Proverbs 17:25
Proverbs 17:25 in Multiple Translations
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her who gave him birth.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
A provocation to his father [is] a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
Children who are foolish cause their father to be sad and also cause their mother to be very sorrowful.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 17:25
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 17:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כַּ֣עַס
לְ֭/אָבִי/ו
בֵּ֣ן
כְּסִ֑יל
וּ֝/מֶ֗מֶר
לְ/יוֹלַדְתּֽ/וֹ
כַּ֣עַס
kaʻaç
H3708
vexation
N-ms
לְ֭/אָבִי/ו
ʼâb
H1
father
Prep | N-ms | Suff
בֵּ֣ן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
כְּסִ֑יל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
fool
Adj
וּ֝/מֶ֗מֶר
memer
H4470
bitterness
Conj | N-ms
לְ/יוֹלַדְתּֽ/וֹ
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Prep | V-Qal | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 17:25
כַּ֣עַס
kaʻaç
H3708
"vexation"
N-ms
This noun refers to the feeling of anger or frustration, like in Deuteronomy 32 where it describes God's vexation with the Israelites. It can also mean grief or provocation. It's a strong negative emotion.
Definition: anger, vexation Also means: ka.as (כַּ֫עַשׂ "vexation" H3708B)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: anger, angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, [idiom] sore, sorrow, spite, wrath. See also: Deuteronomy 32:19; Psalms 10:14; Psalms 6:8.
לְ֭/אָבִי/ו
ʼâb
H1
"father"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
בֵּ֣ן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
כְּסִ֑יל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
"fool"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Definition: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish). See also: Psalms 49:11; Proverbs 19:13; Psalms 92:7.
וּ֝/מֶ֗מֶר
memer
H4470
"bitterness"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word means bitterness or sorrow, describing a painful or difficult situation. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of hardship or grief. In the KJV, it is translated as bitterness.
Definition: bitterness
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: bitterness. See also: Proverbs 17:25.
לְ/יוֹלַדְתּֽ/וֹ
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Prep | V-Qal | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
Study Notes — Proverbs 17:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 17:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 17:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 17:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 17:25
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 17:25
- Sermons on Proverbs 17:25
Context — Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty. 27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:1 | The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 13:1–22 | After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom. Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her. Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.’” So Amnon lay down and feigned illness. When the king came to see him, Amnon said, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.” Then David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Please go to the house of Amnon your brother and prepare a meal for him.” So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked them. Then she brought the pan and set it down before him, but he refused to eat. “Send everyone away!” said Amnon. And everyone went out. Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat it from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes she had made and went to her brother Amnon’s bedroom. And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come lie with me, my sister!” “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not humiliate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her. Then Amnon hated Tamar with such intensity that his hatred was greater than the love he previously had. “Get up!” he said to her. “Be gone!” “No,” she replied, “sending me away is worse than this great wrong you have already done to me!” But he refused to listen to her. Instead, he called to his attendant and said, “Throw this woman out and bolt the door behind her!” So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore. And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying bitterly. Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar lived as a desolate woman in the house of her brother Absalom. When King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar. |
| 3 | Proverbs 19:13 | A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 4 | Proverbs 15:20 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 2:18–19 | I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. |
Proverbs 17:25 Summary
Proverbs 17:25 tells us that a foolish son can cause a lot of pain and sadness for his parents. This happens when a son makes poor choices and doesn't listen to his parents' wisdom. As seen in Proverbs 10:1, a wise son, on the other hand, brings joy to his father. We can learn from this verse that our choices have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those who care about us, like our parents, and we should strive to make wise choices and listen to good advice, like in Proverbs 12:1, to bring joy to those around us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a foolish son in Proverbs 17:25?
A foolish son is one who rejects wisdom and lives a life of disobedience and rebellion, causing pain to his parents, as seen in this verse and supported by Proverbs 10:1, which says a wise son brings joy to his father.
How can a foolish son bring bitterness to his mother?
A foolish son can bring bitterness to his mother by causing her emotional distress and worry through his reckless and irresponsible behavior, as noted in Proverbs 17:25, and this can be seen in the example of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.
Is it the parents' fault if their son turns out to be foolish?
While parents have a significant influence on their children's lives, the Bible teaches that each individual is responsible for their own actions, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19 and Ezekiel 18:20, so a foolish son's behavior is ultimately his own responsibility.
What can parents do to prevent their child from becoming a foolish son?
Parents can teach their children wisdom and discipline, as instructed in Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4, and pray for their children, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to help them avoid a life of foolishness and rebellion.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I, as a child, bring joy or grief to my parents, and how can I make a conscious choice to bring them joy?
- How can I, as a parent, teach my children wisdom and discipline to help them avoid a life of foolishness?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be acting foolishly, and how can I seek wisdom and correction from God and others?
- How can I balance the desire to please my parents with the need to follow God's will for my life, as seen in Luke 14:26?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son [is] a grief to his father,.... Because of his folly and wickedness, and the ruin he is bringing himself to; and bitterness to her that bare him; a cause of bitterness of soul to his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. A foolish son (is) a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 17:25
This he said before, , and elsewhere; but he here repeats it as a point of great moment and constant use, and as a powerful motive to oblige both children to carry themselves wisely and dutifully to their parents, as they would not be thought to be unnatural or inhuman, and parents to educate their children prudently and religiously, at least for their own comfort, if not for the public good.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 17:25
Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.Ver. 25. A foolish son is a grief to his father.]
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 17:25
Compare Proverbs 17:21. Here is added a reference to the sorrow which the folly of a child brings especially to the mother.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 17:25
25. Foolish son — Comp, Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 10:1.
Sermons on Proverbs 17:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's Truth: Authority and Discipline by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of God's word and the need for consistency in following through with what is said. He shares a personal anecdote about his so |
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Every House Divided Against Itself Shall Not Stand! by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of being worn out and upset due to the constant fighting and turmoil happening in the church. He witnesses a group of peop |
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The Cry of Wisdom by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the concept of wisdom and its connection to intelligence and understanding. He highlights the complexity and intricacy of the human bod |
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From the Death of Saul to the Death of David by Flavius Josephus | Flavius Josephus recounts the tragic events in King David's family, including David's sin with Bathsheba, the death of their child, and the rebellion of his son Absalom. David's so |
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Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 3 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the consequences of finding Christ in a home. He emphasizes the importance of free will and how it can affect one's relationship with God. Th |
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To Build or Not to Build by Jenny Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories from their family history to illustrate the challenges and trials they faced. The first story is about their grandmother, who experie |
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A Son That Brings Shame by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of preaching the word of God and traveling across the nation. He recalls a powerful encounter with a man who commended him for fe |