Proverbs 4:20

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

בְּ֭נִי לִדְבָרַ֣י הַקְשִׁ֑יבָה לַ֝אֲמָרַ֗י הַט־אָזְנֶֽךָ׃

Transliteration

bənî lidbāray haqšîbâ laʾămāray haṭ-ʾāznekā

Grammar Details

*bənî*: masculine singular noun + 1st person singular suffix - my son
*lidbāray*: preposition + masculine plural noun + 1st person singular suffix - to my words
*haqšîbâ*: imperative, masculine singular, hiphil - pay attention
*laʾămāray*: preposition + masculine plural noun + 1st person singular suffix - to my sayings
*haṭ-ʾāznekā*: imperative, masculine singular, hiphil + feminine singular noun + 2nd person masculine singular suffix - incline your ear

Word Meanings

*dbāray*: my words/matters/affairs
*haqšîbâ*: pay attention/listen/be attentive
*ʾămāray*: my sayings/words/promises
*haṭ*: incline/stretch out/extend
*ʾāznekā*: your ear/hearing

ℹ️

About this Translation

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: King James VersionBest for: Original-language word studies

🎯 Translation Approach

Classic King James Version text presented with Strong's numbering to link English words to their underlying Hebrew and Greek terms. Prioritizes literal/formal correspondence while enabling original-language word study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Each English term is keyed to a Strong's number, enabling direct lookup of the underlying Hebrew or Greek word.
KJV text basis: Employs the classic King James Version wording known for formal equivalence and literary style.
Study-focused layout: Optimized for research and analysis, prioritizing lexical access over uninterrupted readability.
Concordance compatibility: Strong's numbers map to widely available concordances and lexicons for deeper study.

✅ Strengths

Strong linkage to original Hebrew/Greek via Strong's numbers
High concordance with source wording
Well-suited for in-depth word studies and exegesis
Widely recognized and referenced KJV text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language can be difficult for modern readers
Reference numbers can disrupt continuous reading
Less suitable for public or devotional reading compared to modern translations

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Students of biblical languages
Pastors and teachers
Serious Bible students
Researchers needing lexical linkage
Readers preferring KJV tradition

Consider alternatives for

New believers
Casual devotional reading
Children and young readers
English language learners

🔄 Compare with

ESVNASBNIVCSBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 5:1 : 1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
Prov 7:1 : 1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Isa 55:3 : 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Matt 17:5 : 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Prov 6:20-21 : 20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
Ps 78:1 : 1 Maschil{H8688)} of Asaph. Give ear{H8685)}, O my people, to my law: incline{H8685)} your ears to the words of my mouth.
Ps 90:12 : 12 So teach{H8685)} us to number{H8800)} our days, that we may apply{H8686)} our hearts unto wisdom.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 5:1-2
2 verses
86%
1My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
Prov 2:1-2
2 verses
83%
1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Prov 4:10-11
2 verses
82%
10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
Prov 7:24-25
2 verses
81%
24Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Prov 4:1-2
2 verses
81%
1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Prov 4:21
80%
21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
Prov 7:1
80%
1My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Prov 23:26
80%
26My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Prov 22:17-18
2 verses
79%
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Prov 5:7
79%
7Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Prov 23:19
79%
19Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Prov 23:12
78%
12Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
Prov 8:32-33
2 verses
78%
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Prov 1:8
78%
8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Prov 3:1
77%
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Prov 4:4-5
2 verses
77%
4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Prov 3:21
77%
21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Ps 78:1
77%
1Maschil{H8688)} of Asaph. Give ear{H8685)}, O my people, to my law: incline{H8685)} your ears to the words of my mouth.
Prov 1:15
76%
15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
Prov 19:27
75%
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
Prov 6:20-21
2 verses
75%
20My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
Prov 1:10
74%
10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Gen 27:8
74%
8Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
Ezek 3:10
74%
10Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
Job 34:16
74%
16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Isa 28:23
74%
23Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Job 13:17
74%
17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
Prov 22:6
73%
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Prov 4:25-26
2 verses
73%
25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Ps 49:4
73%
4I will incline{H8686)} mine ear to a parable: I will open{H8799)} my dark saying upon the harp.
Prov 4:19
72%
19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Job 22:22
72%
22Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
Prov 1:5
72%
5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Ps 5:1
72%
1To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Prov 23:15
72%
15My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
Prov 27:11
72%
11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
Prov 1:23
72%
23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Prov 23:22
72%
22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Prov 13:1
71%
1A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.