New International VersionListen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
New Living TranslationMy children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,
English Standard VersionHear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
Berean Standard BibleListen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
King James BibleHear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
New King James VersionHear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;
New American Standard BibleListen, my sons, to the instruction of a father, And pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
NASB 1995Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,
NASB 1977Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,
Legacy Standard BibleHear, O sons, the discipline of a father, And pay attention that you may know understanding,
Amplified BibleHear, O children, the instruction of a father, And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.
Christian Standard BibleListen, sons, to a father’s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
Holman Christian Standard BibleListen, my sons, to a father’s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
American Standard VersionHear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:
Contemporary English VersionMy child, listen closely to my teachings and learn common sense.
English Revised VersionHear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSons, listen to [your] father's discipline, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
Good News TranslationMy children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding.
International Standard VersionListen, children, to your father's instruction, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
NET BibleListen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.
New Heart English BibleListen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
Webster's Bible TranslationHear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleListen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
World English BibleListen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHear, you sons, the instruction of a father, "" And give attention to know understanding.
Young's Literal Translation Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
Smith's Literal TranslationHear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend that you may know prudence.
Catholic Public Domain VersionListen, sons, to the discipline of a father, and pay attention, so that you may know prudence.
New American BibleHear, O children, a father’s instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding!
New Revised Standard VersionListen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHEAR, O my children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to knowledge and understanding.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedHear, children, the instruction of a father, and listen to knowledge and understanding. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationHear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context A Father's Instruction1Listen,my sons,to a father’sinstruction;pay attentionand gainunderstanding.2For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.…
Cross References Proverbs 1:8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
Proverbs 6:20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Ephesians 6:1-3Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Colossians 3:20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Proverbs 3:1-2My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
Exodus 20:12Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Proverbs 13:1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 15:5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
Hebrews 12:9Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
Proverbs 23:22Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 19:20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
1 Timothy 5:4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 1:2-4for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, / and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity. / To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,
Treasury of Scripture Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. attend Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; … Proverbs 5:1 My son, attend unto my wisdom,and bow thine ear to my understanding: Proverbs 7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thouart my sister; and call understandingthy kinswoman: Jump to Previous AttendAttentionAttentiveChildrenEarFather'sGainHearInsightInstructionIntelligencePayTeachingUnderstandingJump to Next AttendAttentionAttentiveChildrenEarFather'sGainHearInsightInstructionIntelligencePayTeachingUnderstandingProverbs 4 1.persuades to wisdom14.and to show wickedness20.He exhorts to sanctificationListen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;This phrase emphasizes the importance of heeding wisdom passed down from a father figure, which in the biblical context often represents God or a wise leader. The term "sons" can be understood as both literal children and spiritual descendants, indicating a broader audience. In ancient Israel, the family was the primary unit of education, and fathers were responsible for teaching their children the ways of the Lord ( Deuteronomy 6:6-7). This instruction is not merely practical advice but is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The call to "listen" echoes the Shema ( Deuteronomy 6:4), a central declaration of faith in Judaism, underscoring the importance of attentive obedience to divine wisdom. pay attention and gain understanding.
The call to "pay attention" suggests an active engagement with the teachings being offered. Understanding in the biblical sense goes beyond intellectual knowledge; it involves a deep comprehension that leads to righteous living. Proverbs often contrasts wisdom and folly, urging the reader to pursue the former as a path to life and blessing (Proverbs 3:13-18). The pursuit of understanding is a recurring theme in Scripture, with wisdom personified as calling out to those who will listen (Proverbs 8:1-11). This pursuit is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24), inviting believers to find true understanding in Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He is addressing his sons, imparting wisdom and guidance. 2. SonsThe direct audience of this proverb, representing not only Solomon's literal sons but also the broader audience of young men and future generations seeking wisdom. 3. FatherSymbolic of a wise and authoritative figure, often representing God as the ultimate Father who imparts wisdom to His children. Teaching Points The Importance of ListeningListening is the first step in gaining wisdom. Just as Solomon urges his sons to listen, we must be attentive to God's Word and the godly counsel of others. Value of Parental GuidanceParents are entrusted with the responsibility to guide their children in wisdom. This verse underscores the importance of heeding parental advice, especially when it aligns with biblical principles. Pursuit of UnderstandingUnderstanding is more than knowledge; it is the ability to apply wisdom in daily life. We should strive to not only hear but also comprehend and implement the teachings of Scripture. Role of Spiritual FathersBeyond biological parents, spiritual mentors and leaders play a crucial role in imparting wisdom. Seek out and value the guidance of those who walk closely with God. God as the Ultimate FatherWhile earthly fathers provide guidance, God is our ultimate Father who offers perfect wisdom and understanding. We should seek His instruction through prayer and Scripture. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 4
Does the call to heed a father’s instruction in Proverbs 4:1 ignore the possibility of flawed or harmful parental guidance?
