Proverbs 4 · Verse 3

Proverbs 4:3

For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
Proverbs 4:3, King James Version

Proverbs 4:3 in other translations

BSBWhen I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,
WEBFor I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
ASVFor I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
YLTFor, a son I have been to my father--tender, And an only one before my mother.
DARBYFor I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.
BBEFor I was a son to my father, a gentle and an only one to my mother.
WebsterFor I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

What does Proverbs 4:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. father's son--emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by only beloved--or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13

We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 4:1-13 →

Proverbs 4:3 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.

כִּי\־ki-ifH3588
בֵ֭ןvena sonH1121
הָיִ֣יתִיha.Yi.tiI wasH1961
לְאָבִ֑יle.'a.Viof father myH1
רַ֥ךְrakhtenderH7390
וְ֝יָחִ֗ידve.ya.Chidand only [child]H3173
לִפְנֵ֥יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440
אִמִּֽי\׃'i.Mimother myH517

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 4:3

  • 1 Chronicles 22:5

    And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

  • Romans 12:16

    Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:1

    Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.

  • Zechariah 12:10

    And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:5

    And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath–shua the daughter of Ammiel:

  • Jeremiah 10:23

    O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

  • 2 Samuel 12:24-25

    And David comforted Bath–sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

  • 1 Kings 1:13-17

    Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. And Bath–sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. And Bath–sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 12:24,25; 1Ki 1:13-17; 1Ch 3:5; 22:5; 29:1; Jer 10:23; Ro 12:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 4:2

    For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

  • Proverbs 4:3

    For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

  • Proverbs 4:4

    He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Read all of Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque yo fuí hijo de mi padre, delicado y único delante de mi madre.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car j’ai été un fils pour mon père, tendre et unique auprès de ma mère.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ein Sohn bin ich meinem Vater gewesen, ein zarter und einziger vor meiner Mutter.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nam et ego filius fui patris mei, tenellus et unigenitus coram matre mea.