Proverbs 6:20 kjv

My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 6:20 nkjv

My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.

Proverbs 6:20 niv

My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 6:20 esv

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 6:20 nlt

My son, obey your father's commands,
and don't neglect your mother's instruction.

Proverbs 6 verses

Proverbs 6 20 Meaning

Proverbs 6:20 exhorts the listener, addressed affectionately as "my son," to diligently uphold and faithfully adhere to the wise counsel and authoritative instruction received from both his father and his mother. This verse underscores the foundational importance of parental teaching in guiding a young person's life, shaping their character, and preparing them to navigate moral complexities and avoid pitfalls.

Proverbs 6 20 Context

Proverbs 6:20 falls within the extended instructional discourse of a "father" (personifying wisdom) to his "son," characteristic of the initial chapters (Proverbs 1-9) of the book. These chapters serve as a prologue, laying the foundation for discerning wisdom and folly. The immediate context of chapter 6 provides practical warnings against various dangers: idleness (vv. 6-11), wickedness and deceit (vv. 12-19), and significantly, the seductions of the adulteress (vv. 24-35). Verse 20, therefore, acts as a crucial preventative measure, positing that heeding parental instruction is a primary defense against such moral pitfalls, particularly sexual sin. Historically, in ancient Israel, the family unit was the primary institution for moral, spiritual, and vocational education. Both father and mother played distinct yet complementary roles in imparting wisdom that was intricately woven with the tenets of the divine covenant and ethical living. The counsel given was not merely personal preference but rooted in God's law and practical wisdom accumulated over generations.

Proverbs 6 20 Word analysis

• "My son" (בְּנִי, beni): An affectionate and pedagogic address used throughout Proverbs. It emphasizes the close relational bond and the personal nature of the instruction, framing it as a direct transmission of heritage within the family. It implies the need for a receptive and teachable heart from the one being instructed.
• "keep" (נְצֹר, netzōr): This strong verb means to guard, preserve, observe carefully, or protect. It denotes more than passive listening; it calls for active vigilance, internalizing the instruction, safeguarding it as precious, and diligently applying it in life. It's a call to make the instruction a part of one's inner being.
• "your father's" (אָבִיךָ, avicha): Refers to the male parent, embodying authoritative instruction, often relating to covenantal principles, public conduct, and overarching life philosophy. The father's role was central in spiritual formation and upholding communal standards.
• "commandment" (מִצְוַת, mitzvath): Denotes an authoritative precept, an injunction, or a divine ordinance. In this context, it signifies the binding, guiding principles imparted by the father, implying that this instruction carries authority similar to God's own commands and is rooted in moral absolutes.
• "and forsake not" (אַל-תִּטֹּשׁ, al-tittosh): A powerful negative prohibition. It means not to abandon, cast off, neglect, or leave behind. This emphasizes steadfast allegiance and unwavering adherence, ensuring the instruction remains an active guiding force throughout life, not something casually dismissed.
• "your mother's" (אִמֶּךָ, immecha): Refers to the female parent, highlighting her vital and indispensable role in the child's moral, practical, and spiritual upbringing within the home. Her wisdom complemented the father's, often focusing on practical daily conduct, virtue, and piety.
• "teaching" (תּוֹרַת, torath): Often translated "law" (as in Torah), but here more broadly signifies instruction, guidance, or custom. While the father's "commandment" might lean towards authoritative statutes, the mother's "teaching" refers to comprehensive moral and ethical training, the values instilled through her daily example and tutelage.

• "My son, keep... and forsake not...": These parallel, forceful commands underline the unwavering diligence required. The instruction is to be actively retained ("keep") and never discarded or neglected ("forsake not"), forming a permanent foundation for righteous living.
• "your father's commandment, and... your mother's teaching": This crucial parallelism emphasizes the united and complementary role of both parents. Wisdom and guidance are presented as emanating from a combined, harmonious source. The father often provided the framework of rules and principles (commandment), while the mother instilled practical, daily moral lessons and virtues (teaching), forming a complete and well-rounded education. This holistic parental instruction forms a double safeguard.

Proverbs 6 20 Bonus section

• The emphasis on both parents (father and mother) offering instruction highlights a distinctive feature of Israelite wisdom literature compared to some patriarchal ancient Near Eastern cultures. It affirms the significant and recognized authority and influence of the mother in a child's upbringing and moral development. Her teaching is not secondary but integral.
• The "commandment" (mitzvah) and "teaching" (Torah) given by parents are understood within the larger framework of God's divine Law (Torah). When parents teach rightly, their instruction aligns with and often mediates the wisdom and commands of God Himself, thereby making their instruction immensely authoritative and life-giving. This implies that truly godly parental advice should not be easily set aside.
• This verse is not a call for blind, uncritical obedience in all circumstances, especially if parental advice were to contradict divine commands. Rather, it assumes that the parental instruction being commended is generally in harmony with God's will and truth, providing genuine wisdom for a good life, thereby forming a strong defense against folly and sin.

Proverbs 6 20 Commentary

Proverbs 6:20 establishes the vital and binding nature of parental instruction for leading a discerning and upright life. It's a call for the child not merely to hear but to diligently internalize and act upon the wisdom passed down by both parents. The father's "commandment" provides foundational, authoritative principles often linked to broader divine truth, while the mother's "teaching" offers practical, everyday guidance and moral formation. This dual instruction is portrayed as a protective shield and an unerring guide, especially relevant to the preceding and following warnings about sin and temptation. "Keeping" signifies treasuring and obeying, while "not forsaking" implies unwavering commitment. For the audience, this meant valuing the heritage of wisdom and God-fearing principles. For parents, it underscores the profound responsibility to teach truths that will truly safeguard their children. Practically, this suggests: 1) Actively seeking and appreciating advice from wise parents. 2) Prioritizing family values and moral lessons over fleeting trends. 3) Recognizing that genuine parental wisdom is often a channel for God's wisdom, intended for protection and flourishing.