What does 'spare the rod, spoil the child' mean?
What are common questions about proverbs?
Should you always obey your parents?IV.(g) Seventh Discourse:--Recollections of his Father's Instructions(Proverbs 4:1 toProverbs 5:6). (1)A father.--That is, of me, your teacher. Verses 1-27. - 7. Seventh admonitory discourse. We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24. This group extends to the end of ch. 7. Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject worthy of all earnest endeavour and sacrifice, but it is noticeable that the teacher introduces a fresh feature into his teaching or mode of instruction, in order to procure attention to, and acceptance of, his precepts on the part of his hearers. He has already spoken in his own name and with his own authority; he has brought forward Wisdom personified as making her appeal; he now adduces the authority of his own father's advice to himself. But as the mode of emphasizing his admonitions varies, so Wisdom is many-sided, and the aspect under which she is now presented seems to be especially that of discipline and obedience. The keynote of the discourse seems to be struck in the word "instruction," i.e. discipline, in the original, musar, thus recalling the admonition in Proverbs 1:8, "My son, hear the instruction of thy father." Bohlius, in his 'Ethica Sacra,' disp. 6. p. 65, sqq., assigns "discipline" ( musar) to this chapter; and Melancthon describes the admonitions of the chapter before us as "adhortationes ad studium obedientiae." Discipline rising into obedience seems to be the predominant thought to which all others are made subordinate. The discourse is an enlargement or amplification of this aspect of Wisdom. In structure the discourse consists mainly of the father's advice (vers. 4-19), preceded and followed by the teacher's own admonitions in vers. 1-3 and 20-27. The chief topics touched upon are (1) the supreme importance of Wisdom as being "the principal thing" to be obtained before everything else (vers. 7-9); (2) the two ways that lie open to the choice of youth, distinguished respectively as the way of light and the way of darkness (vers. 14-19); and (3) the guarding of the heart with all diligence, as being the seat of conscience and the fountain of life in its moral sense (vers. 23-27). The first part of the discourse is characterized by exhortations accompanied by promises; the latter part takes the form of warning, and warning of an alarming nature. The harmony which exists between the allusions in the discourse and the facts recorded in the historical books of Samuel and Chronicles serves to indicate that we have before us, in substance at least, the advice which David gave to Solomon, and that the discourse is Solomonic. Compare especially ver. 3 with1 Chronicles 28:5 and 1 Chron 22:9, and ver. 18 with the last words of David in2 Samuel 23:4.Verse 1. -Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father. This exhortation is identical with that inProverbs 1:8, except that the address, "ye children," indicating a new departure, is now used instead of "my son," which has been hitherto employed (seeProverbs 1:8;Proverbs 2:1;Proverbs 3:1, 21), and "of thy father" is altered to "of a father." The verb is the same, occurring here, of course, in the plural number. The appeal is evidently intended to rouse attention. Attention is especially necessary to secure a knowledge of Divine truth.Ye children (bhanim). This address occurs again twice in the second group of admonitory discourses - inProverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24, and also in the appeal of Wisdom personified inProverbs 8:32, and, with these exceptions, nowhere else in the Proverbs. It is used by David, and it is possible that when the teacher penned these words he had in mindPsalm 34:11, "Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." The similarity in the address serves to connect the teacher of wisdom with David, and thus to identify him with Solomon, while it also leads to the conclusion that the advice which follows in vers. 4-19 is in substance that which David had given his son. On "instruction," see ch. 1:8.Of a father (av). It is difficult, owing to the want of the pronominal suffix, to determine accurately whether the teacher is referring to himself or to his own father in the expression. The following verse . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Listen,שִׁמְע֣וּ(šim·‘ū)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlymy sons,בָ֭נִים(ḇā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A sonto the instructionמ֣וּסַר(mū·sar)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4148:Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraintof a father;אָ֑ב(’āḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1:Fatherpay attentionוְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ(wə·haq·šî·ḇū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7181:To prick up the ears, hearkenand gainלָדַ֥עַת(lā·ḏa·‘aṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3045:To knowunderstanding.בִּינָֽה׃(bî·nāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 998:An understanding
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:1 Listen sons to a father's instruction (Prov. Pro Pr) |
