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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/20_Pro_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 4:1 - A Father's Instruction" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/4-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/3-35.htm" title="Proverbs 3:35">◄</a> Proverbs 4:1 <a href="/proverbs/4-2.htm" title="Proverbs 4:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father&#8217s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Hear, <i>my</i> children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen, <i>my</i> sons, to the instruction of a father, And pay attention so that you may gain understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Hear, <i>O</i> sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Hear, <i>O</i> sons, the discipline of a father, And pay attention that you may know understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding <i>and</i> intelligent discernment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father&#8217s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My child, listen closely to my teachings and learn common sense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Sons, listen to [your] father's discipline, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Listen, children, to your father's instruction, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, "" And give attention to know understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend that you may know prudence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Listen, sons, to the discipline of a father, and pay attention, so that you may know prudence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Hear, O children, a father’s instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />HEAR, O my children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to knowledge and understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Hear, children, the instruction of a father, and listen to knowledge and understanding.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/4-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=575" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">A Father's Instruction</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">Listen,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">my sons,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’āḇ (N-ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">to a father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4148.htm" title="4148: mū·sar (N-msc) -- Discipline, chastening, correction. From yacar; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint.">instruction;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7181.htm" title="7181: wə·haq·šî·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To incline (ears), attend. A primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e. Hearken.">pay attention</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: lā·ḏa·‘aṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">and gain</a> <a href="/hebrew/998.htm" title="998: bî·nāh (N-fs) -- An understanding. From biyn; understanding.">understanding.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8</a></span><br />Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">Proverbs 6:20</a></span><br />My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-3</a></span><br />Children, 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-7</a></span><br />These 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-20.htm">Colossians 3:20</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">Proverbs 3:1-2</a></span><br />My 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a></span><br />Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-1.htm">Proverbs 13:1</a></span><br />A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-5.htm">Proverbs 15:5</a></span><br />A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9</a></span><br />Furthermore, 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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-22.htm">Proverbs 23:22</a></span><br />Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-20.htm">Proverbs 19:20</a></span><br />Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-4.htm">1 Timothy 5:4</a></span><br />But 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Proverbs 22:6</a></span><br />Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-2.htm">Proverbs 1:2-4</a></span><br />for 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,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.</p><p class="hdg">attend</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1-5</a></b></br> My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-1.htm">Proverbs 5:1</a></b></br> My son, attend unto my wisdom, <i>and</i> bow thine ear to my understanding:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-4.htm">Proverbs 7:4</a></b></br> Say unto wisdom, Thou <i>art</i> my sister; and call understanding <i>thy</i> kinswoman:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/2-2.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-2.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-2.htm">Attentive</a> <a href="/psalms/149-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-6.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-14.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Insight</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-11.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/psalms/116-18.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-11.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-19.htm">Understanding</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">Attentive</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-10.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-3.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-10.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-5.htm">Insight</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-2.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-5.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-2.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-5.htm">Understanding</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">persuades to wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">and to show wickedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">He exhorts to sanctification</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Listen</b><br />The Hebrew word for "listen" is "שְׁמַע" (shema), which carries a deeper meaning than merely hearing. It implies an active, attentive listening that leads to obedience. In the Jewish tradition, the "Shema" is a central declaration of faith, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's commandments. This word sets the tone for the verse, urging the reader to not only hear but to internalize and act upon the wisdom being imparted.<p><b>my sons</b><br />The phrase "my sons" reflects a familial and intimate relationship. In the Hebrew culture, wisdom literature often uses the father-son dynamic to convey teachings. This relationship underscores the responsibility of the father to impart wisdom and the duty of the sons to receive it. It also symbolizes the broader spiritual relationship between God and His children, where believers are encouraged to view themselves as sons and daughters of the divine, open to His guidance.<p><b>to a father’s instruction</b><br />The word "instruction" in Hebrew is "מוּסָר" (musar), which can also mean discipline or correction. This term suggests that the father's guidance is not merely informational but transformative, aimed at shaping character and behavior. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a father's instruction was considered vital for the moral and spiritual development of the child, reflecting the divine instruction that God provides to His people.<p><b>pay attention</b><br />The call to "pay attention" is a plea for focus and concentration. The Hebrew root "קָשַׁב" (qashab) implies an intentional effort to understand and apply what is being taught. This phrase highlights the active role of the listener in the learning process, emphasizing that wisdom requires deliberate engagement and mindfulness.<p><b>and gain understanding</b><br />The Hebrew word for "understanding" is "בִּינָה" (binah), which denotes insight and discernment. It is not just about acquiring knowledge but about developing the ability to apply that knowledge wisely in various life situations. In the biblical context, understanding is often linked with the fear of the Lord, suggesting that true insight comes from a relationship with God and a reverence for His ways.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">IV.</span><p>(g)<span class= "ital"> Seventh Discourse:--Recollections of his Father's Instructions </span>(<a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm" title="Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.">Proverbs 4:1</a> to <a href="/proverbs/5-6.htm" title="Lest you should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that you can not know them.">Proverbs 5:6</a>).<p>(1) <span class= "bld">A father.</span>--That is, of me, your teacher.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-27.</span> - 7. <span class="accented">Seventh admonitory discourse.</span> We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in <a href="/proverbs/5-7.htm">Proverbs 5:7</a> 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," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> discipline, in the original, <span class="accented">musar</span>, thus recalling the admonition in <a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8</a>, "My son, hear the instruction of thy father." Bohlius, in his 'Ethica Sacra,' disp. 6. p. 65, <span class="accented">sqq.</span>, assigns "discipline" (<span class="accented">musar</span>) 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 <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> the supreme importance of Wisdom as being "the principal thing" to be obtained before everything else (vers. 7-9); <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> 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 <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> 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 with <a href="/1_chronicles/28-5.htm">1 Chronicles 28:5</a> and 1 Chron 22:9, and ver. 18 with the last words of David in <a href="/2_samuel/23-4.htm">2 Samuel 23:4</a>. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father.</span> This exhortation is identical with that in <a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8</a>, except that the address, "ye children," indicating a new departure, is now used instead of "my son," which has been hitherto employed (see <a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8</a>; <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1</a>; <a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">Proverbs 3:1, 21</a>), 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. <span class="accented">Ye children</span> (<span class="accented">bhanim</span>). This address occurs again twice in the second group of admonitory discourses - in <a href="/proverbs/5-7.htm">Proverbs 5:7</a> and Proverbs 7:24, and also in the appeal of Wisdom personified in <a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm">Proverbs 8:32</a>, 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 mind <a href="/psalms/34-11.htm">Psalm 34:11</a>, "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. <span class="accented">Of a father</span> (<span class="accented">av</span>). 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 . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Listen,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁמְע֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šim·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my sons,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָ֭נִים</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the instruction</span><br /><span class="heb">מ֣וּסַר</span> <span class="translit">(mū·sar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4148.htm">Strong's 4148: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a father;</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(’āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pay attention</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haq·šî·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7181.htm">Strong's 7181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To prick up the ears, hearken</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and gain</span><br /><span class="heb">לָדַ֥עַת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḏa·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understanding.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּינָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(bî·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_998.htm">Strong's 998: </a> </span><span class="str2">An understanding</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:1 Listen sons to a father's instruction (Prov. 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