Proverbs 1:8 kjv

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

Proverbs 1:8 nkjv

My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;

Proverbs 1:8 niv

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 1:8 esv

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Proverbs 1:8 nlt

My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don't neglect your mother's instruction.

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 8 Meaning

Proverbs 1:8 is an imperative instruction from a parental figure, often a father, to a child, typically a son. It calls for diligent attention and adherence to the wisdom and guidance passed down by both parents. It highlights the foundational importance of intergenerational transfer of moral and spiritual instruction for the development of character and a righteous life.

Proverbs 1 8 Context

Proverbs 1:8 opens the main collection of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 1-9), often termed the "father's address" or "fatherly discourse." It immediately follows the programmatic prologue (Prv 1:1-7), which establishes the purpose of the entire book: to impart wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, and the knowledge of the fear of the Lord. Thus, verse 8 serves as the initial, direct appeal to the reader (often depicted as a "son") to embrace the wisdom that follows, rooting it firmly within the context of a filial and pedagogical relationship. Historically and culturally, ancient Israel placed high value on oral instruction and the intergenerational transfer of ethical and religious knowledge within the family unit. Parents were the primary educators, responsible for instilling God's commands and moral principles, implicitly contrasting with a broader world that might entice one towards folly or evil.

Proverbs 1 8 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - sh'ma):
  • Significance: More than just "to listen audibly"; it encompasses "to pay attention, to understand, to heed, to obey, to respond." This foundational Hebrew concept implies a responsive act of obedience rather than mere reception of sound.
  • Connection: It evokes the "Shema" of Dt 6:4, "Hear, O Israel," calling for absolute attention and commitment to God's commands, applied here to parental instruction.
• my son (בְּנִי - bĕnī):
  • Significance: A common address throughout Proverbs. It signifies a beloved disciple or protégé rather than exclusively a biological offspring. It establishes an intimate, authoritative, and caring pedagogical relationship, emphasizing guidance and spiritual formation.
• your father's instruction (מוּסַר אָבִיךָ - musar avikha):
  • instruction (מוּסַר - musar): This is a rich term meaning "discipline, moral correction, admonition, training, chiding." It goes beyond mere advice to denote authoritative training that may include rebuke or reproof aimed at character formation.
  • father's (אָבִיךָ - avikha): Points to the paternal source of wisdom, emphasizing the authority and role of the father as the primary educator in the household and spiritual leader.
• and forsake not (וְאַל־תִּטֹּשׁ - vĕ'al-titṭoš):
  • Significance: A strong negative command, indicating that abandoning parental teaching is a grave and dangerous act. "Forsake" implies desertion, abandonment, or rejection, highlighting the permanent damage that comes from turning away.
• your mother's teaching (וְתוֹרַת אִמֶּךָ - vĕṯoraṯ 'immeka):
  • teaching (תּוֹרַת - toraṯ): Related to "Torah," meaning "instruction, law, direction, guidance." While "Torah" often refers to the Mosaic Law, here it signifies the specific and practical moral and religious guidance offered by the mother.
  • mother's (אִמֶּךָ - 'immeka): Critically important. The explicit mention of the mother's role alongside the father's is distinctive in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature and underscores her equally vital part in educating and shaping the child, ensuring a balanced, comprehensive formation. It indicates the unified and consistent parental voice in guiding the child.

Words-group analysis:

• "Hear, my son, your father's instruction": This phrase sets the stage for the core message of Proverbs. It's an authoritative, personal invitation to accept discipline and wisdom. The call to "hear" (sh'ma) implies deep attention, acceptance, and action.
• "and forsake not your mother's teaching": The parallelism emphasizes the shared, united authority and complementary roles of both parents in the child's moral and spiritual development. To "forsake" is a severe act of rejection, implying grave consequences. This unit establishes a critical partnership in wisdom transmission. The instruction from both parents is crucial and must be held onto.

Proverbs 1 8 Bonus section

The specific address "my son" throughout Proverbs 1-9 suggests not only a biological relationship but also a mentor-disciple relationship, broadening the applicability of the wisdom to any individual who desires to walk in the fear of the Lord. The unified voice of the parents (musar avikha and torat immeka) represents a consistent and comprehensive source of guidance that reflects divine order. It implies that true wisdom is not a solitary pursuit but is deeply embedded in the context of intergenerational transmission and communal tradition within the family unit, which in ancient Israel was inherently tied to covenantal living. This initial exhortation establishes the premise that humility and openness to parental discipline are prerequisites for receiving the broader wisdom principles outlined in the subsequent chapters, portraying parental instruction as an initial facet of God's broader, divine wisdom.

Proverbs 1 8 Commentary

Proverbs 1:8 is foundational to the wisdom tradition, framing the entire book as an address from discerning parents to their receptive child. It underlines the essential role of the family in spiritual and moral formation, stressing that true wisdom begins at home. The imperative "Hear" and the warning "forsake not" underscore the active and enduring commitment required from the recipient. This isn't passive learning but an obedient embrace of established truths. The equal mention of mother and father's roles is profound, highlighting a balanced, united parental front crucial for imparting God-fearing principles. Disregarding such instruction leads to folly and peril, whereas heeding it forms the very bedrock of a well-ordered, righteous life, pleasing to God. The verse is an early call to submit to the divinely ordained channels of instruction.

• Example for practical usage: A youth facing peer pressure to compromise on integrity should recall their parents' "instruction" to walk in honesty, choosing to "hear" and "not forsake" those foundational teachings rather than the transient demands of peers.
• Example for practical usage: A young adult making significant life choices (career, relationships) should intentionally seek out and value the seasoned "instruction" and "teaching" from their faithful parents, discerning the wisdom rooted in their lived experience and commitment to God's Word.