A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
Proverbs 17:25
What does Proverbs 17:25 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Proverbs 17:25
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that a foolish child brings a unique kind of pain, described as "bitterness," specifically to their mother. This word, found only here, suggests a deep, lasting sorrow that eclipses even the intense pain of childbirth, pointing to the profound emotional cost of a child's destructive choices.
A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse sits within a collection of wisdom sayings that contrast the path of the wise with the path of the foolish. It's a repeated observation, emphasizing the deep emotional pain a disobedient child inflicts, not just on their father but specifically on their mother, amplifying the sorrow of his upbringing. The subsequent verses continue this theme, warning against the injustice of punishing the good and the recklessness of striking down leaders who uphold righteousness.
Ever felt a deep ache watching someone you love struggle or make poor choices? This verse speaks to a profound, specific kind of pain.
Proverbs powerfully describes the deep emotional toll a child's foolishness takes on their parents. It's not just disappointment; it's a 'grief' (a word that can mean vexation or oppression) and 'bitterness' (a sharp, lasting sorrow).
A Mother's Deeper Sorrow
While a father feels deep grief, the text highlights an even sharper pain for the mother. This isn't to diminish a father's feelings, but perhaps to acknowledge the unique, often more emotionally exposed, bond a mother has through pregnancy and birth. Her 'bitterness' can be especially acute, a stark contrast to the 'bitter pains' of childbirth – a cruel twist where the source of life becomes a source of deep sorrow.
A Pain That Lingers
This isn't a fleeting annoyance. The words chosen suggest a weariness and a deep, settled unhappiness that can plague parents who have foolish children. It’s a sorrow that impacts their very well-being.
What does 'foolish' really mean in the context of Proverbs? It's more than just a lack of intelligence.
In Proverbs, 'foolishness' isn't simply ignorance; it's a moral and practical failing. A foolish person is characterized by:
Ask a follow-up
A Source of Constant Trouble
When a child embodies these traits, they become a 'grief' and 'bitterness.' Their actions create ongoing distress, shame, and deep sorrow for those who love them most. It's a persistent hardship, not a single incident. This repeated behavior drains the joy from a parent's life and can lead to a profound sense of helplessness.
Understand the original words
ka'as · Hebrew Noun
A deep, heavy sense of sadness or distress, often used specifically regarding the pain parents feel due to the waywardness of their children.
merirut · Hebrew Noun
A state of severe emotional or spiritual pain; it describes a deeply unpleasant or stinging condition, often born of disappointment or relational conflict.
This verse echoes Proverbs 17:25, stating 'A foolish son is a grief to his mother,' highlighting the specific, profound sorrow children can bring to their parents through foolishness.
Proverbs 15:20This passage is almost identical, emphasizing that 'A wise son gladdens his father, but a foolish man despises his mother,' reinforcing the deep emotional impact of children's choices on their parents.
Luke 15:11-24The parable of the prodigal son vividly illustrates this verse's principle, showing the immense grief and 'bitterness' the father experienced due to his son's foolish choices, before experiencing overwhelming joy at his return.
Genesis 27:46Rebekah’s statement, 'I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth,' reveals how the foolish or wicked actions of children (in this case, Esau's marriages) can bring deep sorrow and bitterness to a mother.
barnesProverbs 17:25: "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him."
Compare Proverbs 17:21 . Here is added a reference to the sorrow which the folly of a child brings especially to the mother.
bensonProverbs 17:25: "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him."
Proverbs 17:25-26 . A foolish son, &c. — This was said before, Proverbs 15:20 , 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 conduct themselves wisely and dutifully toward their parents, as they would not be thought to be unnatural and inhuman, and parents to educate their children prudently and religiously, at…
The verse highlights that a foolish child brings a unique kind of pain, described as "bitterness," specifically to their mother. This word, found only here, suggests a deep, lasting sorrow that eclipses even the intense pain of childbirth, pointing to the profound emotional cost of a child's destructive choices.
This verse sits within a collection of wisdom sayings that contrast the path of the wise with the path of the foolish. It's a repeated observation, emphasizing the deep emotional pain a disobedient child inflicts, not just on their father but specifically on their mother, amplifying the sorrow of his upbringing. The subsequent verses continue this theme, warning against the injustice of punishing the good and the recklessness of striking down leaders who uphold righteousness.
This verse sits within a collection of wisdom sayings that contrast the path of the wise with the path of the foolish. It's a repeated observation, emphasizing the deep emotional pain a disobedient child inflicts, not just on their father but specifically on their mother, amplifying the sorrow of his upbringing. The subsequent verses continue this theme, warning against the injustice of punishing the good and the recklessness of striking down leaders who uphold righteousness.
"A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." — The verse highlights that a foolish child brings a unique kind of pain, described as "bitterness," specifically to their mother. This word, found only here, suggests a deep, lasting sorrow that eclip…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026