Proverbs 5:2

לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְזִמּ֑וֹת וְ֝דַ֗עַת שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ

That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

לִ שְׁמֹ֥ר

לִ

Prefix — preposition to, for

שְׁמֹ֥ר

Root word keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …

Dictionary form: שָׁמַר · shaw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Construct, construct state simple action — "he did" try "to ___" or "___ing"

In the KJV here: that thou mayest regard

keep ×28 kept ×24 and keep ×23 to keep ×23 take heed ×16 and to keep ×7 observe ×7 ye shall keep ×6

More options

keep — Most versatile rendering; suits commands and ongoing obligations.

observe — Best for law/covenant contexts: observe the sabbath.

guard — Physical or protective watching over something or someone.

watch over — Caring, attentive oversight; warm, pastoral register.

heed — Prefer when the nuance is careful attention or warning.

preserve — Suits divine protection contexts: God preserves his people.

BDB8848 H8104

I. שָׁמַר₄₆₅ verb keep, watch, preserve (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמר in proper name and (Punic) = watchman; Tel Amarna šimiru is perhaps overseer (Canaanism), Wkl^{No. 80, i. 23}; Mandean סמירא preserved Nö^{M 46}; compare Arabic converse by night, stay awake (see Lag^{BN 105}); Ba^{NB 175 f.; ES 43} infers from eyelid (compare [שְׁמֻרָה] below), and Arabic support, aid, protect (l = r), that two √ √ are combined in Hebrew; but proof insufficient); —

Qal₄₂₅ Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 37:11 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמֹר 1Sam 2:9 +, יִשְׁמָרֿ Jer 5:24 +, suffix 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּ Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 3 feminine singular suffix תִּשְׁמוּרֵ֑ם Prov 14:3 (read תִּשְׁמְרוּם, see Ges^{«GKC:47g»§ 47g} Toy), etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמֹר Job 2:6 +, שָׁמְרָה 1Chr 29:18 +; masculine plural שִׁמְרוּ Josh 6:18 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺר Deut 5:12 +; construct שְׁמֹר Gen 3:24 +, suffix שָׁמְרָהּ Gen 2:15, etc.; Participle active שֹׁמֵר 1Sam 1:12 +, etc.; passive שָׁמוּר Eccl 5:12 (1Sam 9:24 see below), etc.; — [Synon. I. נָצַר, נָטַר, q. v.]:

1. a. keep, have charge of, garden Gen 2:15 (J), ark 1Sam 7:1, property in trust Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9 (E), compare 1Sam 25:31 tend flock Gen 30:31 (E), compare Zech 3:7; Num 3:8 (P); so perhaps (object omitted) Hos 12:13 (where ׳שׁ chosen for parallelism Now Marti and others); Participle הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹ֑כִי Gen 4:9 (J), ׳שׁ of sheep 1Sam 17:20, הַכֵּלִים ׳שׁ v1Sam 17:22, הַכְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14; 2Chr 34:22, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:8; Esth 2:15, compare vEsth 2:14, etc.
b. keep, guard, captives Josh 10:18 (J), 1Kgs 20:39, דֶּרֶךְ Gen 3:24 (J); keep watch and ward, אֶל person for whom 1Sam 26:15 (Ps 59:10 see 3 end), עַל person vPs 59:16; Prov 6:22 בַּנַּעַר 2Sam 18:12 have a care of (read לִי for מִי ᵐ5 and modern); in hostile sense, אֶל הָעִיר (in siege) 2Sam 11:16, חַטָאתִי עַל Job 14:16 (but read תַּעֲבֹר with ᵐ5 Ew Di Du and others [not Hi Bu]); absolute with מֵעַל Eccl 5:7 watcheth above, etc.; keep one's mouth, be prudent of speech Prov 21:33, compare Mic 7:5 keep = protect, save, one's life, נֶפֶשׁ Prov 13:3; Prov 16:17; Prov 19:16; Prov 22:5, another's Job 2:6 in Proverbs, accusative of person, subject wisdom, Job 4:6 she shall preserve thee, compare (+ מִן of evil) Job 6:24; Job 7:5 especially Participle watch, watchman, of city Isa 21:11 (twice in verse); Isa 21:12; Isa 62:5 (figurative), Song 3:3; Song 5:7 (twice in verse); Ps 127:1 הַמֶּלֶף ׳שׁ (in temple) Jer 35:4 + (see סַף), פֶּית הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳הַפּ 1Kgs 14:27 = 2Chr 12:10, הַשְּׁעָרִים ׳שׁ Neh 13:22, שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת (figurative) Eccl 12:3 ׳שׁ הַבַּיִתךֵסעוֺה ךֵהת פךֵךֵכ (of David's concubines) 2Sam 15:16; 2Sam 16:21; 2Sam 20:3 שֹׁמֵר הַכֵּלִים 1Sam 17:22, הַבְּגָדִים ׳שׁ 2Kgs 22:14, חַפַּרְדֵּס ׳שׁ Neh 2:8, הַנָּשִׁים ׳שׁ Esth 2:3; Esth 2:14; Esth 2:15, שֹׁמְרִים absolute Judg 7:19; Jer 51:12.
c. hence watch for, wait for, accusative of person 1Sam 19:11 (to kill him), compare Ps 59:1 (title; accusative הַבַּיִת); with יֲקֵכַי Ps 56:7 = dog my steps, Ps 71:10; Jer 20:10 = watch (suspiciously) Job 10:14; Job 13:27; Job 33:11 absolute הַשֹּׁעמרִים Judg 1:24 wait for, נֶשֶׁף Job 24:15, לַבֹּקֶר Ps 130:6 (twice in verse).
d. watch, observe, accusative of thing 1Sam 1:12; Eccl 11:4; Job 39:1; Jer 8:7 (of birds), with intelligence Isa 42:20; Ps 107:43 accusative of person Ps 37:37 (|| ראה), Zech 11:11 accusative of sin Ps 31:7; Ps 130:3 accusative of thing, for the purpose of avoiding, Ps 17:4.

