Back to Today
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Permalink Verse page
Interpretation

Proverbs 3:5-6 shows a trust that takes shape in daily practice—listen for "trust" and "yahweh". Practice trust when pressure tempts shortcuts—make holiness concrete. Wisdom & Worship connects here: Poetry and wisdom teach reverent, honest life before God—through praise, lament, and reflection.

Context

In Proverbs (Poetry/Wisdom), highlighting trust. Within ch. 3, a small unit frames the emphasis. It edges toward wisdom & worship. Watch the terms “trust” and “yahweh”.

Authorship & Historical Background

Early sources associate Proverbs with Solomon & sages. Many scholars judge Proverbs as follows: Anthology shaped through successive compilations.. Scholars commonly date Proverbs Monarchic into post‑exilic eras.. Wisdom & Worship is especially relevant in this line. Short sayings train long faithfulness.

More details
Traditional:Solomon & sages
Modern scholarship:Wisdom anthology compiled in stages.
Date:Monarchic to post‑exilic.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Hebrew Masoretic Text is well–preserved. The Septuagint (3rd century BCE) translates 'acknowledge him' as 'glorify him.' The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments of Proverbs (4QProva, 4QProvb) but not this specific passage. The verb 'yashar' (make straight) appears in all Hebrew manuscripts. Syriac and Aramaic Targums support the Masoretic reading. The passage shows remarkable consistency across 2,500 years of transmission.
Sources & witness notes
MT4QProva