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Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, andthat, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: …

despise

Proverbs 30:11
There is a generationthat curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

Leviticus 19:3
Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: Iam the LORD your God.

Matthew 15:4-6
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death…

and do not despise your mother when she is old
This part of the verse highlights the enduring respect and care that should be afforded to one's mother, especially as she ages. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the family unit was central, and caring for elderly parents was a fundamental duty. The term "despise" indicates a warning against neglect or contempt, which can arise as parents become more dependent. The Bible consistently upholds the value of honoring one's mother, as seen in passages likeLeviticus 19:3 andEphesians 6:2. The reference to the mother "when she is old" underscores the lifelong nature of this respect, reflecting the biblical principle of caring for the vulnerable and maintaining family integrity. This also prefigures the care Jesus showed for His own mother, Mary, ensuring her well-being even as He was on the cross (John 19:26-27).

“Listen to your father who gave you life…”

• Scripture plainly calls us to an attitude of attentive obedience. “Listen” is more than passively hearing; it is the same heart posture urged inProverbs 1:8–9 andProverbs 4:1–2—an eager, teachable spirit that receives wisdom.

• God places fathers in the home as a primary source of guidance (Ephesians 6:4). When the verse reminds us that a father “gave you life,” it underlines the debt of gratitude owed to the one God used to bring us into the world (cf.Deuteronomy 32:6).

• Honoring a father is not optional or cultural; it is the fifth commandment’s timeless requirement (Deuteronomy 5:16;Ephesians 6:1–3).

• Active listening bears fruit:

– Protection from destructive paths (Proverbs 6:20–23).

– Growth in wisdom that benefits every generation (Proverbs 13:1).

– A life that pleases the Lord, securing His promise of blessing (Colossians 3:20).

“…and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

• “Do not despise” pushes beyond mere external respect. It warns against any attitude—verbal, emotional, or practical—that belittles or neglects a mother.Proverbs 20:20 shows the seriousness: contempt invites darkness over one’s life.

• As mothers age, their physical strength may wane, but their value does not.Leviticus 19:32 commands us to “rise in the presence of the aged,” while1 Timothy 5:3–4 instructs children to repay their parents with tangible care.

• The verse treats a mother’s senior years as a sacred season, rich with hard-earned wisdom (Proverbs 31:26). The faithful child gives honor, support, and affection—mirroring Ruth’s devotion to Naomi (Ruth 1:16–17).

• Practical ways not to despise:

– Speak graciously and listen patiently (James 1:19).

– Provide for her needs—financial, medical, emotional (Mark 7:10–12).

– Defend her dignity publicly and privately (Proverbs 31:28–29).

– Seek her counsel; age deepens discernment (Job 12:12).

Proverbs 23:22 ties the lifelong duty of honoring parents to the fabric of God’s unchanging wisdom. Listening to a father and refusing to belittle an aging mother flow from the same heart attitude: grateful submission to the Lord who designed family order. Those who embrace this command receive protection, wisdom, and blessing, while they reflect the very character of God, who faithfully cares for His children.