Proverbs 23:24 — Word Study
WLCגִּ֣יל יָ֭גִיל אֲבִ֣י צַדִּ֑יק וְיוֹלֵ֥ד חָ֝כָ֗ם יִשְׂמַח בּֽוֹ׃
BSAThe fatherʼâb [parent, progenitor] of a righteous mantsaddîyq [just, upright] ◂will greatly rejoicegîyl▸ [be exceedingly glad, experience joy] and he who fathersyâlad [begets, brings into the world] a wise sonchâkâm [intelligent, discerning] will delight in himsâmach▸ [take pleasure, rejoice]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גִּ֣יל | certainly | Verb, Qal, infinitive absolute |
| יָ֭גִיל | he rejoices | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֲבִ֣י | [the] father of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| צַדִּ֑יק | a righteous [son] | Adj |
| וְיוֹלֵ֥ד | and [one who] begets | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| חָ֝כָ֗ם | a wise [son] | Adj |
| יִשְׂמַח | he rejoices | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בּֽוֹ׃ | in him | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. |
| KJV | The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. |
| ASV | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. |
| YLT | The father of the righteous rejoiceth greatly, The begetter of the wise rejoiceth in him. |
| WEB | The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. |
| BBE | The father of the upright man will be glad, and he who has a wise child will have joy because of him. |
Where they part company is צַדִּ֑יק — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main clause and two phrases that elaborate on the actions of the father.
3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbגִּיל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 23:24
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Joy of Parenthoodgenerated
Proverbs 23:24 reflects on the joy that a father experiences from the righteousness of his son and the delight he takes in a wise child. This passage emphasizes the values of righteousness and wisdom within the family unit, highlighting the emotional responses of a parent. The surrounding verses also stress the importance of truth, wisdom, and understanding in life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 23:15–16 | My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice. |
| 2 | Proverbs 10:1 | The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. |
| 3 | Proverbs 15:20 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 1:48 | saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has provided one to sit on my throne, and my eyes have seen it.’” |
| 5 | 1 Kings 2:1–3 | As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גִּיל, goylgenerated
The Hebrew word גִּיל (goyl) is a verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It conveys strong emotions, often associated with excitement or levity. The root of this word suggests a sense of spinning around due to intense feelings, which can encompass both joy and fear.
In this verse, the use of גִּיל indicates the father's profound joy in the righteousness of his son. This joy is not merely surface-level happiness; it reflects deep emotional satisfaction and pride in the son's character.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses greatly rejoice and delight to convey the father's emotions. This is consistent across other translations such as the KJV and ASV.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of צַדִּ֑יק. The DRA uses just, while the BBE opts for upright, reflecting different nuances of righteousness.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יָ֭גִיל (he rejoices) governs the first clause, while the second clause introduces another verb יִשְׂמַח (he delights), which is connected by the conjunction וְ (and). This structure illustrates the parallel nature of the father's emotions regarding both righteousness and wisdom.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the father and the qualities of the sons, reflecting the significance of these relationships in the context of the verse.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates גִּיל as καλῶς (well), which suggests a sense of approval or satisfaction in the context of the father's joy. This choice indicates a broader interpretation of the father's emotional state.
In contrast, the translation of יָ֭גִיל as ἐκτρέφει (nourishes) implies a nurturing aspect to the father's joy, expanding the understanding of his relationship with his son.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 23:24 says that a father will rejoice when he has a righteous son and will take delight in a wise son. This highlights the joy that comes from having children who embody good character and wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the father feels pride and happiness when his son lives justly and upholds moral values.
A wise son brings joy and satisfaction to his father, as it reflects well on the family and indicates good upbringing.
This relationship is important because it illustrates the emotional bonds and expectations within families, particularly regarding moral and intellectual development.
Righteousness is a key quality that a father values in his son, as it signifies a life aligned with ethical and moral standards.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What qualities do I admire in my parents, and how can I reflect those qualities in my own life?
- In what ways can I encourage wisdom and righteousness in my relationships with others?
- How do I express joy in the accomplishments of those I care about?
- What does it mean for me to be a source of joy for my family?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 23:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice,.... Or "in rejoicing shall rejoice" (d), in his son; not that he is rich, but righteous, truly righteous, internally and externally; having the
Read John Gill on Proverbs 23 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice - (Proverbs 23:15.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 23 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.Ver. 24. The father of the righteous, &c.]
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 23 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him.
Tyndale line
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
The father of the righteous shall greatly reioyce, and hee that begetteth a wise childe, shall haue ioy of him.
Strictly literal
The father of a righteous [man] shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise [son] shall have joy of him:
The father of the righteous rejoiceth greatly, The begetter of the wise rejoiceth in him.
The father of the righteous rejoices greatly, || The begetter of the wise rejoices in him.
The father of the righteous will be greatly glad, and he that begetteth a wise child will have joy through him.
The father of the righteous person will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will be glad in him.
From the Latin
The father of the just rejoiceth greatly: he that hath begotten a wise son, shall have joy in him.
Simplified
Children who do right make their fathers very happy; a wise son brings joy to his father.
The father of the upright man will be glad, and he who has a wise child will have joy because of him.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched. This consistency underscores the shared understanding of the father's joy in both texts.
גִּ֣יל יָ֭גִיל אֲבִ֣י צַדִּ֑יק וְיוֹלֵ֥ד חָ֝כָ֗ם יִשְׂמַח בּֽוֹ׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 23:24
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
גִּיל (giyl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad, often associated with a sense of excitement or levity. It can also imply trembling, particularly from fear. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of spinning around due to strong emotions, covering both joy and fear.
