Proverbs 4:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Listen carefully to your father's teaching and seek understanding.
The Context of Proverbs 4:1
The father begins his charge to his children to receive his instruction.
What Does Proverbs 4:1 Mean?
The speaker invites listeners—particularly younger people—to receive instruction. This opening frames wisdom not as abstract theory but as lived teaching passed from one generation to the next. The emphasis on both hearing and attending shows that receiving instruction requires active engagement and focus.
Understanding is presented as something worth pursuing deliberately. The call to 'attend to know' suggests that wisdom requires intention and effort. This sets up the chapter's theme: the deliberate pursuit of wisdom leads to a fuller, better life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 4:1
What does Proverbs 4:1 mean?
Listen carefully to your father's teaching and seek understanding.
What is the context of Proverbs 4:1?
The father begins his charge to his children to receive his instruction.