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 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 January 24, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
– Proverbs 28:24
Robbing parents was a serious violation of the law (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). The act pointed to in the saying is probably not the nighttime B&E larceny variety. The idea is likely more along the line of the son who is a
waster in Proverbs 19:26. He may squander his parents’ wealth (Luke 15:11-32), and refuse to support them in old age (Mark 7:10-13). He may be a perennial moocher, draining his parents resources (Proverbs 18:9). The middle line of the saying reveals a hardened conscience, like that condemned by Jesus in the practice of
corban. The result is becoming a
destroyer, and Paul said worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:4, 8), which is another shameful association (Proverbs 28:7).
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 March 6, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
– Proverbs 22:6
The text of this proverb is difficult and translations and interpretations vary.[ref]Much could be said about the issues with this verse in terms of translations and the historical survey of interpretations. Commentaries present a range of options beyond the scope of this commentary to explore. I recommend the book, “God’s Wisdom in Proverbs” by Dan Phillips for further study. Phillips has an extensive discussion of this verse and his book is one of the best resources on Proverbs to own. You can find it
here.[/ref] The proverb is clear enough when we keep the teaching of Proverbs as a whole in mind. The word for
train up means to initiate, inaugurate, dedicate, or train. The word for
way is common in Proverbs to refer to the course of one’s life. There are no words for
he should in the Hebrew and the word for
go literally means mouth. It is used figuratively for speech. John Gill rendered it literally: “according to the mouth of his way.” The word here indicates the beginning, or entrance. The sense of the first phrase is, “Start a child in his own way.”
The proverb is a warning to parents about neglecting the instruction and correction of their children to drive the natural foolishness from them (Proverbs 19:18; 20:30; 22:15; 23:14). It is neither a guarantee nor a promise that following certain steps with your children ensures they will mature to be wise. Wisdom warns parents not to leave their children to their own devices and wants (Proverbs 10:1, 5; 17:21, 25; 29:15). Parents must diligently bring up their children to be wise, but parents cannot make their children wise. A fool in Proverbs is one who rejects wisdom and goes his own way (Proverbs 1:30-32; 13:1; 15:20). A fool will also bear the consequences of his own folly (Proverbs 9:12; 19:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 4, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
– Proverbs 20:20
Incorrigible children were worthy of death by the law (Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9). The law demanded the honoring of parents by children, as also in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:1-3). We infer from the law that honor is due to parents first because of their office and not their person. The modern, western ideal is to judge whether the person is worthy of honor or not. That is not in question in law. Children can bring shame to their parents by laziness (Proverbs 10:5), pride (Proverbs 11:2), failing to live up to their teaching (Proverbs 17:2), and squandering their wealth (Proverbs 19:26). Children may also sin more seriously by despising, mocking, and cursing their parents (Proverbs 15:20; 20:20; 30:11, 17). The consequence is serious in the image of their
lamp being
put out in obscure darkness. This imagery is used elsewhere to speak of judgment and death for those who refuse wisdom (Proverbs 13:9; 24:20).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
– Proverbs 20:11
The word for
child covers from an infant to an adolescent, and is translated
young man in the fatherly addresses that begin the book (Proverb 1:4; 7:7). Here the context is supportive for understanding a young child is meant, and this fits with the later use of this word as well (Proverbs 22:6, 15; 23:13; 29:15). If we place this proverb with these other parenting proverbs, then the proverb instructs parents in discernment. Parents must interpret the actions of their child and either reinforce it if good, or correct it if bad. Motives and character are revealed in the actions of a child, just as with adults. Foolish parents turn a blind eye to what is behind the action and deal only with the action.
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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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