Proverbs 4:20
Proverbs 4:20 in Multiple Translations
My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
My son, give attention to my words; let your ear be turned to my sayings.
My son, pay attention to what I tell you; listen to the words I'm saying.
My sonne, hearken vnto my wordes, incline thine eare vnto my sayings.
My son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear,
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
My son, attend to my words; incline thy ear to my sayings.
My son, hearken to my words, and incline thy ear to my sayings.
My son, pay attention to what I am saying. Listen to my words carefully.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 4:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 4:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ֭נִ/י
לִ/דְבָרַ֣/י
הַקְשִׁ֑יבָ/ה
לַ֝/אֲמָרַ֗/י
הַט
אָזְנֶֽ/ךָ
בְּ֭נִ/י
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
לִ/דְבָרַ֣/י
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Prep | N-mp | Suff
הַקְשִׁ֑יבָ/ה
qâshab
H7181
to listen
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
לַ֝/אֲמָרַ֗/י
ʼêmer
H561
word
Prep | N-mp | Suff
הַט
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
אָזְנֶֽ/ךָ
ʼôzen
H241
ear
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 4:20
בְּ֭נִ/י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
לִ/דְבָרַ֣/י
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הַקְשִׁ֑יבָ/ה
qâshab
H7181
"to listen"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
To listen carefully is what this Hebrew word means, like pricking up your ears to hear something. It's used in many Bible verses, including Proverbs and Isaiah, to encourage people to pay attention. The KJV translates it as 'attend' or 'hear'.
Definition: 1) to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1a) (Qal) incline, attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1b) (Hiphil) to pay attention, give attention
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard. See also: 1 Samuel 15:22; Song of Solomon 8:13; Psalms 5:3.
לַ֝/אֲמָרַ֗/י
ʼêmer
H561
"word"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a word or speech, like a promise or command from God. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's conversations with people.
Definition: utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: answer, [idiom] appointed unto him, saying, speech, word. See also: Genesis 49:21; Psalms 141:6; Psalms 5:2.
הַט
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
אָזְנֶֽ/ךָ
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
Study Notes — Proverbs 4:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — A Father’s Instruction
18The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 5:1 | My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight, |
| 2 | Isaiah 55:3 | Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant— My loving devotion promised to David. |
| 3 | Proverbs 7:1 | My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. |
| 4 | Proverbs 6:20–21 | My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. |
| 5 | Psalms 78:1 | Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth. |
| 6 | Psalms 90:12 | So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. |
| 7 | Matthew 17:5 | While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” |
Proverbs 4:20 Summary
Proverbs 4:20 is an invitation from a loving father to his son to pay attention to his words and listen carefully to his teachings. This means giving God's words our full focus and consideration, and being receptive to the wisdom and guidance they provide, as seen in James 1:22-25. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's will and live a life that is pleasing to Him, as encouraged in Colossians 3:16-17. As we prioritize God's words and make them a central part of our thoughts and meditations, we can experience the life and health that they bring, as promised in Proverbs 4:22.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'pay attention' to God's words?
To pay attention to God's words means to give them our utmost focus and consideration, as instructed in Proverbs 4:20, and to apply them to our lives, as seen in James 1:22-25, where we are told to be doers of the word, not just hearers.
Why is it important to 'incline your ear' to God's sayings?
Inclining our ear to God's sayings means to humbly and attentively listen to His words, as seen in Proverbs 4:20, and to be receptive to the wisdom and guidance they provide, much like the psalmist in Psalm 119:18, who asks God to open his eyes to see the wonders of His law.
What is the significance of the father-son relationship in this verse?
The father-son relationship in Proverbs 4:20 represents a loving and authoritative guidance, where the father is passing on wisdom and instruction to his son, as seen in Proverbs 1:8, where we are told to listen to our father's instruction and not forsake our mother's teaching.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply Proverbs 4:20 to our daily lives by prioritizing time in God's word, as seen in Psalm 119:97, where the psalmist says 'Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day', and by being intentional about listening to and applying God's words to our thoughts, words, and actions, as instructed in Colossians 3:16-17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can 'pay attention' to God's words in my daily life, and what distractions might I need to set aside to do so?
- How can I cultivate a humble and receptive heart to 'incline my ear' to God's sayings, and what role does prayer play in this process?
- What are some specific 'sayings' or teachings from God's word that I need to focus on and apply to my life right now, and how can I use them to guide my decisions and actions?
- In what ways can I prioritize God's words and make them a central part of my thoughts and meditations, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:20 and Psalm 1:2-3?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:20
My son, attend to my words,.... Which go before and which follow after, his doctrines, instructions, cautions, and exhortations; incline thine ear unto my sayings; stoop and bow the ear; listen
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:20
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings - a fresh call to serious attention, because of our tendency to spiritual torpor (cf. Proverbs 4:1).
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:20
Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.Ver. 20. My son, attend to my words.] Still he calls for attention, as knowing our dulness and fickle headedness. It fared with the prophet Zechariah as with a drowsy person, who, though awaked and set to work, is ready to sleep at it. It fares with many of us as with little children, who, though saying their lessons, yet must needs look off to see the feather that flies by them.
Sermons on Proverbs 4:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's Dealing With Me - Part 1 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of following four directions in order to receive the life and health that come from God's word. The first direction is to att |
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(1 Peter - Part 18): On Laying Aside Certain Things by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that it is God who infuses the element of eternity into everything. Without God's intervention, mortality and corruptibility are inevitable. |
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Healing - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of using the gift that God has given us. He shares his personal experience of receiving more of God's gifts by choosing to use |
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Authority and God's Word - Part 2 by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into the profound nature of God's Word as described in Hebrews 4:12, emphasizing its living and powerful essence that penetrates the deepest parts of our being. |
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Identifying the True Prophet - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of applying machine-age methods to our relationship with God. He highlights the negative consequences of this approach, such as shal |
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Spiritual Warfare Series - Fighting With Joy by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on positive truth and God's love, as it produces joy. He warns against dwelling on past hurts and encourages Chri |
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Watch Your Heart - the Wellspring of Life by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart above all else. He uses examples such as taking care of livestock and being attentive while driving to |