[גִּיל] vb. rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
Qal
rejoice
tremble
base
H1523 גִּיל rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
1523 giyl gheel
or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly,
to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion),
i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:--be glad, joy,
be joyful, rejoice.
גִּיל (gil) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, exult, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to tremble (from fear)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · infinitive absoluteHVqaa
גִּיל (giyl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad, often associated with a sense of excitement or levity. It can also imply trembling, particularly from fear. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of spinning around due to strong emotions, covering both joy and fear.
[גִּיל] vb. rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
Qal
rejoice
tremble
base
H1523 גִּיל rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
1523 giyl gheel
or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly,
to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion),
i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:--be glad, joy,
be joyful, rejoice.
גִּיל (gil) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, exult, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to tremble (from fear)
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
אָב (av) means 'father' and encompasses various roles such as the literal father of an individual, God as the father of His people, and the head of a household or clan. It can also refer to an ancestor, originator of a profession, or a figure of respect and protection. Notably, it can imply a ruler or chief in later contexts.
אָב 1101 n.m. father
father of individual
of God as father of his people
head of household, family or clan
ancestor
originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
fig. of producer, generator
fig. of benevolence & protection
term of respect & honor
specif., ruler, chief (late)
base
H1 אָב father . father of individual
. of God as father of his people
. head of household, family or clan
. ancestor
. originator or patron of a class, profession, or art
. fig. of producer, generator
. fig. of benevolence & protection
. term of respect & honor
. specif., ruler, chief (late)
1 'ab awb
a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or
figurative and remote application):--chief,
(fore-)father(-less), X patrimony, principal. Compare names
in "Abi-".
אָב (av) — father.
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)
אָב (av) — (Huram)-abi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.7.13; also called Huram-abi (KJV: "Huram my father's") at 2Ch.2.13; 4.16;
Combined with chi.ram (חִירָם "Hiram" H2438H)
אָב (av) — father of.
The father of Gibeon, also known as Abiel - a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The term "son" is used in Scripture language to imply almost any kind of descent or succession, as ben shanah , "son of a year," i.e. a year old; ben kesheth , "son of a bow," i.e. an arrow. The word bar is often found in the New Testament in composition, as Bar-timaeus.
Sometimes denotes a grandson, or any remote descendant, Ge 29:5 2Sa 19:24. At other times a son by adoption is meant, Ge 48:5; or by law, Ru 4:17; or by education, 1Sa 3:6 20:35; or by conversion, as Titus was Paul’s "son father the common faith," Tit 1:4. And again it denotes a mental or moral resemblance, etc., Jud 19:22 Ps 89:6 Isa 57:3 Ac 13:10. In a…
→ FIGURATIVE
Of a person' s relation to God Ex 4:22
See ADOPTION
See GOD, FATHERHOOD OF
See JESUS, SON OF GOD
See JESUS, SON OF MAN
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--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).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
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)
V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vqrmsa
The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.
חָכָם adj. wise
skilful in technical work
wise in the administration of affairs
shrewd, crafty, cunning
pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
prudent
wise, ethically and religiously
base
H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work
. wise in the administration of affairs
. shrewd, crafty, cunning
. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
. prudent
. wise, ethically and religiously
2450 chakam khaw-kawm'
from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or
artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),
man).
see HEBREW for 02449
חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.
1) wise, wise (man)
1a) skilful (in technical work)
1b) wise (in administration)
1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle
1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)
1e) prudent
1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The term "son" is used in Scripture language to imply almost any kind of descent or succession, as ben shanah , "son of a year," i.e. a year old; ben kesheth , "son of a bow," i.e. an arrow. The word bar is often found in the New Testament in composition, as Bar-timaeus.
Sometimes denotes a grandson, or any remote descendant, Ge 29:5 2Sa 19:24. At other times a son by adoption is meant, Ge 48:5; or by law, Ru 4:17; or by education, 1Sa 3:6 20:35; or by conversion, as Titus was Paul’s "son father the common faith," Tit 1:4. And again it denotes a mental or moral resemblance, etc., Jud 19:22 Ps 89:6 Isa 57:3 Ac 13:10. In a…
→ FIGURATIVE
Of a person' s relation to God Ex 4:22
See ADOPTION
See GOD, FATHERHOOD OF
See JESUS, SON OF GOD
See JESUS, SON OF MAN
שָׂמַח (samach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It can express joy in everyday life, religious contexts, or even exultation. The verb has different forms: Qal (to rejoice), Piel (to cause to rejoice), and Hiphil (to make glad). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to joy and merriment.
שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ 154 vb. rejoice, be glad
Qal 126
in common life
rejoice religiously
subj. י׳
Pi. cause to rejoice, gladden
Hiph. = Pi.
base
H8055 שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ rejoice, be glad
8055 samach saw-makh'
a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e.
(figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or
gleesome:--cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful),
be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.
שָׂמַח (sa.mach) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)
1a3) to rejoice (religiously)
1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
שָׂמַח (samach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It can express joy in everyday life, religious contexts, or even exultation. The verb has different forms: Qal (to rejoice), Piel (to cause to rejoice), and Hiphil (to make glad). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to joy and merriment.
שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ 154 vb. rejoice, be glad
Qal 126
in common life
rejoice religiously
subj. י׳
Pi. cause to rejoice, gladden
Hiph. = Pi.
base
H8055 שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ rejoice, be glad
8055 samach saw-makh'
a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e.
(figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or
gleesome:--cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful),
be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.
שָׂמַח (sa.mach) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)
1a3) to rejoice (religiously)
1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms