Proverbs 5:1
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
Original Language Analysis
בְּ֭נִי
My son
H1121
בְּ֭נִי
My son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 6
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לִ֝תְבוּנָתִ֗י
to my understanding
H8394
לִ֝תְבוּנָתִ֗י
to my understanding
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
4 of 6
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
Cross References
Proverbs 22:17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.Proverbs 2:1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;Proverbs 4:20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.Revelation 2:17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.Revelation 3:13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.Revelation 2:11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.Mark 4:23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.James 1:19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:Proverbs 4:1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Historical Context
Solomon's warning gains poignancy given his own later failure with foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-13). Even God-given wisdom must be continuously applied through grace-enabled obedience, or it provides no protection.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you apply biblical wisdom to your sexuality and relationships?
- What areas of desire most challenge your commitment to godly self-control?
Analysis & Commentary
Attending to understanding requires intellectual engagement with wisdom. The Hebrew 'binah' (understanding) denotes discernment between truth and error, right and wrong. This chapter's warnings against adultery demonstrate wisdom's application to the most powerful human drives, showing no area of life falls outside God's moral governance.