Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 17:25 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
" A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare "
Proverbs 17:25
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
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Wicked children are a grief to both parents. They stir up anger in the father, because they despise his authority, but they bring sorrow and bitterness to the mother, because they misuse her tenderness. Since both parents suffer together, they should also comfort each other together and try to make the burden easier to bear. The mother should soften the father’s anger, and the father should lighten the mother’s grief.
Solomon repeats this point often, likely because it was true in his own life. Even so, it is a common sorrow in many families.
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From This Chapter
Proverbs 17:1
"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife."
Proverbs 17:2
"A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren."
Proverbs 17:3
"The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts."
Proverbs 17:4
"A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue."
Proverbs 17:5
"Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished."
Proverbs 17:6
"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."
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