Proverbs 19:26
He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While "wasteth" can mean squandering money, it also carries the powerful sense of "violently mistreating" or destroying someone's spirit and well-being. So, this verse isn't just about financial ruin, but about inflicting deep emotional damage on parents through cruel actions, which brings profound shame.
This proverb appears in a section of Proverbs that contrasts the wise and the foolish, often highlighting the disastrous outcomes of foolishness. It speaks to the breakdown of family honor, describing a son who financially ruins his father and drives his mother away. Such behavior is depicted as the ultimate cause of shame and disgrace, not just for himself but for his entire family.
When Proverbs speaks of a son 'wasting' his father, it's not just about money. What deeper forms of ruin are at play?
The Hebrew word used here, 'shadad,' carries a sense of 'spoiling' or 'devastating.' While it can certainly refer to squandering a father's wealth through reckless living, the commentaries suggest a broader meaning. It can encompass damaging his father's reputation, health, and peace of mind. This isn't just about financial loss; it's about inflicting deep emotional and spiritual wounds on a parent. Imagine the heartbreak of a father whose son's destructive choices bring not only financial ruin but also profound sorrow and shame, aging him prematurely.
The verse speaks of 'chasing away' a mother. What does this act of expulsion truly represent?
To 'chase away' a mother implies more than just a physical departure. It signifies creating an environment so toxic and repellent that she cannot bear to be present. This could be due to the son's violent behavior, his disrespect, or the sheer shame his actions bring. The commentaries note that this can even mean making the home so unbearable that she is driven out, or alienating her affection so completely that she 'shuns' his presence. It represents a profound severing of the natural, loving bond between a child and parent, turning refuge into rejection.
This son 'brings shame and reproach.' Who is ultimately shamed by his actions?
The verse is clear: the son himself is a source of deep shame and reproach. However, the commentaries emphasize that this shame extends far beyond the individual. It 'brings reproach' upon his entire family and especially his parents. His conduct becomes a public spectacle, a stain on their name and reputation. In ancient societies, family honor was paramount, and a wayward son could bring immense disgrace. This isn't just personal failure; it's a communal disaster, a betrayal of the legacy and respect his parents worked to build.
Understand the original words
shodēd · Hebrew Verb (Participle)
Acts of aggression, mistreatment, or perversion of right standing, often used to describe severe moral failure against others, particularly those in authority.
’āḇ · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the foundational human relationship, implying honor, obedience, and support, especially in one's old age.
bûšâ · Hebrew Noun
An expression of public disgrace or dishonor, often resulting from foolish or sinful behavior that violates covenantal or societal norms.
ḥerpâ · Hebrew Noun
A term for public contempt or disgrace, frequently used in the context of one's reputation or character being damaged due to ungodly conduct.
This verse highlights the contrast between a wise son who brings joy and a foolish son who brings shame, directly echoing the sentiment in Proverbs 19:26 about a son causing disgrace to his parents.
Proverbs 28:7This passage emphasizes that a foolish son grieves his father and a scoundrel brings poverty, which aligns with the idea of a son 'wasting' his father's resources and causing distress.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21This passage describes the consequences for a rebellious and stubborn son who dishonors his parents, providing a legal and societal framework for the kind of shameful behavior described in Proverbs 19:26.
Matthew 15:4Jesus quotes this Old Testament commandment, 'Honor your father and your mother,' reminding us that failing to do so, as described in Proverbs 19:26, is a direct violation of God's heart.
bensonProverbs 19:26: "He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach."
Proverbs 19:26 . He that wasteth his father — That is, his father’s estate, by unjust or riotous courses; and chaseth away his mother — Causes her to avoid and abhor his presence and society, and to go from the house where he is; is a son that causeth shame — Both to himself, and to his parents and family. But this verse ought rather to be rendered, A son that causeth s…
pulpitProverbs 19:26: "He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach."
Verse 26-ch. 22:16. - Fourth section of this collection. Verse 26. - He that wasteth his father. The verb shadad, used here and in Proverbs 24:15, may be taken in the sense of "to spoil," "to deprive of property;" but it is better to adopt a more general application, and to assign to it the meaning of "to maltreat," whether in person or property. Chaseth away his mother…
While "wasteth" can mean squandering money, it also carries the powerful sense of "violently mistreating" or destroying someone's spirit and well-being. So, this verse isn't just about financial ruin, but about inflicting deep emotional damage on parents through cruel actions, which brings profound shame.
This proverb appears in a section of Proverbs that contrasts the wise and the foolish, often highlighting the disastrous outcomes of foolishness. It speaks to the breakdown of family honor, describing a son who financially ruins his father and drives his mother away. Such behavior is depicted as the ultimate cause of shame and disgrace, not just for himself but for his entire family.
This proverb appears in a section of Proverbs that contrasts the wise and the foolish, often highlighting the disastrous outcomes of foolishness. It speaks to the breakdown of family honor, describing a son who financially ruins his father and drives his mother away. Such behavior is depicted as the ultimate cause of shame and disgrace, not just for himself but for his entire family.
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"He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach." — While "wasteth" can mean squandering money, it also carries the powerful sense of "violently mistreating" or destroying someone's spirit and well-being. So, this verse isn't just about financial ruin…
