Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 19:26 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. "
Proverbs 19:26
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
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Create Free AccountBible Guided Commentary
Here is the sin of a wasteful son. Besides the harm he does to himself, he wrongs his good parents. He is deeply ungrateful to those who gave him life and have spent so much care and effort on him. That makes his sin much worse and shows how offensive it is in the sight of God and people.
He wastes his father’s wealth, the estate that should have supported him in old age. He wastes his father’s strength as well, because grief breaks his heart and brings his gray head down to the grave in sorrow. He drives his mother away by turning her affection from him, something that brings her much distress and unease. His rudeness and stubbornness make her weary of the home and glad to leave for a little peace. Then, after he has spent everything, he even puts her out of doors.
This is also the shame of a wasteful son. It is a shame to himself that he should act so foolishly and against nature. He makes himself hateful to everyone. It is also a shame to his parents and family, who are looked down on, even if the blame is not truly theirs, as though they had not taught him better or had failed him in some way.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 19:1
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool."
Proverbs 19:2
"It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way."
Proverbs 19:3
"The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD."
Proverbs 19:4
"Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend."
Proverbs 19:5
"A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free."
Proverbs 19:6
"Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts."
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