What Does Proverbs 2:11 Mean in the King James?
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse makes discernment a guard: foresight watches your way, and understanding keeps you from being unguarded.
THE MEANING
Wise foresight is already at work as protection, watching what is taking shape around you. Understanding guards you too, so insight does more than name a danger; it helps keep your way from being open to it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that understanding is passive, that it can identify a threat but has no part in protecting you.
THE ROOT
תִּשְׁמֹר
tishmor
GROWS FROM
שׁמר
shamar
To keep watch over, guard, or preserve.
“preserve” in this verse is tishmor. This root ties preservation to watchfulness: discretion is pictured as standing guard, not merely giving advice. The verse treats wise foresight as part of the protection over your way.
ALSO GROWS
shomer: A keeper or watchman.
שֹׁמֵר
The same root names the one who stays alert, showing the watchful quality within preservation.
mishmeret: A guard, watch, or charge.
מִשְׁמֶרֶת
This branch makes preservation a continuing watch, like the care that keeps a path protected.
תִּנְצְרֶכָּה
tintzrekha
GROWS FROM
נצר
natsar
To guard, watch, or preserve.
“keep” in this verse is tintzrekha. A second, distinct guard verb answers the first: understanding does not only recognize what matters; it keeps watch over you. Together, the two verbs make wisdom’s protection active and sustained.
ALSO GROWS
netsor: Guard or keep.
נְצֹר
This command form uses the same root for guarding something entrusted to your care.
notser: One who guards or keeps watch.
נֹצֵר
The root also describes a guardian, reinforcing the verse’s image of understanding as protection.
THE PATTERN
What protects a person can take the form of an inner watch over the way, heart, and mind.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.THE THREAD
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.Proverbs 2:11 pairs שׁמר (shamar, to keep watch) with נצר (natsar, to guard), and Proverbs 4:6 uses both roots again for wisdom’s care. The repeated pairing reveals wisdom as active protection: it watches your way and keeps you within its care.
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