My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Read it in contextWarnings against Adultery
Start reading at Proverbs 6:20 (Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 6:35).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
6:20My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
6:21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
6:22When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
6:23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
6:24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
6:25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
6:26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
6:27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
6:28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
6:29So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
6:30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
6:31But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
6:32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
6:33A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
6:34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
6:35He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 1:1–9:18): The teacher or parent addresses a son or pupil; Wisdom and the opposing seductive voices are personified within the instruction. These speeches train hearers rather than narrate a gathering of every person used as an example. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Warnings against Adultery. Read Proverbs 6:20 through Proverbs 6:35 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Warnings against Adultery (Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 6:35).
Start reading at Proverbs 6:20. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 6
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.