Proverbs 4:3 (WEB)

Passage

For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 4:1 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

Proverbs 4:2 for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.

Proverbs 4:3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

Proverbs 4:4 He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "father", "tender", "only", "child", "sight", and "mother". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "father" and "tender", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 2's "for I give you sound learning Don..." into verse 4's "He taught me and said to me...", so "father" and "tender" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "father" and "tender" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.