Proverbs 1:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 1:7-9

Solomon, having undertaken to teach a young man knowledge and discretion, here lays down two general rules to be observed in order thereunto, and those are, to fear God and honour his parents, which two fundamental laws of morality Pythagoras begins his golden verses with, but the former of them in a wretchedly corrupted state. Primum, deos immortales cole, parentesque honora?First worship the immortal gods, and honour your parents. To make young people such as they should be, I. Let them have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:8

My son, hear the instruction of thy father ,.... This is not to be understood of God the Father of mankind, and of that law which he has given them, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it, but of Solomon and his son in a literal sense; and of anyone that came to him for instruction, any pupil, hearer, or reader of his; and it is a direction to all children to hearken to the instruction of their parents, and obey their commands; so, next to the fear and worship of God, he exhorts to obedience to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:8

My son, hear - Father was the title of preceptor, and son, that of disciple or scholar, among the Jews. But here the reference appears to be to the children of a family; the father and the mother have the principal charge, in the first instance, of their children's instruction. It is supposed that these parents have, themselves, the fear of the Lord, and that they are capable of giving the best counsel to their children, and that they set before them a strict example of all godly living. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8

My son, hear the instruction of thy father . The transition in this verse from what may be regarded as filial obedience towards God to filial obedience towards parents is suggestive of the moral Law. The same admonition, in a slightly altered form, occurs again in Proverbs 6:1-35 ; "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother" (cf. also Proverbs 4:1 ). My son ; בְּנִבי ( beni ) from בֵּן ( ben ), "a son." The form of address here adopted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-9

Filial piety The teacher speaks under the assumed form of a father, like St. Paul ( 1 Corinthians 4:15 ; Philemon 1:10 ), to give the more affectionate zest to his appeal. And the word "mother" is brought in by poetical parallelism, enhancing the parental image, We may include the parent and the teacher in one conception. The duty owed to both is analogous. And the teacher may be at the same time the parent. I. DUTY TO PARENTS AND EARLY TEACHERS COMES NEXT TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-9

The duty and the beauty of filial piety The wise teacher here commends to us the excellency of the filial spirit. And it is worthy of notice that he exhorts the young to be obedient to their mother as well as mindful of the counsels of their father. We think of— I. THE DUTY OF FILIAL PIETY , based upon and arising from: 1 . The relation itself. It is enough that our parents are our parents, and that we are their offspring. On that simple ground it behoves us to listen and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-19

1. First admonitory discourse. Warning against enticements to robbery and bloodshed. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:8-9

Proverbs 1:8-9. My son, &c. He speaks to his scholars with paternal authority and affection, to render them more attentive and obedient. Teachers among the Hebrews were commonly called fathers, and their scholars their sons. Hear the instruction of thy father His good and wholesome counsels; and forsake not the law of thy mother Those pious instructions which thy mother instilled into thee in thy tender years. This he adds, because children, when grown up, are very prone to slight... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:8-19

Heed instruction; avoid bad company (1:8-19)Having introduced his subject, the writer now gives the first of a series of lessons on the value of wisdom. Throughout these lessons he speaks as a father to a son, drawing from his own experience to give advice and warning (8-9).The first warning concerns bad companions, especially those who lead others astray with the tempting offer of instant wealth through robbery and violence (10-14). The writer hopes that the inexperienced youth, being... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:8

My son. See the Structure (p. 864) for the portions so addressed (Proverbs 1:6 , Proverbs 1:9 , Proverbs 1:18 ; Pro 19:20-34 ; Proverbs 27:1 , Pro 27:29 , Proverbs 27:27 ; Proverbs 30:1 , Proverbs 30:31 , Proverbs 30:31 ). Occurs fifteen times in this member. hear, &c. Illustrations: Isaac (Genesis 48:15 ); Moses (Hebrews 11:23 ); Samuel (1 Samuel 1:28 ; 1 Samuel 2:18 ; 1 Samuel 3:19-21 ); Timothy ( 2Ti 1:5 ; 2 Timothy 3:15 .Acts 16:1 , Acts 16:2 ). thy father. The address is educational,... read more

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