Proverbs 4:1 kjv

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Proverbs 4:1 nkjv

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;

Proverbs 4:1 niv

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Proverbs 4:1 esv

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

Proverbs 4:1 nlt

My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 1 Meaning

Proverbs 4:1 serves as an imperative call from a paternal figure to his offspring, urging them to diligently heed and actively attend to his instructions. The ultimate goal is for the hearers to gain understanding and discernment, which are essential for living a wise and righteous life. This verse establishes the foundational posture of humility and receptiveness required to receive wisdom.

Proverbs 4 1 Context

Proverbs chapter 4 is part of a larger section (chapters 1-9) known as "The Appeals of Wisdom," often presented as a father's passionate instruction to his son. This particular chapter opens with a renewed plea, emphasizing the value of the instruction to be imparted, rooted in the speaker's own reception of wisdom from his parents. The verses immediately following detail the content of this wisdom—primarily urging the "son" to value and pursue wisdom above all else, seeing it as the "tree of life" and the path to security and well-being, contrasting it sharply with the path of the wicked. Historically, this reflects ancient Israel's strong emphasis on intergenerational transfer of moral and spiritual truth, where the household was the primary academy for shaping character and conduct. The father in this context represents not only a biological parent but also a sage or teacher embodying accumulated wisdom, which ultimately originates from God.

Proverbs 4 1 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - shema):
  • Meaning: More than just passive listening; it denotes attentive hearing, obeying, and giving heed to what is spoken. It implies a readiness to act on the words.
  • Significance: This is a fundamental concept in the Bible, often tied to covenant obedience (e.g., Shema Israel – "Hear, O Israel" in Deut 6:4).
• O children (בָּנִים - banim):
  • Meaning: Literally "sons" or "children" (plural).
  • Significance: While plural here, the subsequent "my son" throughout Proverbs (e.g., 4:20) indicates that it often serves as a general address to the disciple or anyone willing to receive wisdom. It highlights the intergenerational transfer of truth.
• A father’s (אָב - ’av):
  • Meaning: Paternal authority, the source of instruction.
  • Significance: In Proverbs, this also subtly points to God as the ultimate wise Father. The father is presenting a path of life proven true.
• Instruction (מוּסָר - musar):
  • Meaning: Discipline, training, correction, moral instruction, chastisement. It encompasses teaching that might involve correction to mold character.
  • Significance: Musar is crucial for personal development, implying that true wisdom often comes through a process that includes learning from mistakes and submitting to correction.
• And be attentive (וְהַקְשִׁיבוּ - v’haqshivU):
  • Meaning: To incline the ear, to listen carefully and with close focus. It means paying careful heed and giving one’s full mental presence.
  • Significance: Reinforces shema, elevating it from mere hearing to active engagement, emphasizing the diligence required to absorb the message.
• That you may gain understanding (וּדְעוּ בִינָה - u’d’u binah):
  • Meaning: Literally "and know discernment" or "perceive insight."
  • Significance: This phrase states the desired outcome of attentive listening. Binah (understanding/discernment) is the ability to perceive relationships, distinguish between right and wrong, and make wise judgments. It is not just accumulating facts but gaining practical insight for living.

Words-Group analysis

• "Hear, O children, a father’s instruction": This phrase sets the authoritative yet relational tone of the wisdom literature. It establishes the source of wisdom (father) and demands a specific, active posture from the recipients ("hear," implying obedience and receptivity). It frames wisdom not as abstract knowledge but as parental teaching given for the child's benefit.
• "and be attentive, that you may gain understanding": This clarifies the how and why. "Be attentive" reinforces the depth of engagement required, moving beyond casual hearing to focused absorption. The purpose ("that you may gain understanding") highlights the practical, discerning wisdom that is the fruit of this attentive submission to instruction. This understanding leads to discernment, enabling one to navigate life wisely.

Proverbs 4 1 Bonus section

The pedagogical approach of Proverbs, seen in this verse, often mirrors ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions where elders passed down life principles. The "father" can be seen not just as a biological parent but as a sage or spiritual mentor. The emphasis on hearing and understanding forms a central biblical theme, consistently appearing from Deuteronomy's "Hear, O Israel" to Jesus's "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," signifying that true understanding is always tied to a willing and responsive heart. This instruction, though from a human father, implicitly carries divine authority, as all true wisdom ultimately emanates from God Himself (Prov 2:6).

Proverbs 4 1 Commentary

Proverbs 4:1 opens a profound paternal exhortation, acting as a gateway to the crucial wisdom principles that follow. The verse's power lies in its initial simple command: "Hear." This is not passive reception but an active, even obedient, listening that signifies readiness to incorporate the instruction. The "father’s instruction" (musar) is presented not as mere advice but as a structured discipline meant to mold character and conduct. By urging "children" to "be attentive," the passage underscores the diligence required; wisdom is not stumbled upon but diligently pursued through focus. The ultimate prize, "understanding" (binah), is the practical discernment needed to navigate life's complexities and make sound judgments, differentiating between good and evil, wisdom and folly. This wisdom is not just for intellectual assent but for the formation of life's path, preparing the individual to receive deeper truths about life and God. Practically, this teaches us to listen carefully, respectfully, and with an open heart to those who offer wise counsel, particularly those in authority who speak truth consistent with God's Word. It models the discipleship journey, where hearing God's instruction leads to a deeper spiritual understanding and transformation.