Proverbs 4:3

3 For why and I was the son of my father, a tender son, and one begotten, before my mother. (For I was my father's son, a tender son, and 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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 4:3 In-Context

1 Sons, hear ye the teaching of your father; and perceive ye (and understand ye), (so) that ye know prudence.

2 I shall give to you a good gift; forsake ye not my law. (I give you a good gift; do not ye abandon my instructions.)

3 For why and I was the son of my father, a tender son, and one begotten, before my mother. (For I was my father's son, a tender son, and my mother's only child.)

4 And my father taught me, and said, Thine heart receive my words; keep thou my behests (obey my commands), and thou shalt live.

5 Wield thou wisdom, wield thou prudence; forget thou not, neither bow thou away from the words of my mouth.