Proverbs 6:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My son, keep your father 's commandment, and forsake not your mother 's teaching.

NIV: My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

NASB: My son, comply with the commandment of your father, And do not ignore the teaching of your mother;

CSB: My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.

NLT: My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

KJV: My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

NKJV: My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.

Solomon appeals to his son to pay close attention to the lessons taught by his parents. Rearing a child successfully takes an effort by both mother and father. Children often resent parental guidance but come to appreciate those messages later in life. Very often, those who ignore the wisdom of their parents come to realize—too late—that it was good advice. This emphasis on accepting advice speaks to the serious issue Solomon is about to address: adultery (Proverbs 6:24).

Hebrews 11:23 commends the faith of Moses' parents for hiding him from Pharaoh's assassins for three months. They perceived that tiny Moses was beautiful. They believed God had something special in store for their baby, therefore they did not fear Pharaoh's edict to kill all the male Hebrew babies (Exodus 1:15–16). Interestingly, God arranged events in such a way that Moses' mother was hired by Pharaoh's daughter to care for him until he was weaned (Exodus 2:1–10)!

As a result, Moses not only survived, and was greatly provided for, he had at least some opportunity to learn from his own mother. He clearly sympathized with the Hebrews in their suffering (Exodus 2:11–12). In his adulthood, he rejected the pleasures of sin and "considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt" (Hebrews 11:24–26).

Proverbs 6:20–35 returns to the topic of adultery, something Solomon also discussed in chapter 5. He warns his son to abide by the teaching he received from his parents, because they will guide him and keep him from the adulteress. Further, he cites the harmful and irreversible consequences of adultery.

This chapter provides teaching on two aspects of wealth management. The first is avoiding putting one's property in debt for the sake of some other person's risky investment. The other warns against laziness, indicating that it puts a person at risk for sudden ruin. Solomon then poetically explains attitudes and actions which God finds especially repulsive. Next, Solomon returns to the subject of adultery. He reiterates the inherent risks of sexual immorality, including the catastrophic consequences which it brings. That lesson continues into the following chapter.

This chapter of Proverbs continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his son. In chapter 5 he addresses adultery and marriage. In this chapter he addresses financial matters, work ethics, characteristics and conduct the Lord despises, and sexual immorality. A common theme of these lessons is to avoid the natural consequences of foolish choices. The next chapter describes the adulteress's ways and the pitfalls involved in committing adultery with her.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.