Posted by Jeff Short on July 28, 2022 · Leave a Comment
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
– Proverbs 30:17
This saying continues the theme of the proud and rebellious generation in this collection. The image is vivid and grotesque. The eye is personified as an arrogant disrespectful youth being plucked and eaten by ravens and vultures. The Torah promised long life to those who honor their parents (Exodus 20:12), and here the curse is being cut off and fulfills the “eye for eye” justice demand of the old covenant law (Exodus 21:24). Being food for the carrion birds likely assumes the penalty for incorrigible children has been carried out (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).
Posted by Jeff Short on June 10, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Correct they son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
– Proverbs 29:17
The word for
correct can include the idea of chastening, discipline, or instruction. The word for
rest means settled, and we might say ease of mind. The word for
delight typically refers to pleasurable delicacies, but can be pleasure or joy more broadly than food. The saying is the reverse image of the saying in verse 15, where the child was “left to himself.” When a son, or child, is corrected, or receives wisdom, parents are given relief and joy.
Posted by Jeff Short on June 5, 2020 · Leave a Comment
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
– Proverbs 29:15
Verses 15-21 have some interspersed sayings pertaining to children and servants. This saying is in line with others in Proverbs concerning child training (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14). The saying joins the
rod and
reproof as instruments to
give wisdom. On balance, the primary tools parents should use is their law (Proverbs 1:8; 3:1; 4:2; 6:20; 28:7). The last line gives the alternative as bringing
shame. All parents can do is correct foolishness and instruct in wisdom, but that doesn’t guarantee a child will be wise (Proverbs 13:1; 15:5; 17:10; 27:22). To leave off the effort will more often than not produce shame.
Posted by Jeff Short on May 2, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
– Proverbs 23:25
This verse finishes the saying on honoring parents. The good outcome of children acquiring wisdom is the rejoicing of the parents. Both father and mother rejoice as opposed to grieving a foolish child (Proverbs 17:25).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
– Proverbs 23:24
The word for
righteous means just in conduct and character. Such a child brings joy and rejoicing to his parents. Joy and rejoicing in children, as well as the grim alternative, is a steady encouragement and exhortation to parental wisdom in raising children throughout Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 23:15-16). Children who come to maturity with wisdom are a great delight to parents. The delight is also reciprocal, mature and wise children glory in their parents (Proverbs 17:6). Wise parents lovingly, patiently, and persistently teach their “law” to their children as they grow for the purpose of equipping them to walk in wisdom securely and honorably (Proverbs 1:9; 3:1, 23; 4:8-9, 12; 7:2-3). It is only a foolish and rebellious child who wants his parents to get out of his way (Proverbs 19:26; 30:11, 17; Luke 15:12-13).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 28, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
– Proverbs 23:22
Verses 22-25 form a saying on honoring parents, or being a wise son. The word for
hearken means to listen, to understand. The exhortation to listen extends even to when the
mother is
old. The word for
despise means to disrespect, or hold in contempt. The warning here is against quickly dismissing the counsel of parents (Deuteronomy 27:16; Proverbs 30:11). Honoring parents is a lifelong command (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 22, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
– Proverbs 23:16
The word for
reins literally means kidneys, but references to internal organs or parts, such as bones, are intended to speak of being deeply affected within. Rejoicing of the
reins speaks of a deep joy and rejoicing of the whole man. The word for
right things means even and straight. It is used figuratively to speak of moral uprightness. The parent rejoices when the child grows to speak
right things, because this means he has learned wisdom. Speaking
right things is the essential cry of wisdom in Proverbs 8:6. Those who have been instructed in wisdom, speak wise things (Proverbs 15:2, 28). Even the Servant of Yahweh speaks wisdom with “the tongue of the learned” (Isaiah 50:4). True wisdom can only be spoken from a heart possessing true wisdom (Proverbs 12:17; 14:5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
– Proverbs 23:15
Verses 15 and 16 form a saying reminiscent of the fatherly addresses in the first nine chapters of this book. The word for
heart is common and can refer to the mind, emotions, the inner being, or even the whole man. If the son’s heart is wise, he has received the instruction and correction of wisdom (Proverbs 1:10; 2:1; 4:1). When children grow up in wisdom, the parents rejoice (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 23:24-25; 29:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
– Proverbs 23:14
Verse 14 continues the saying on the necessity and benefit of corporal punishment. Words are not enough to dislodge folly (Proverbs 22:15). The word for
deliver means to snatch away and gives a picture of rescue. It’s easy to connect this deliverance with the design of wise instruction and correction to deliver from evil men and strange women who are on the way to
sheol (Proverbs 1:29-33; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18).
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Next Page »
Proverbs 30:17
Posted by Jeff Short on July 28, 2022 · Leave a Comment
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
This saying continues the theme of the proud and rebellious generation in this collection. The image is vivid and grotesque. The eye is personified as an arrogant disrespectful youth being plucked and eaten by ravens and vultures. The Torah promised long life to those who honor their parents (Exodus 20:12), and here the curse is being cut off and fulfills the “eye for eye” justice demand of the old covenant law (Exodus 21:24). Being food for the carrion birds likely assumes the penalty for incorrigible children has been carried out (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).– Proverbs 30:17
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