New International Version
Proverbs 4:3
3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Proverbs 4:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
- English Standard Version (ESV)When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
- New King James Version (NKJV)When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
- New Living Translation (NLT)For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
Context of Proverbs 4:3
1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Read all of Proverbs 4Proverbs 4:3 word by word
כִּי־בֵ֭ן הָיִ֣יתִי לְאָבִ֑י רַ֥ךְ וְ֝יָחִ֗יד לִפְנֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 4:3
- 2 Samuel 12:24Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him;
- 1 Kings 1:13Go in to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
- 1 Chronicles 3:5and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.
- 1 Chronicles 22:5David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.
- 1 Chronicles 29:1Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God.
- Jeremiah 10:23Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Commentaries on Proverbs 4:3
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Probably the words of Solomon himself, who looks back from his glorious throne and his matured wisdom to the training which was the starting point. The part taken by Bathsheba in Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:12) in its derived sense, “beloved like an only son.” The Vulgate gives “unigenitus.” Compare the words applied to our Lord, as the “only begotten” John 1:14, the “beloved” Ephesians 1:6.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3a son to my father...the only child of my mother: In Proverbs, both parents teach wisdom. This joint involvement is unique in ancient Near Eastern traditions.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. father's son--emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by only beloved--or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 4:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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