Bible/Proverbs/15

Proverbs 15:20

15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. is made: Heb. is raised up as a causey
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

KJV

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A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.

15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. destitute: Heb. void of heart

What does Proverbs 15:20 mean?

Proverbs 15:20 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include חָכָם (châkâm), בֵּן (bên), שָׂמַח (sâmach). It connects to 7 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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A
wiseחָכָםchâkâm/khaw-kawm'/H2450wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
sonבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
maketh
a
gladשָׂמַחsâmach/saw-makh'/H8055probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
father:אָבʼâb/awb/H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
but
a
foolishכְּסִילkᵉçîyl/kes-eel'/H3684properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
manאָדָםʼâdâm/aw-dawm'/H120ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
despisethבָּזָהbâzâh/baw-zaw'/H959to disesteem
his
mother.אֵםʼêm/ame/H517a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))

Commentary on Proverbs 15:20

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 15:20
Observe here, 1. To the praise of good children, that they are the joy of their parents, who ought to have joy of them, having taken so much care and pains about them. And it adds much to the satisfaction of those that are good if they have reason to think that they have been a comfort to their parents in their declining years, when evil days come. 2. To the shame of wicked children, that by their wickedness they put contempt upon their parents, slight their authority, and make an ill requital for their kindness: A foolish son despises his mother, that had most sorrow with him and perhaps had too much indulged him, which makes his sin in despising her the more sinful and her sorrow the more sorrowful. 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisd

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 25:12

Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

1 Chronicles 5:10

And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead. throughout: Heb. upon all the face of the east

1 Chronicles 5:19

And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.

1 Chronicles 5:20

And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

2 Chronicles 20:1

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2 Chronicles 20:10

And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

2 Chronicles 20:11

Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 15:20.

1 Kings 5:7

And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

Genesis 10:21

Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 20:12

And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Genesis 27:14

And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

Genesis 3:20

And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Eve: Heb. Chavah: that is Living

Genesis 4:25

And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. Seth: Heb. Sheth: that is Appointed, or, Put

Genesis 6:2

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 15:20 say?

Proverbs 15:20 (King James Version) reads: "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother."

Is Proverbs 15:20 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 15:20 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 15:20, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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