Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 4:3
3When I was a son to my father, tender and special to 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.
- 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
1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention, to gain understanding. 2For I give you sound learning— do not forsake my instruction. When I was a son to my father, tender and special to my mother, 4he taught me and said to me: “Lay hold of my words in your heart, keep my commands and you will live! 5Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
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. He went to her and lay with her, and she bore a son and called his name Solomon. Adonai loved him,
- 1 Kings 1:13Go at once to King David, and say to him: ‘My lord the king, haven’t you sworn to your handmaid, saying: “Surely your son Solomon will become king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Then why does Adonijah reign?’
- 1 Chronicles 3:5These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were from Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel;
- 1 Chronicles 22:5David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced and the House that is to be built for Adonai must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all the nations. Therefore I will make preparation for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.
- 1 Chronicles 29:1Then King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced and the task is great, for the palace is not for man but for Adonai Elohim.
- Jeremiah 10:23I know, Adonai, that a man’s way is not his own, nor does man, as he walks, direct his steps.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another; do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own eyes.
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
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
Commentaries