2. a. keep, retain, of storing up (food) Gen 41:35 (E); absolute Eccl 3:6 (opposed to הִשְׁלִיךְ); treasure up (in memory) Gen 37:11 (E), compare Mal 2:7; 1Chr 29:18; Prov 4:21 (בְּתוֺךְ לְבָבֶ֑ךְ), Prov 22:18 (כְּבִטֱנ֑ךָ); retain wrath Amos 1:11 (read שָׁמֶר לָנֶצַח We Now GASm Marti; see also נָטַר 1) + (anger omitted) Jer 3:5 (|| נטר).
b. keep within bounds, restrain, object שׁוֺר Exod 21:29; Exod 21:36 (E); with accusative hand, מִן of evil Isa 56:2 figurative keep thy foot, with temporal clause Eccl 4:17 לְֿפִי מַחְסוֺם׳אֶשׁ Ps 39:2 (ᵐ5 Du and others אָשִׁימָה); apparently reflexive (= Niph`al), Josh 6:18 (+ מִןהַֿחֵרֶס), possibly sc. גַפְשְׁכֶם Di.

3. a. observe, celebrate, accusative of festival, etc., Exod 23:15 (E), Exod 34:18 (J), Exod 12:17 of day vExod 12:17 (P), of month Deut 16:1.
b. keep Sabbath Deut 5:12; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:30; Lev 26:2 (all H), Exod 31:13; Exod 31:14; Exod 31:16 (P), Isa 56:4, also (+ מֵחַלְּלוֺ) vIsa 56:2 vIsa 56:6.
c. of other obligations: keep convenant Ezek 17:14, especially convenant of ׳י Deut 29:8; 1Kgs 11:11 + 5 t., ׳שְׁבֻעַת י 1Kgs 2:43, perform vow Deut 23:24 keep commands Jer 35:18; Ezek 20:18 especially מִצָוֺת, תֻקִּים, יֲבֹדָה, etc., of ׳י (sometimes || נצר), Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10; Amos 2:4; 1Kgs 2:3; Ps 119:8; Ps 119:17; Ps 119:34 + very often (c. 120 t.); ׳דֶּרֶח י ׳שׁ Gen 18:19 (J) + 4 t., ׳דַּרְכֵי י 2Sam 22:22 = Ps 18:22, ׳י ׳ד omitted Judg 2:22 b; אָרְחוֺת צַדַּיקִים ׳שׁ Prov 2:20 (|| תֵּלֵח תְּלֵח בְּדֶרֶח טוֺבֹים), ׳שׁ דְּרָכַי (ways of wisdom) Prov 8:32 (Ps 17:4 see 1 d); keep discharge an office, כְּהֻנָּה Num 3:10; Num 18:7 (both P), absolute 2Chr 5:11 a function or duty, especially מִשְׁמֶרֶת ׳שׁ Lev 8:35; Num 1:53 + approximately 32 t. (see ׳מ below); accusative of obligation often omitted, especially D (and R^D) keep and do Deut 4:6; Deut 7:12 + 8 t.; to do Deut 5:1; Deut 5:29 + 16 t. D + 3 t., etc.
d. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom) Hos 12:7 (חֶסֶד וּמִשְׁפָּט), Isa 56:1; Prov 4:4; Prov 5:2; Prov 7:1; Prov 7:2 bad sense, observe vanities Ps 31:7. — Doubtful are: לִשְׁמֹר absolute Hos 4:10, very strange (conjectures in We Now Marti); שָׁמוּר 1Sam 9:24, HPS אֵחַרְנוּ, compare Now Bu^Comm.; Ps 59:10 read עֻוִּי אֵלֶיךָ אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה (as vPs 59:18, ᵑ6 Che Bae).

