New Living Translation
Proverbs 4:3
3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
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.
- New International Version (NIV)For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by 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,
Context of Proverbs 4:3
1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, 2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. 4My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t 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 Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child
- 1 Kings 1:13Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
- 1 Chronicles 3:5The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Their mother was Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel.
- 1 Chronicles 22:5David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.
- 1 Chronicles 29:1Then King David turned to the entire assembly and said, “My son Solomon, whom God has clearly chosen as the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous, for the Temple he will build is not for mere mortals—it is for the Lord God himself!
- Jeremiah 10:23I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
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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