the wicked are cut off.
Short reflection on verses 5-6 and the closing of this study:
There is no doubt that the two special verses - 5 and 6 form a practical hinge: inward trust (heart) and outward acknowledgement (ways) together they invite Divine direction. The command not to rely on one’s own understanding is not a call to intellectual passivity but a reorientation, placing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s wisdom as the final reference for life’s choices. The promise that follows is relational and active: אֱלֹהִים will direct or make straight the paths of those who trust and acknowledge Him.
Closing prayer/meditation
(brief):
May the heart be steady in trust, the mind open to אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s wisdom, and each step guided so that paths
become clear and purposeful. Amen.
I trust that you will have learnt something special, as well as having enjoyed this reading this chapter!
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In
Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the
Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or statement within it
has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more
time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing well as a faithful
Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is always there and ready to help and guide you!
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PLEASE NOTE: If you need any assistance, just ask, I will assist, and I can also send an email to you, with special items to help you with whatever you may need! Just email me and I will send it to your email. There will no follow up’s whatsoever, or any requests from me, unless you wish further information, (use the email that is located further down this page).
This site was
originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’s guidance! For interest, as you may have discovered, this site has
become more a teaching site, bringing our faith closer to its origins!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the
following, via a number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem;
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances,
and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and
you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with
you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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