4. sometimes ׳י subject:
a. keep, preserve, protect, accusative of person, + ב of way, etc., Gen 28:15; Gen 28:20 (J), Exod 23:20 (E; of מַלְאָח), Ps 91:11 (׳מ), Josh 24:17 (E); accusative of person (or נפשׁ) only: 1Sam 30:23; Jer 31:9; Num 6:24 (P), Job 29:2; Ps 16:1 + 10 t. Psalms; + מִן Ps 121:7 + 2 t.; accusative רַהְּלַי 1Sam 2:9, compare Prov 3:26 (מִן); Participle שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ Ps 121:3; Ps 121:5, compare vPs 121:4, etc.; accusative of city Ps 127:1.
b. with accusative בְּרִית, ל person Deut 7:12, + חֶסֶד vDeut 7:7 + 5 t., אֱמֶת לְעוֺלָם ׳הַשּׁ Ps 146:6 הַשְּׁבֻעָה Deut 7:8, etc.; passive of covenant (׳י agent) עֲרוּכָה בַכֹּל וּשְׁמֻרָה 2Sam 23:5 (legal terminology, Dr).

5. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest Jer 5:24 (ל person). Niph`al₃₆ Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַד 2Sam 20:10, etc.; Imperfect 3 feminine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Judg 13:13 2 masculine plural תִּשָּׁמַ֑רוּ Exod 23:13 Imperative masculine singular תִּשָּׁמֵד Isa 7:4 הִדָמשּׁ֫מֶר (לְךָׅ Gen 24:6 +; feminine singular הִשָּֽׁמְרִי Judg 13:4, etc.; —

1. be on one's guard, with בַּחֶרֶב 2Sam 20:10 by reason of the sword, i.e. against it; with ב temporal 1Sam 19:2, שָׁם 2Kgs 6:10 take heed Exod 23:13 (E) Deut 2:4 with מִן person Exod 23:21 (E), Jer 9:3 מִן of thing Judg 13:13; Deut 23:10 מִן infinitive take care not to, etc. Gen 31:29 (E), 2Kgs 6:9 infinitive without מִן Exod 19:12 (J), but read probably מֵעֲלוֺת; followed by פֶּן lest Gen 24:6 (J) + 11 t. (especially Deuteronomy); with (וְ)אַל jussive Exod 10:23 (J), Judg 13:4; Job 36:21, with Imperative coordinate Isa 7:4. — Very often Imperative (24 t.), especially in phrase הִשָּׁמֶרלְֿךָ (12 t.), הִשָּֽׁטְרוּ לָכֶם (3 t.); + לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם Deut 4:15; Josh 23:11 (R^D; + infinitive); + ׳בְּנַפ Jer 17:21 apparently ב pret. on peril of your life (compare ב III. 3 a), so perhaps also בְּרוּחֲכֶם Mal 2:15; Mal 2:16 (We Now).

2. keep oneself, refrain, abstain, מֵאִשָּׁה 1Sam 21:5.

3. be kept, guarded, Hos 12:14 (compare ׳שׁ of Jacob v.Hos 12:13); be preserved (by ׳י) Ps 37:28 (לִיוֺלָם), but read probably עַוָּלִים (לְעוֺלָם) נִשְׁמָ֑דוּ Hup-Ri (Now) Che Bae Du Dr. Pi`el Participle plural מְשַׁמְּרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא Jonah 2:9 those paying regard to false vanities (compare Qal Ps 31:7). Hithpa`el Imperfect 1 singular וָאֶשְׁתַּסֵּר מֵעֲוֺנַי Ps 18:24 I kept myself from, etc. = 2Sam 22:24 (verb cohortative); 3 masculine singular וְיִשְׁתַּמֵּר חֻקּוֺת עָמְרִי Mic 6:16, but read וְתִשְׁמֹר thou keepest, observest, We Now GASm.

keep, kept, observe, heed, keepeth, …

šāmar

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

to keep, guard, observe, give heed

(Qal)

to keep, have charge of

watch, watchman (participle)

to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

מְזִמּ֑וֹת

Root word devices, discretion, device, thoughts, wickedly, …

Dictionary form: מְזִמָּה · meh-dzim-MAW

Noun — Common, feminine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: discretion

and discretion ×2 discretion ×2 of wicked devices ×2 a mischievous ×1 a mischievous device ×1 against thee wickedly ×1 and the devices ×1 his device ×1

More options

scheme — Broadly useful; covers both neutral and negative contexts.

plan — Neutral register; prefer when context is positive or wise.

discretion — Modernizes KJV; best for wisdom-literature, positive sense.

shrewd thinking — Captures the cognitive, deliberate nuance of the lemma.

wicked device — Use when context is clearly malicious or sinful.

intent — Good for interior motive rather than outward plot.

