Bible Strands
Proverbs 4:1
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A father addresses his sons to deliver instruction. The words — The Hebrew שִׁמְעוּ (shim.'U) means "listen to," and מוּסַר אָב (mu.sar 'av) literally translates as "the correction of a father." The thread — The text commands attentive listening in Proverbs 1:8, Psalms 34:11, and Hebrews 2:1, where the act of hearing is explicitly tied to retaining teaching and preventing spiritual drift. Why it lands — The text commands sons to pay attention and gain understanding, requiring the reader to actively receive instruction rather than merely hear it.
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
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 2:1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
- Psalms 34:11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
- Proverbs 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
- Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
- Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11 For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
- Proverbs 7:4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
- Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
- Proverbs 22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
- Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.