Proverbs 4:10 kjv

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

Proverbs 4:10 nkjv

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.

Proverbs 4:10 niv

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

Proverbs 4:10 esv

Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.

Proverbs 4:10 nlt

My child, listen to me and do as I say,
and you will have a long, good life.

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 10 Meaning

Proverbs 4:10 is an urgent and tender appeal from a father (or wisdom personified) to a son, imploring him to listen intently and accept the instruction offered. It directly links this attentive reception of wisdom with the promise of a long and prosperous life. The verse establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship: embracing godly counsel leads to extended and flourishing years.

Proverbs 4 10 Context

Proverbs chapter 4 serves as a passionate and earnest plea from a father to his son, urging him to embrace and hold fast to wisdom. It is presented as a crucial legacy passed down through generations—the father recounting how he himself received this wisdom from his own parents. The chapter paints wisdom as the most vital possession, a "principal thing," without which life lacks direction and purpose. Verses like 4:1-9 describe wisdom's supreme value, likening it to a protective shield and an honorific crown. Verse 4:10 specifically pivots to the direct benefit of accepting this wisdom: an increase in one's lifespan. The overarching context of Proverbs highlights a stark contrast between the "way of wisdom" and the "way of the wicked," with wisdom leading to life and peace, and folly leading to destruction. This particular verse reinforces that the teachings are not abstract, but yield tangible benefits in the present life, rooting spiritual instruction in practical longevity and well-being.

Proverbs 4 10 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - shᵉmaʻ): This Hebrew term goes beyond mere auditory perception. It implies an active, attentive listening that leads to understanding and, crucially, obedience. It is the same root used in the command "Shema Israel" (Hear, O Israel) in Deuteronomy 6:4, signifying not just to hear, but to internalize and act upon.

• my son (בְּנִי - bᵉnî): An affectionate and pedagogical address. It highlights the familial context of wisdom transmission in ancient Israel, where instruction often passed from father to son. It suggests a loving, authoritative voice imparting essential truths.

• and receive (וְקַח - wᵉqaḥ): From the verb קָחַח (qaḥah), meaning "to take," "to grasp," "to acquire." It's not a passive reception but an active taking hold of something precious, like accepting a gift or seizing an opportunity. It implies ownership and commitment.

• my sayings (אֲמָרָי - ʼǎmārāy): These are the father's words, his teachings, his specific instructions and principles. They are considered the embodiment of wisdom, reflecting divine truth. They are concrete precepts for living.

• And the years of your life (וְיִרְבּוּ שְׁנֵי חַיִּים - wᵉyirbû shᵉnê ḥayyîm):

  • will be many (וְיִרְבּוּ - wᵉyirbû): From רָבָה (rabah), "to be great, many, abundant." This denotes an increase, a multiplication.
  • years (שְׁנֵי - shᵉnê): Denotes the duration of existence, the passage of time.
  • of your life (חַיִּים - ḥayyîm): Literally "lives" or "living." This plural form often signifies a comprehensive, full life, rich in quality and vitality, not just mere existence. It encompasses well-being, prosperity, and the joy of existence within God's blessing, beyond simply extended chronological age.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Hear, my son, and receive my sayings": This phrase establishes a direct, intimate call to diligent engagement with instruction. It underscores the active role required from the learner—not just listening passively but actively embracing the wisdom. This echoes the covenantal expectation of Israel "hearing" and obeying God's laws.
  • "And the years of your life will be many": This phrase presents the clear, tangible outcome. Longevity, in the biblical sense, is a significant blessing, often tied to faithfulness and righteousness. It implies a flourishing life, filled with opportunities to experience God's goodness and fulfill one's purpose, rather than a premature or tragic end often associated with folly.

Proverbs 4 10 Bonus section

The "life" promised in this verse and throughout Proverbs is holistic. It encompasses physical longevity, well-being, prosperity, and joy (Prov 3:16). This contrasts sharply with the "death" or truncated life experienced by the wicked, which refers not necessarily to literal immediate physical death, but often to a wasted, cursed, or ultimately destroyed existence, lacking purpose or the blessing of God (Prov 1:32, 2:18, 5:23). Thus, "many years" also signifies avoiding the pitfalls and destructive consequences that result from choosing folly, which often leads to a premature end, either literally or experientially, leaving one devoid of true vitality.

Proverbs 4 10 Commentary

Proverbs 4:10 concisely expresses a core tenet of biblical wisdom literature: a direct, cause-and-effect relationship between heeding wise, God-given instruction and experiencing a full, prolonged, and blessed life. The command to "hear and receive" goes beyond passive intellectual assent; it demands attentive engagement that translates into action and embraces the truth being presented. The promise of "many years of your life" is a significant blessing within the Israelite worldview, where longevity and offspring were indicators of God's favor and covenant faithfulness. This life is not merely about accumulating chronological years, but about living a life of quality, purpose, and spiritual flourishing, aligned with the divine order. The teaching encourages reliance on God's wisdom, as disseminated through godly instruction, as the pathway to a truly fulfilling existence.