BDB2383 H4209

מְזִמָּה noun feminine purpose, discretion, device (Jeremiah and Wisdom Literature), מְזִמָּה Job 42:2 + 5 t.; הַמְּזִמָּ֫תָה Jer 11:15

**altogether עָֽשְׂתָה מְזִמֹּת ַהנְדָרִים וּבְשַׂר קֹדֶשׁ יִעֲבִרוּ מֵעָלַיִח תָעָתֵךְ (but read for רַבִּים ׳המ with ᵐ5 הַמְּזִמֹּת ַהנְדָרִים); מְזִמָּתוֺ Jer 51:11 plural absolute מְזִמּוֺת Ps 37:7 + 7 t.; construct id. Jer 23:20; Jer 30:24 suffix מְזִמּוֺתָיו Ps 10:4 —

1. of ׳י's purposes Job 42:2 chiefly in punishment (compare זָמַם, זִמָּה) Jer 23:20; Jer 30:24; Jer 51:11(|| זמם vJer 51:12).

2. power of devising, discretion Prov 1:4 (|| דַּעַת), Prov 2:11 (|| תְּבוּנָה), Prov 3:21 (|| תֻּשִׁיָּה), Prov 5:2 (|| דַּעַת); דַּעַת מְזִמּוֺת Prov 8:12.

3. a. evil thoughts of men Ps 10:4, evil devices of men Job 21:27 (|| מחשׁבות), Ps 10:2; Ps 21:12 (both with חָשַׁב).
b. wickedness in act Jer 11:15; Ps 37:7 (both with עָשָׂה), Ps 139:20 לִמְזִמָּה = wickedly; — note phrases: מְזִמּוֺת אישׁ a man of (evil) devices (or practices) Prov 12:2 (opposed to טוֺכ) Prov 14:17 בַּעַלמְֿזִמּוֺת Prov 24:8 (|| מְחַשֵּׁב לְהָרֵעַ; see בַּעַל).

devices, discretion, device, thoughts, wickedly, …

mĕzimmâ

a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)

purpose, discretion, device, plot

purpose

וְ ֝דַ֗עַת

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

֝דַ֗עַת

Root word knowledge, know, knowest, cunning, knew, …

Dictionary form: דַּעַת · da-AT

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: knowledge

knowledge ×34 of knowledge ×10 and knowledge ×8 the knowledge ×4 and in knowledge ×3 by his knowledge ×3 to know ×3 and the knowledge ×2

More options

knowledge — Modernized KJV; broadest, most versatile rendering.

understanding — Emphasizes comprehension and insight over mere facts.

awareness — Prefer when the nuance is conscious recognition or perception.

discernment — Highlights wise, discriminating judgment; good in wisdom contexts.

expertise — Use when skilled or technical knowledge (e.g. craftsmanship) is implied.

knowing — Verbal-noun form; suits relational or experiential knowledge.

BDB3458 H1847

דַּ֫עַת noun feminine^{Ps 139:6} Dan 12:4 (masculine Prov 2:10; Prov 14:6, possibly Job 33:3 Ew^{§174 g}) knowledge (properly Infinitive, which appears clearly Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17; Jer 22:16) — absolute דַּ֫עַת Gen 2:9 + 35 t.; דָּ֑עַת Josh 20:3 + 35 t.; construct דַּ֫עַת Num 24:16 + 10 t.; suffix דַּעְתִּי Prov 22:17 דַּעְתְּךָ Job 10:7 דַּעְתֵּךְ Isa 47:10 דַּעְתּוֺ Prov 3:20; Isa 53:11 דַּעְתְּכֶם Job 13:2 דַּעְתָּם Isa 44:25 —

