Pro 6:22 | NET2full | STEP | When you walk about , they will guide you; when you lie down , they will watch over you; when you wake up , they will talk to you.

‏ Proverbs 6:22

22 When you walk about, ^{▼▼tn 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.} they ^{▼▼tn Heb “it will guide you.” The verb is singular and the instruction is the subject.} will guide you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
when you wake up, ^{▼▼tn Heb “Then you will wake up. It (the instruction) will talk to you.” 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 “wake up” is consecutive to “lie down [to sleep].” But it is also the circumstance for the following verb “will talk,” so it is has been subordinated here as a temporal clause.} they will talk ^{▼▼sn The meaning of the verb שִׂיחַ (siakh) has been understood variously as meditating, considering, whispering, or talking (in praise or complaint); cf. TEV, NLT “advise you.” The picture here is that the person has been so dedicated to the instruction that it is the first thing that comes to mind upon waking. The words of instruction “bound on the mind/heart” in 6:21 become, in today’s terminology, the words of one’s self-talk.} to you.