Proverbs 4:3

3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Proverbs 4:3 in Other Translations

3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

3 When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

3 For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

3 When I was a boy [learning] from my father, when I was a tender and only child of my mother,

3 When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,

3 I was once a young boy in my father's house. I was my mother's only child.

Proverbs 4:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:3

For I was my father's son
Or, "a son to my father" ^F16; so Solomon was to God, his heavenly Father, ( 2 Samuel 7:14 ) ; which Jarchi observes, and gives as the sense of this place: but his father David is meant, whose son he was; though he was not his only one, he had others besides him. But the sense is, that he was his darling, his beloved son, whom he loved above the rest; as he was beloved of the Lord, and therefore his name was called Jedidiah, so he was beloved of his father; and, because he had a peculiar love for him, he took a particular care of his education; tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother;
his mother Bathsheba, who had a most affectionate regard to him; and therefore in his tender age, as soon as he was susceptible of instructions, gave them to him, which being received, made deep and lasting impressions on him; see ( Proverbs 31:1 Proverbs 31:2 ) . The marginal reading is, "to the sons of my mother"; for Bathsheba had more sons, ( 1 Chronicles 3:5 ) ; both readings may be retained, "beloved in the sight of my mother's sons". Gersom interprets this of the people of Israel, who were sons to God their Father; and were the only nation that received the law, and which they received at the time of their coming out of Egypt, in the days of their youth.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (ybal ytyyh Nb) "filius fui patri meo", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Cocceius, Schultens.

Proverbs 4:3 In-Context

1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4 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.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.