1. a. knowledge, perception in phrase ׳בִּבְלִי ד Deut 4:42 = unintenionally, Deut 19:4; Josh 20:3 (where P's synonym is בִּשְׁגָגָה vJosh 20:3 vJosh 20:9, compare Num 35:11; Num 35:15), vNum 35:5 without knowing ׳מִבְּלִי ד Isa 5:13 ( = before they knew it, suddenly).
b. = skill (in work-manship) Exod 31:3; Exod 35:31 (both P; both || תְּבוּנָה and חָכְמָה), 1Kgs 7:14 (followed by infinitive); creative skill Isa 40:14 (|| אֹרַח מִשְׁפָּט, דֶּרֶךְ תְּבוּנוֺת).
c. of prophetic knowledge עליון ׳יֹדֵעַ ד Num 24:16 (JE), compare Ps 19:3.
d. especially knowledge with moral quality Gen 2:9; Gen 2:17 (J; in both verbal force, טוֺב וָרַע ׳הַדּ the knowing good and evil).
e. knowledge possessed by God Job 10:7; Ps 139:6; Prov 3:20 (|| חָכְמָה and תְּבוּנָה), Prov 21:12 taught by God to men Ps 94:10; Ps 119:66 (|| טוּב טַעַם), Prov 2:6 (|| תְּבוּנָה and חָכְמָה). feminine דַּעַתרֿוּחַ = windy (unreal) knowledge Job 15:2.

2. especially in Wisdom Literature = discernment, understanding, wisdom:
a. Job 13:2; Job 33:3 (שְׂפָתַי ׳ד), לֹא בְּדַעַת Job 34:35(|| חכמה), Prov 8:9; Prov 8:10 (|| מוסר), Prov 10:4; Prov 11:9; Prov 18:15 (twice in verse); Prov 22:12; Prov 29:7, compare Isa 32:4; Isa 53:11; Jer 10:14 = Jer 51:17 בבלי דעת Job 35:16; Job 36:12 ׳בלי ד Job 38:2; Job 42:3, ׳בְּלֹא ד Prov 19:2 || תְּבוּנָה Prov 17:27; Isa 44:19 ׳ת + חכמה Prov 24:4, || מְזִמָּה Prov 1:4; Prov 5:2 מְזִמּוֺת ׳ד Prov 8:12 || verb עָרַם Prov 19:25 || מֹצֵעוֺת Prov 22:20 || מוּסָר Prov 12:1; Prov 19:27; Prov 23:12 || תּוֺרָה Mal 2:7 || חכמה Prov 14:6; Eccl 1:16; Eccl 1:18; Eccl 2:21; Eccl 2:26; Eccl 7:12; Eccl 9:10: connected with חָכָם Prov 21:11; Eccl 12:9 דברי חכמים Prov 22:17; Isa 33:6 (חכמת) Isa 44:25 (חכמים); wisdom of magicians Isa 47:10; Dan 1:4 (|| חָכְמָה and מַדָּע).
b. in highest sense, knowledge of God (including obedience) Hos 4:1; Hos 4:6 (מִבְּלִי הַדַּעַת), vHos 4:6; Hos 6:6; Job 21:14; Prov 2:5 (|| ׳יראת י), so Isa 11:2; Isa 58:2; Jer 22:16 (verbal force, with accusative), Prov 9:10 (קדשׁים ׳ד, || ׳יראת י), Prov 30:3 (id., || חָכְמָה); see also ׳ראשׁית ד ׳יִרְאַת י Prov 1:7 (|| חָכְמָה מוּסָר), vProv 1:22 vProv 1:29 (|| ׳יִרְאַת י) Prov 2:10 (|| חָכְמָה).
c. opposed to אִוֶּלֶת Prov 12:23; Prov 13:16; Prov 14:18; Prov 15:2 compare vProv 15:7, also vProv 15:14.
d. ׳שִׂפְתֵידֿ Prov 14:7; Prov 20:15 ׳אישׁ ד Prov 24:5 (|| גֶּבֶר חָכָם). — Dan 12:4 is dubious; ᵐ5 Bev read ותרכה הָרָעֹת.

knowledge, know, knowest, cunning, knew, …

daʿat

knowledge

knowledge

knowledge, perception, skill

שְׂפָתֶ֥י ךָ

שְׂפָתֶ֥י

Root word lips, bank, brim, edge, language, …

ךָ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: שָׂפָה · saw-PAW

Noun — Common, feminine dual, construct state dual — a natural pair ("two ___"); "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: and that thy lips

lips ×20 my lips ×11 his lips ×10 the bank ×8 the lips ×7 of his lips ×6 the edge ×6 of my lips ×5

More options

lip — Primary anatomical sense; most broadly applicable.

edge — Prefer for spatial/geographical contexts like riverbanks.

bank — Best for river or water's edge contexts.

shore — Use specifically for sea or lake margins.

language — Prefer when the sense is speech community or tongue.

speech — Use when emphasizing spoken words or manner of talking.

