Proverbs 6:20 Meaning and Explanation
“My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Honor and obey the moral teaching of both parents as foundational discipline.
The Context of Proverbs 6:20
The passage pivots from warnings about wickedness to instruction on guarding against it through parental teaching.
What Does Proverbs 6:20 Mean?
After exposing the wickedness that God hates, the proverb turns to the positive antidote: keeping the commandment of one's father and the law of one's mother. This obedience is the first defense against becoming wicked. Both parents are named as sources of moral authority—father and mother together shape a child's character.
To keep these commandments means to make them a living part of your life, not merely to hear them once. To 'forsake not' means not to abandon these teachings even when they become inconvenient. Parental teaching is the foundation on which a righteous life is built.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 6:20
What does Proverbs 6:20 mean?
Honor and obey the moral teaching of both parents as foundational discipline.
What is the context of Proverbs 6:20?
The passage pivots from warnings about wickedness to instruction on guarding against it through parental teaching.