41 The figures used here are hypocatastases (implied comparisons). There may also be an allusion to Deut 6 where the people were told to bind the law on their foreheads and arms. The point here is that the disciple will never be without these instructions. See further, P. W. Skehan, Studies in Israelite Poetry and Wisdom (), 1–8.
42 The verbal form is the Hitpael infinitive construct with a preposition and a suffixed subjective genitive to form a temporal clause. The term הָלַךְ (halakh) in this verbal stem means “to go about; to go to and fro.” The use of these terms in v. 22 also alludes to Deut 6:7.
43 Heb “it will guide you.” The verb is singular and the instruction is the subject.
44 In both of the preceding cola an infinitive construct was used for the temporal clauses; now the construction uses a perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive. The verb would then be equivalent to an imperfect tense, but subordinated as a temporal clause here.
45 The Hebrew verb means “talk” in the sense of “to muse; to complain; to meditate”; cf. , “advise you.” Instruction bound to the heart will speak to the disciple on awaking.
46 Heb “the commandment” (so , , ).
47 The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
48 The terms “lamp,” “light,” and “way” are all metaphors. The positive teachings and commandments will illumine or reveal to the disciple the way to life; the disciplinary correctives will provide guidance into fullness of life.
49 The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
50 Heb “the way of life” (so , , ); , “the way to life.” The noun “life” is a genitive following the construct “way.” It could be an attributive genitive modifying the kind of way/course of life that instruction provides, but it could also be objective in that the course of life followed would produce and lead to life.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

My son, keep your father’s commandment,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching.

Bind them on your heart always;

tie them around your neck.

When you walk, they will lead you;

when you lie down, they will watch over you;

and when you awake, they will talk with you.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,

and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

My son, keep your father’s command

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Bind them always on your heart;

fasten them around your neck.

When you walk, they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you.

For this command is a lamp,

this teaching is a light,

and correction and instruction

are the way to life,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

My son, keep your father’s command,

and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.

Always bind them to your heart;

tie them around your neck.

When you walk here and there, they will guide you;

when you lie down, they will watch over you;

when you wake up, they will talk to you.

For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,

and corrective discipline is the way to life.

NLTNew Living Translation

My son, obey your father’s commands,

and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

Keep their words always in your heart.

Tie them around your neck.

When you walk, their counsel will lead you.

When you sleep, they will protect you.

When you wake up, they will advise you.

For their command is a lamp

and their instruction a light;

their corrective discipline

is the way to life.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

My child, keep the commandment of your father,

and do not disregard the instruction of your mother.

Bind them on your heart continually;

tie them upon your neck.

When you walk, she will lead you,

When you lie down, she will watch over you,

and when you awake, she will converse with you.

For like a lamp is a commandment, and instruction is light,

and the way of life is the reproof of discipline,

KJV 1900King James Version

My son, keep thy father’s commandment,

And forsake not the law of thy mother:

Bind them continually upon thine heart,

And tie them about thy neck.

When thou goest, it shall lead thee;

When thou sleepest, it shall keep thee;

And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;

And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Public Domain