BDB8298 H8193

שָׂפָה₁₇₆ noun feminine [masculine Exod 28:32, edge, compare Albr^{ZAW xvi (1896), 76}], lip, speech, edge; — absolute ׳שׂ Gen 11:1 +, construct שְׂפַת vGen 11:7 +; suffix שְׂפָתוֺ 1Kgs 7:23 +, etc.; oftener dual שְׂפָתַיִם Isa 6:5 +, construct שִׂפְתֵי Ps 12:4 +; suffix שְׂפָתַי Jer 17:16 +, suffix 3 masculine plural שְׂפָתֵימוֺ Ps 59:13; Ps 140:4; Ps 140:10, etc.; plural (in poetry and late) construct שִׂפְתוֺת Eccl 10:12, suffix שִׂפְתוֺתֶיךָ etc. Ps 45:3; Ps 59:8; Isa 59:3; Song 4:3; Song 4:11; Song 5:13 —

1. lip:
a. usually (c. 108 t.) human organ of speech (often || פֶּה, לָשׁוֺן rarely [only late poetry] חֵךְ: 10 t. Job; 25 t. Psalms; 45 t. Proverbs): (1) Isa 29:13; Lev 5:4 (P), Job 13:6; Mal 2:6; Ps 12:5; Prov 5:3 +; ׳דַּל שׂ Ps 141:3 (see דָּל); ׳אִישׁ שׂ Job 11:2 = a talker, ׳אֱוִיל שׂ Prov 10:8 = one talking folly, so vProv 10:10 (ᵑ0; but see Toy); טְמֵא שְׂפָתַיִם Isa 6:5 (twice in verse) compare vIsa 6:7; Dan 10:16 ׳עֲרַל שׂ Exod 6:12; Exod 6:30 (P; unskilled in speech); ׳עִקֵּשׁ שׂ Exod 19:1 ׳פֹּתֶה שׂ Exod 20:19 see [ פָּתָה] p. 834; ׳מוֺצָא שׂ i.e. utterance, Deut 23:24; Jer 17:16; Num 30:13 (P), Ps 89:35, ׳רוּחַ שׂ Isa 11:4 (of Messianic king), ׳דְּבַר שׂ Ps 59:13; Prov 14:23 +, = mere, empty, word 2Kgs 18:20 = Isa 36:5 ׳תְּבוּאַת שׂ Prov 18:20, ׳נוב שׂ Isa 57:19 (thanksgiving), compare Hos 14:3 (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 and most פְּדִי for פָּרִים); of flattery, ׳חֵלֶק שׂ Prov 7:21, שְׂפַת חֲלָקוֺת Ps 12:3; Ps 12:4 compare שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה Ps 17:1, שֶׁקֶר ׳שׂ Ps 31:9 + 4 t., שְׂפַת אָוֶן Prov 17:4 poison beneath (compare לָשׁוֺן) Ps 140:4 (figurative); ׳פֶּשַׁע שׂ Prov 12:13 ׳לְזוּת שׂ Prov 4:24 אֱמֶת ׳שׂ Prov 12:19, יָ֑תֶר ׳שׂ Prov 17:7, צֶדֶק ׳שׂ Prov 16:13, דַּעַת ׳שׂ Prov 14:7; Prov 20:15 ׳חֵן שׂ Prov 22:11 שָׂפָה בְרוּרָה Zeph 3:9 רְנָנוֺת ׳שׂ Ps 63:5 i.e. lips that shout for joy; with verbs: ׳פָּתַח שׂ (to speak) Job 11:5; Job 30:20 (Gi vJob 30:21), compare Ps 51:17, ׳מִפְתַּח שׂ Prov 8:6 ׳פָּשַׁק שׂ Prov 13:3 i.e. prate; מָֽלְאוּ זַעַם ׳שׂ Isa 30:27 ׳שׂ subject of דִּבֶּר Isa 59:3; Prov 24:2 ׳נָשָׂא עַלשֿׂ Ps 16:14 ׳קָרַץ שׂ Prov 16:30 = backbite; ׳אָטַם שׂ Prov 17:28 = keep silence, so ׳חָשַׂךְ שׂ Prov 10:19, כָּלָא ׳שׂ Ps 40:10. (2) lips moving in speech, with נוּעַ 1Sam 1:13, נִיד Job 16:5. (3) transition to meaning speech, עָלָה עַלשְֿׂפַת לָשׁוֺן Ezek 36:3 = ability to speak Job 12:20.
b. organ of laughter Job 8:21.
c. of insulting grimace ׳הִפְטִיר בְּשׂ Ps 22:8.
d. quivering in terror Hab 3:16.
e. feature of beauty Song 4:3 (scarlet). feminine place of bridle 2Kgs 19:28 = Isa 37:29 (see מֶתֶג).
g. receiving kiss Prov 24:26 compare Song 4:11 and (in figurative) Song 7:10.
h. of divine speech, ׳מִצְוַת שׂ Job 23:12, ׳דְּבַר שׂ Ps 17:4.

