Paragraph 23:26–28 Saying 17

This saying begins with a general command: the father urges his son to carefully follow his advice (23:26). This command applies specifically to Saying 17, but it may also introduce Saying 18. In 23:27–28, the father warns his son about the dangers of getting involved with an immoral woman.

23:26

This verse contains parallel commands that are similar in meaning. They refer to inner and outer parts of the body. Together they emphasize that the son should heed his father’s instruction and follow his example.

26a My son, give me your heart

26b and let your eyes delight in my ways,

23:26a

My son: See how you translated this phrase in 23:15.

give me your heart: In Hebrew and in English, this command has a figurative meaning. It indicates here that the son should pay close attention to his father. He should listen to him carefully and heed his advice. Another way to translate this command is:

Pay close attention, son (Good News Translation)

For similar commands that use the word heart, see the note for 23:19b.

23:26b

and let your eyes delight in my ways: There is a textual issue here with the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as delight in. There are two options in the Masoretic Text:

(1) The first option is the verb “observe ” or “keep.” It means that the son should observe and follow his father’s character and conduct. For example:

and let your eyes observe my ways (English Standard Version)

(2) The second option is the verb “delights in.” It means that the son should take pleasure in his father’s character and conduct. For example:

let your eyes take pleasure in my way (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions. The LXX, Vulgate, Syriac, and Targum also follow this option. However, option (2) also has good version and commentary support. If you use footnotes for textual issues, you may want to add a footnote. For example:

Another way to understand the meaning of these words in Hebrew is: “may you delight in my conduct.”

Some other ways to translate the meaning of option (1) are:

and watch closely what I do (New Century Version)
-or-
and let my life be your example (Good News Translation)

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