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

PROVERBS 6:20KJV
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Proverbs 6:20 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 6:20 mean?

Proverbs 6:20 urges a son to pay careful attention to his father's instructions and not to abandon the teachings of his mother. The verse highlights the importance of listening to both parents and valuing their guidance as something to be kept and not neglected.

In the book of Proverbs, a father is speaking to his child, offering wisdom for living well. The verse sets up a pattern seen throughout Proverbs, where both the father's and mother's roles in teaching are honored. The advice is practical, encouraging the listener to hold on to family instruction as a foundation for wise choices.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 6:20

  • "keep" — נָצַר (natsar): This word means to guard, watch over, or preserve. It suggests more than just hearing advice; it calls for actively protecting and holding onto the father's commandment as something valuable.
  • "forsake" — עָזַב (azav): This means to leave behind or abandon. The verse warns against turning away from the mother's law, emphasizing that her teaching should not be disregarded or forgotten.
  • "law" — תּוֹרָה (torah): While often translated as "law," תּוֹרָה (torah) here refers to instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. It highlights the nurturing, guiding role of the mother’s wisdom.

Why Proverbs 6:20 matters

  • Proverbs 6:20 shows that wisdom and guidance come from both parents, not just the father, which was significant in a culture where fathers were often seen as the main authority.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of Proverbs, where listening to wise instruction is the path to a good and safe life.
  • By using strong words like "keep" and "forsake not," the verse stresses that parental guidance is not just helpful advice but something to be treasured and protected.

Where else these words appear

“forsake” Hebrew H5203 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 31:28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
  • 1 Samuel 30:16 And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
  • Isaiah 21:15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

“keep” Hebrew H5341 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
  • Psalms 119:33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
  • Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.