Proverbs 4 is a heartfelt plea from a father to his children, urging them to embrace wisdom and avoid wickedness. The chapter emphasizes the importance of passing down wisdom, the pursuit of understanding, and the contrast between righteous and wicked paths.

Solomon, recalling the teachings he received from his father David, highlights the significance of listening to godly instruction for a successful life.

Proverbs 4:1-4 – The Value of Wisdom

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I 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. Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’”

  • NIV (New International Version): “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I 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. Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’”
  • KJV (King James Version): “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.”
  • ESV (English Standard Version): “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, ‘Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.'”

Commentary: These verses emphasize the importance of passing wisdom from one generation to the next. Solomon recalls his father, David, teaching him about the significance of obeying God’s commands. Wisdom is presented as a life-giving force that should be embraced wholeheartedly.

Word Study & Analysis:

  • “Instruction” (מוּסָר, musar) – Refers to discipline, correction, and training in righteousness.
  • “Understanding” (בִּינָה, binah) – Denotes discernment and comprehension.
  • “Commands” (מִצְוָה, mitzvah) – Represents divine laws and teachings that provide direction for life.

Application: Teaching and mentoring play crucial roles in spiritual and personal development. Just as Solomon learned from his father, we too should seek wisdom from godly mentors and pass it on to the next generation.

Proverbs 4:5-9 – The Supreme Importance of Wisdom

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

  • NIV: “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
  • KJV: “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”
  • ESV: “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

Commentary: Solomon highlights the priority of wisdom, urging his readers to pursue it at all costs. Wisdom brings protection, honor, and ultimately a fulfilled life.

Word Study & Analysis:

  • “Wisdom” (חָכְמָה, chokmah) – Signifies applied knowledge and practical skill in living righteously.
  • “Understanding” (בִּינָה, binah) – Refers to insight and discernment that leads to sound decisions.
  • “Crown” (עֲטָרָה, atarah) – Symbolizes honor, distinction, and divine favor.

Application: Investing in wisdom should be a lifelong pursuit. Seeking godly counsel, reading scripture, and applying knowledge in practical ways ensure a stable and prosperous life.

Proverbs 4:10-19 – Two Paths: The Way of the Righteous and the Path of the Wicked

“Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”

  • NIV: “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”
  • KJV: “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”
  • ESV: “Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”

Commentary: Solomon contrasts the way of wisdom with the path of the wicked. Righteousness leads to stability and peace, whereas wickedness results in darkness and destruction.

Word Study & Analysis:

  • “Straight paths” (אֹרַח, orach) – Implies a directed and purposeful journey aligned with righteousness.
  • “Stumble” (כָּשַׁל, kashal) – Refers to falling into trouble, often due to moral missteps or ignorance.
  • “Darkness” (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshech) – Symbolizes spiritual ignorance and separation from divine wisdom.

Application: Daily choices determine whether we walk in righteousness or fall into sin. Prioritizing wisdom ensures a clear and steady path in life.

General Overview of Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4 is a heartfelt plea from a father to his children, urging them to embrace wisdom and avoid wickedness. The chapter divides into three major themes:

  1. The Importance of Passing Down Wisdom (Verses 1-4): Wisdom should be taught and cherished.
  2. Pursuing Wisdom Above All Else (Verses 5-9): Wisdom brings honor and protection.
  3. The Two Paths (Verses 10-19): A contrast between righteousness and wickedness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wisdom is the most valuable asset in life.
  • Obeying godly instruction leads to longevity and peace.
  • There are only two paths: wisdom and righteousness, or foolishness and destruction.
  • Holding on to wisdom ensures guidance and success.

References

  • HENRY, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged. Hendrickson Publishers, 1991.
  • KIDNER, Derek. Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 1981.
  • WIERSBE, Warren W. Be Skillful (Proverbs): God’s Guidebook to Wise Living. David C. Cook, 1995.