Proverbs 4:1
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Proverbs 4:1 in other translations
| BSB | Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. |
|---|---|
| WEB | Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; |
| ASV | Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding: |
| YLT | Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding. |
| DARBY | Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence; |
| BBE | Give ear, my sons, to the teaching of a father; give attention so that you may have knowledge: |
| Webster | Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. |
What does Proverbs 4:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:1-2
Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.
1-2. (Compare Pr 1:8). to know--in order to know. doctrine--the matter of learning (Pr 1:5), such as he had received (La 3:1).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The preceptor calls his pupils, and tells them how himself was educated, Pro 4:1-4; specifies the teachings he received, Pro 4:5-19; and exhorts his pupil to persevere in well-doing, and to avoid evil, Pro 4:20-27. Verse 1 Hear, ye children - Come, my pupils, and hear how a father instructed his child. Such as I received from my father I give to you, and they were the teachings of a wise and affectionate parent to his only son, a peculiar object of his regards, and also those of a fond mother. He introduces the subject thus, to show that the teaching he received, and which he was about to give them, was the most excellent of its kind. By this he ensured their attention, and made his way to their heart. Teaching by precept is good; teaching by example is better; but teaching both by precept and example is best of all.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Proverbs 4:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Proverbs 4:1
- Hebrews 2:1
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
- Psalms 34:11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
- Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
- Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; …
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
- Proverbs 5:1
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
- Proverbs 19:20
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
- Proverbs 22:17
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
- Proverbs 7:4
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
- Proverbs 8:32-36
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. …
- Proverbs 6:20-23
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Proverbs 4:1
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
- Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Proverbs 4:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | OID, hijos, la doctrina de un padre, y estad atentos para que conozcáis cordura. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Fils, écoutez l’instruction d’un père et soyez attentifs pour connaître l’intelligence; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Höret, Söhne, die Unterweisung des Vaters, und merket auf, um Verstand zu kennen! |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Audite, filii, disciplinam patris, et attendite ut sciatis prudentiam. |