2. language (see לָשׁוֺן), Gen 11:1; Gen 11:6; Gen 11:7 (twice in verse); Gen 11:9; Ps 81:6 ׳עַם עִמְקֵי שׂ Ezek 3:5; Ezek 3:6; Isa 33:19, ׳לַעֲגֵי שׂ Isa 28:11 שְׂפַת כְּנַעַן Isa 19:18 (i.e. Hebrew).

3. edge: shore of sea Gen 22:17 (J) + 7 t.; bank of river Gen 41:3; Gen 41:17 (E) + 5 t., of wady (נַחַל) Deut 2:36 + 7 t.; lip (bank) of אָבֵל מְחוֺלָה Judg 7:22 compare GASm^{G 400}; brim of vessel 1Kgs 7:23 (twice in verse) + 7 t.; edge of altar Ezek 43:13 of curtains (in pairs) Exod 26:4 (twice in verse) (P) + 6 t.; of חשֶׁן, toward ephod Exod 28:26 = Exod 39:19 (P); of round opening in robe (יִהְיֶה) לְפִיו ׳שׂ Exod 28:32 = Exod 39:23 (P).

lips, bank, brim, edge, language, …

śāpâ

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

lip (as body part)

יִנְצֹֽרוּ

Root word keep, preserve, keepeth, kept, watchmen, …

Dictionary form: נָצַר · naw-TSAHR

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), third person masculine plural simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: may keep

keep ×8 preserve ×6 and i shall keep ×2 he that keepeth ×2 of the watchmen ×2 thou shalt preserve ×2 whoso keepeth ×2 and is besieged ×1

More options

guard — Most versatile modern choice; suits protective contexts well.

watch over — Emphasizes vigilant, ongoing oversight; good for God as guardian.

keep — Modernized KJV core sense; natural for laws, commandments, loyalty.

protect — Highlights active defense; suits threats to life or safety.

preserve — Stresses maintaining intact over time; good for life or memory.

observe — Best when the object is a rule, covenant, or teaching.

BDB5346 H5341

I. [נָצַר] verb watch, guard, keep (Late Hebrew id., observe; Assyrian naƒâru, watch over, protect; Old Aramaic נצר protect Lzb³²⁵ Cook⁸³; Palmyrene in proper name Vog^{150, 4} Cook¹²⁴; Aramaic נְמַר, (compare Wetzst in De^Job (2) on Job 27:18); Arabic look at, consider, examine (, overseer is Aramaic loan-word Frä¹³⁸); Sabean להנצרהמו to aid them Hal^{Rev. Sém. iv (1896), 71}; Ethiopic spectare, intueri, etc., Di⁷⁰¹; — compare also נטר); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular suffix נְצָרָ֫תַם Ps 119:129 1 singular נָצָ֑רְתִּי Ps 119:22; Ps 119:56; Ps 119:100 3 masculine plural נָָֽצְרוּ Prov 22:12 Imperfect יִצִּר Prov 3:1 suffix יִצְּרֶ֫נְהוּ Ges^{«GKC:58»§ 58}, 4 R.) Deut 32:10 feminine suffix תִּנְצְרֶ֑כָּה Prov 2:11 (Ges^{«GKC:58»§ 58}, 4 R.); 1 singular אֶצֹּר Ps 119:69 אֶצְּרָה Ps 119:34; Ps 119:115 אֶצֹּ֑רָה Ps 119:145 suffix אֶצָּרְךָ Isa 42:6; Isa 49:8 (Ges Bö Ew and others from יצר); אֶצֳּרֶ֑נָּה Isa 27:3 3 masculine plural יִצְּרוּ Prov 20:28 יִנְצֹ֑רוּ Deut 33:9 (on forms see Ges^{«GKC:66»§ 66}, 2, R. I) + 15 t. Imperfect; Imperative נְצֹר Ps 34:14 + 3 t.; נִצְּרָה Ps 141:3 (dagesh forte dirimens Ges^{«GKC:20»§ 20}, 2 b); suffix נִצְּרֶ֑ה Prov 4:13 Infinitive absolute נָצוֺר Nah 2:2 construct נְצֹר Prov 2:8 Participle נוֺצֵר Prov 28:7 נֹצֵר Exod 34:7 + 7 t.; suffix נֹצְרָהּ Isa 27:3 plural נוֺצְרִים 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 18:8, etc.; passive נָצוּר Ezek 6:12 plural נְצוּרִים Isa 65:4 (ᵐ5 ἐν τοις σπηλαίοις, בַּמְּערוֺת); construct נְצוּרֵי (Kt נְצִירֵי only here) Isa 49:6 feminine נְצוּרָה Isa 1:8 (Di reads נְצוֺרָה Niph`al Participle √ צוּר); construct נְצֻרַת Prov 7:10 plural נְצֻרוֺת Isa 48:6 (Che reads בְּצֻרוֺת).

