My son, give me your heart
This phrase reflects the intimate and personal relationship between a father and son, often used in Proverbs to convey wisdom from a parental figure to a child. The heart in biblical terms is the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. The call to "give me your heart" suggests a complete and voluntary surrender of one's inner self to wisdom and, by extension, to God. This aligns with Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. The heart's surrender is foundational in the biblical narrative, as seen in the call to love and obey God wholeheartedly.

and let your eyes delight in my ways
The eyes are often symbolic of one's focus and desires. To "delight in my ways" implies finding joy and satisfaction in the path of wisdom and righteousness. This phrase suggests an active engagement and pleasure in following the teachings and commandments laid out by the father figure, which can be seen as a metaphor for God's ways. Psalm 119:105 describes God's word as a lamp to one's feet and a light to one's path, emphasizing the guidance and clarity that comes from following divine wisdom. The delight in God's ways is a recurring theme in Scripture, encouraging believers to find joy in obedience and the pursuit of holiness.

1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. The Father
In this verse, the speaker is often understood as a father figure, possibly Solomon himself, who is imparting wisdom to his son. This can also be seen as God speaking to His children.

3. The Son
Represents the recipient of wisdom, often seen as a young person or a disciple who is learning and growing in understanding.

4. The Heart
In Hebrew culture, the heart ("lev") is the center of one's inner life, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect.

5. The Ways
Refers to the paths or lifestyle that align with wisdom and righteousness, which are pleasing to God.Wholehearted Devotion
The call to "give me your heart" emphasizes the importance of complete and undivided devotion to God. It is a call to prioritize God above all else in our lives.

Delighting in God's Ways
To "let your eyes delight in my ways" suggests finding joy and satisfaction in living according to God's wisdom and commandments. It is about aligning our desires with God's will.

The Heart as the Center
Understanding that the heart is the center of our being, we must guard it and ensure it is aligned with God's purposes. This involves regular self-examination and repentance.

The Role of Discipline
Proverbs often speaks of discipline as a means to wisdom. Giving our heart to God involves submitting to His discipline and guidance.

Intergenerational Wisdom
The father-son dynamic in Proverbs highlights the importance of passing down wisdom and values from one generation to the next, emphasizing the role of mentorship and discipleship.(26) My son, give me thine heart.--For that is the one gift alone worthy of acceptance which man can offer to God, and the only one which God will accept; an offering which man endeavours to keep for himself, substituting for it alms, unreal prayers, outward observances of religion, and obedience in matters of little moment. (Comp. Matthew 22:37.)

Verses 26-28. - A hexastich, in which Wisdom herself is the speaker, and warns against unchastity. Verse 26. - Give me thine heart. Do not waste thy powers and affections on evil objects, but set thy soul with all its best faculties on me, Wisdom, who alone can satisfy its desires and aspirations. There is an eloquent passage in a tract that has gone by St. Bernard's name, though not written by him ('Epist. de Reg. Vitae Spirit.,' 2:1604, Mab.), which is worth quoting: "Cor nostrum nihil dignius perficere potest, quam ut ei se restituat a quo factum est: et hoc a nobis Dominus expetit dicens, 'Fili, da mihi cor tuum.' Tunc siquidem cor hominum Deo datur, quando omnia cogitatio terminatur in eum, gyrat et circumflectitur super eum, et nihil vult possidere praeter eum. Sicque colligato sibi animo, eum diligit, ut sine ipso amarus sit omnis amor. Nec aliud dixerim cor Domino dare, quam ipsum captivare in omni obsequium ejus, et ita voluntati ejus ex toto supponere, ut nihil aliud velit, quam quod noverit eum velle." Let thine eyes observe my ways; keep closely to the paths of virtue which I teach thee, especially the path of purity, as the next verse shows. Vulgate, Vias meas custodiant; Septuagint, Ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς πήρειτωσαν. This is the reading of the Keri, תִּלֺצרְנָה; the Khetib, which Delitzsch and others prefer, reads תִּרְצֶנָה, "delight in" my ways.

Parallel Commentaries ...


My son,
בְנִ֣י (ḇə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

give
תְּנָֽה־ (tə·nāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me your heart,
לִבְּךָ֣ (lib·bə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

and let your eyes
וְ֝עֵינֶ֗יךָ (wə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

delight
תִּצֹּֽרְנָה׃‪‬ (tiṣ·ṣō·rə·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 7521: To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt

in my ways.
דְּרָכַ֥י (də·rā·ḵay)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:26 My son give me your heart (Prov. Pro Pr)