Proverbs 23:22
New International Version
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

New Living Translation
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

English Standard Version
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Berean Standard Bible
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

King James Bible
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

New King James Version
Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

New American Standard Bible
Listen to your father, who fathered you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

NASB 1995
Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

NASB 1977
Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Legacy Standard Bible
Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Amplified Bible
Listen to your father, who sired you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Christian Standard Bible
Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

American Standard Version
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old.

Contemporary English Version
Pay attention to your father, and don't neglect your mother when she grows old.

English Revised Version
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Listen to your father since you are his son, and do not despise your mother because she is old.

Good News Translation
Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.

International Standard Version
Listen to the one who fathered you, and don't despise your mother in her old age.

Majority Standard Bible
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

NET Bible
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

New Heart English Bible
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hearken to thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

World English Bible
Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Listen to your father, who begot you, "" And do not despise your mother when she has become old.

Young's Literal Translation
Hearken to thy father, who begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she hath become old.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hear to thy father that begat thee, and thou shalt not despise thy mother when growing old.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hearken to thy father, that beget thee: and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Listen to your father, who conceived you. And do not despise your mother, when she is old.

New American Bible
Listen to your father who begot you, do not despise your mother when she is old.

New Revised Standard Version
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear your father who begot you and do not despise the old age of your mother.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hearken unto thy father that begot thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hearken, my son, to thy father which begot thee, and despise not thy mother because she is grown old.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
True Riches
21For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. 22Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.…

Cross References
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Mark 7:10
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Leviticus 19:3
Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.

Proverbs 15:5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

Proverbs 19:26
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

1 Timothy 5:4
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

Luke 2:51
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Genesis 28:7
and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.


Treasury of Scripture

Listen to your father that begat you, and despise not your mother when she is old.

hearken

Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: …

despise

Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

Leviticus 19:3
Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Matthew 15:4-6
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death…

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Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you














Listen to your father who gave you life
This phrase emphasizes the importance of heeding parental guidance, particularly from the father, who is traditionally seen as the head of the family in biblical times. The father’s role in providing life is both biological and spiritual, as he is responsible for teaching and guiding his children in the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The call to "listen" suggests an active engagement and respect for the wisdom and experience that the father imparts. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of honoring one's parents, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). The patriarchal society of ancient Israel placed significant emphasis on the father's authority, reflecting the cultural context in which this proverb was written.

and do not despise your mother when she is old
This part of the verse highlights the enduring respect and care that should be afforded to one's mother, especially as she ages. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the family unit was central, and caring for elderly parents was a fundamental duty. The term "despise" indicates a warning against neglect or contempt, which can arise as parents become more dependent. The Bible consistently upholds the value of honoring one's mother, as seen in passages like Leviticus 19:3 and Ephesians 6:2. The reference to the mother "when she is old" underscores the lifelong nature of this respect, reflecting the biblical principle of caring for the vulnerable and maintaining family integrity. This also prefigures the care Jesus showed for His own mother, Mary, ensuring her well-being even as He was on the cross (John 19:26-27).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Father
Represents the paternal figure who provides guidance, wisdom, and life. In the context of ancient Israel, the father was often seen as the head of the household and a primary source of instruction.

2. Mother
Symbolizes the maternal figure who nurtures and cares for her children. The verse emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing her, especially in her old age.

3. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom and his role as a king of Israel. His writings often focus on practical wisdom and moral teachings.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written, where family structures and respect for parents were foundational societal values.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes teachings on how to live a life pleasing to God through practical and moral instruction.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Listening
Listening to parents is a form of honoring them and acknowledging their role in our lives. It reflects humility and a willingness to learn from their experiences.

Respect for the Elderly
As parents age, they deserve respect and care. This respect is a reflection of our gratitude for their sacrifices and contributions to our lives.

The Role of Parents in Godly Wisdom
Parents are often the first teachers of God's wisdom. Valuing their guidance aligns with seeking God's wisdom in our lives.

Intergenerational Relationships
Healthy relationships between generations are vital for the transmission of values and faith. This verse encourages fostering such relationships.

Practical Obedience to God's Commands
Obeying the command to honor parents is a practical expression of our faith and obedience to God.Verses 22-25. - An octastich, containing an earnest exhortation to the disciple. Verse 22. - That begat thee. This is a claim on the attention and obedience of the son. When she is old. When old age with its consequent infirmities comes upon thy mother, despise her not, but rather thank God for giving her long life, and profit by her love and long experience (comp. Ecclus. 3:1, etc., where the exhortation to honour parents is very full and touching).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Listen
שְׁמַ֣ע (šə·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to your father
לְ֭אָבִיךָ (lə·’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

who
זֶ֣ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

gave you life,
יְלָדֶ֑ךָ (yə·lā·ḏe·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

and do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

despise
תָּ֝ב֗וּז (tā·ḇūz)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 936: To disrespect

your mother
אִמֶּֽךָ׃ (’im·me·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

when
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she is old.
זָקְנָ֥ה (zā·qə·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father who gave you (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 23:21
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