1. Watch, guard, keep, a vineyard Job 27:18 (compare Wetzst in De^Job (2) on the passage), Isa 27:3 (twice in verse), fig-tree Prov 27:18, fortification Nah 2:2 נֹצְרִים watchmen Jer 31:6 ׳מִגְדַּל נ tower of watchmen 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 18:8 in ethical sense of men, guarding the mouth Prov 13:3, the way Prov 16:17 לֵב Prov 4:23 the tongue מֵרַע Ps 34:14 with על, over the door of the lips Ps 141:3 of God נֹצֵר הָאָדָם Job 7:20 (thou) watcher of men (iron.).

2. Guard from dangers, preserve, with accusative, subject God or his attributes Deut 32:10; Ps 25:21; Ps 31:24; Ps 40:12; Ps 61:8; Isa 26:3; Isa 42:6; Isa 49:8; Prov 2:8; Prov 20:28; Prov 22:12 נֹצֵר נֶפֶשׁ Prov 24:12 with accusative and מן from which Ps 12:8; Ps 32:7; Ps 64:2; Ps 140:2; Ps 140:5. In Wisdom Literature subject is abstract: חבמה Prov 4:6 תבונה Prov 2:11 צדקה Prov 13:6 נְצוּרֵי ישׂראל Isa 49:6 preserved of Israel.

3. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe: of ׳י, נֹצֵר חֶסֶד לאלפים Exod 34:7 (J); elsewhere of man observing the covenant Deut 33:9 (poem) Ps 25:10, the divine law Ps 78:7; Ps 105:45; Ps 119:2; Ps 119:22; Ps 119:33; Ps 119:34; Ps 119:56; Ps 119:69; Ps 119:100; Ps 119:115; Ps 119:129; Ps 119:145 commands of parents Ps 60:20; Ps 28:7 and discipline of Wisdom Prov 3:1; Prov 3:21; Prov 4:13; Prov 5:2.

4. Guard, keep secret, dubious: נְצֻרוֺת secret things Isa 48:6 נְצוּרִים secret places Isa 65:4 (see forms above); נְצֻרַת לֵב secret, wily minded Prov 7:10 (of harlot, so RVm close, i.e. secretive).

5. Kept close, blockaded, dubious: הַנָּצוּר the blockaded (so Ew Hi Co Toy; but Ke Bth Kau preserved; Hi Co Bth Toy strike out והנשׁאר) Ezek 6:12 עִיר נְצוּרָה blockaded city Isa 1:8 (see form above); נֹצְרִים blockaders Jer 4:16 (but ᵐ5 συστροφαι = צררים i.e. foes).

נְצוּרִים see I נצר Qal Passive participle

BDB9706 H5202 H5341 H5201

[נְטַר] verb keep (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew I. נצר, and (rarely) נָטַר); —

Pe`al Perfect 1 singular מִלְּתָא בְּלִבִּי נִמְרֵת Dan 7:28.

keep, preserve, keepeth, kept, watchmen, …

nāṣar

to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)

to guard, watch, watch over, keep

(Qal)

to watch, guard, keep

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.

לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְזִמּ֑וֹת Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְ֝דַ֗עַת Revia Mugrash — a lesser break שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ Silluq — end of the verse

לִשְׁמֹר מְזִמּוֹת וְדַעַת שְׂפָתֶיךָ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃

That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

Cross References

Proverbs 15:7

שִׂפְתֵי חֲכָמִים יְזָרוּ דָעַת וְלֵב כְּסִילִים לֹא-כֵֽן׃

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Proverbs 16:23

לֵב חָכָם יַשְׂכִּיל פִּיהוּ וְעַל-שְׂפָתָיו יֹסִיף לֶֽקַח׃

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Malachi 2:6

תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת הָיְתָה בְּפִיהוּ וְעַוְלָה לֹא-נִמְצָא בִשְׂפָתָיו בְּשָׁלוֹם וּבְמִישׁוֹר הָלַךְ אִתִּי וְרַבִּים הֵשִׁיב מֵעָוֺֽן׃

The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn away many from iniquity.

Song of Solomon 4:11