Bible Strands
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses a son, placing this command between the definition of wisdom's origin in Proverbs 1:7 and the promised honor for obedience in Proverbs 1:9.
The words — The imperative שְׁמַע (shĕmaʿ) commands "listen to," while the negative prohibition תִּטּוֹשׁ (tittôš) forbids the son from "rejecting" the father’s מוּסָר (mûsâr, correction) and the mother’s תּוֹרָה (tôrâ, instruction).
The thread — This exact parental directive structure appears in Proverbs 6:20, which repeats the command to keep the father’s commandment and not forsake the mother’s teaching, and aligns with the filial obedience warnings in Proverbs 30:17 and 5:1.
Why it lands — The text explicitly demands unreserved attention to parental instruction as the immediate prerequisite for gaining knowledge, directly contrasting the posture of the fool who despises discipline.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Cross-references
- Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
- Proverbs 30:17 As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
- Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,
- Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
- Proverbs 31:1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
- 2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.
- Leviticus 19:3 Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
- Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined,
- Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
- Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.