Sharper Iron on KFUO recently started going through Proverbs. This reminded me that back in March, when the Daily Dose of Hebrew was going through Proverbs 1, I found a connection between verses 8-9 and Deuteronomy 6.
First, here are the texts. Proverbs 1:8-9: "8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck."
Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "4 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.'"
Dr. Howell - the host of the Daily Dose of Hebrew - notes the similarity between "Hear, my son..." in Proverbs 1:8 and "Hear, O Israel..." in Deuteronomy 6:4, but this similarity can be taken a bit further. In the same way that the "words that I command you today" will be "a sign on your hand" and "frontlets between your eyes," the "father's instruction" and "mother's teaching" are "a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck." I don't think there are any similarities in the specific Hebrew words used, but in both passages (Proverbs 1:8-9 and Deuteronomy 6:8), the words of wisdom are worn, almost as adornments.
The study notes in my Bible also point to Proverbs 3:3: "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart." Reading a bit further, I noticed Proverbs 3:21-22: "My son, do not lose sight of these - keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck."
