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there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that begetteth a fool <i>doeth it</i> to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who begets a scoffer <i>does so</i> to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He who fathers a fool <i>does so</i> to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who begets a fool <i>does so</i> to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who begets a fool <i>does so</i> to his grief, And the father of a wicked fool is not glad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's never pleasant to be the parent of a fool and have nothing but pain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The parent of a fool has grief, and the father of a godless fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There is nothing but sadness and sorrow for parents whose children do foolish things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow— the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever is begetting a fool has affliction for it, "" Indeed, the father of a fool does not rejoice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The foolish one was born for sorrow to himself, and the father of the foolish one shall not rejoice.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever conceives a fool has grief; the father of a numskull has no joy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The one who begets a fool gets trouble; the parent of a fool has no joy.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who begets a fool does it to his own shame; his father will have no joy in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that begets a fool, it is to his own shame, neither will his father rejoice in him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a churl hath no joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/17-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3451" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yō·lêḏ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">A man fathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: kə·sîl (N-ms) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">a fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/8424.htm" title="8424: lə·ṯū·ḡāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Grief. From yagah; depression; concretely a grief.">to his own grief;</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇî (N-msc) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">the father</a> <a href="/hebrew/5036.htm" title="5036: nā·ḇāl (Adj-ms) -- Foolish, senseless. From nabel; stupid; wicked.">of a fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">has no</a> <a href="/hebrew/8055.htm" title="8055: yiś·maḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Rejoice, be glad. A primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. be blithe or gleesome.">joy.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm">Proverbs 10:1</a></span><br />The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-20.htm">Proverbs 15:20</a></span><br />A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13</a></span><br />A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-24.htm">Proverbs 23:24-25</a></span><br />The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. / May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-15.htm">Proverbs 29:15</a></span><br />A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-17.htm">Proverbs 29:17</a></span><br />Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:18-19</a></span><br />I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. / And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-12.htm">1 Samuel 2:12-17</a></span><br />Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD / or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling / and plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. And the priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">2 Samuel 18:33</a></span><br />The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34-35</a></span><br />When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-46.htm">Genesis 27:46</a></span><br />Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-11.htm">Luke 15:11-32</a></span><br />Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-4</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-20.htm">Colossians 3:20-21</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. / Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Hebrews 12:5-11</a></span><br />And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy.</p><p class="hdg">that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-25.htm">Proverbs 17:25</a></b></br> A foolish son <i>is</i> a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm">Proverbs 10:1</a></b></br> The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son <i>is</i> the heaviness of his mother.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-20.htm">Proverbs 15:20</a></b></br> A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.</p><p class="hdg">hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-15.htm">Proverbs 23:15,16</a></b></br> My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/2-3.htm">2 Corinthians 2:3</a></b></br> And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is <i>the joy</i> of you all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/3_john/1-4.htm">3 John 1:4</a></b></br> I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/14-13.htm">Affliction</a> <a href="/job/38-28.htm">Begetteth</a> <a href="/genesis/11-25.htm">Begetting</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Churl</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-32.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-2.htm">Grieves</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-30.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-30.htm">Rejoiceth</a> <a href="/job/30-8.htm">Sires</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-1.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Vile</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Affliction</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-24.htm">Begetteth</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-10.htm">Begetting</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Churl</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-15.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-25.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Grieves</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-15.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-15.htm">Rejoiceth</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-24.htm">Sires</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Vile</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A man fathers a fool to his own grief;</b><br>This phrase highlights the deep sorrow and disappointment a parent experiences when their child acts foolishly. In biblical terms, a "fool" is not merely someone lacking intelligence but someone who rejects wisdom and moral instruction, often leading to sinful behavior. The grief mentioned here is profound, as it reflects the cultural and familial expectations of the time, where children were seen as a continuation of the family legacy and a source of honor. The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts wisdom and folly, emphasizing the importance of raising children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Proverbs 22:6</a>). The grief is not just personal but also social, as a foolish child could bring shame upon the family within the community.<p><b>the father of a fool has no joy.</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the absence of joy in the life of a parent whose child chooses the path of folly. In ancient Israelite society, children were expected to honor their parents and uphold family values, as seen in the commandment to honor one's father and mother (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). A foolish child disrupts this expectation, leading to a lack of joy and fulfillment for the parent. The absence of joy is not only emotional but also spiritual, as the parent's hopes for their child's righteous living and contribution to the community are dashed. This sentiment is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/proverbs/10.htm">Proverbs 10:1</a>, which states, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother." The contrast between wisdom and folly is a recurring theme, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of wisdom in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect obedience and brings joy to the Father.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a></b><br>Represents a parent or guardian who has invested time, love, and resources into raising a child.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fool.htm">The Fool</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who rejects wisdom and understanding, often leading to moral and spiritual failure.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_family_unit.htm">The Family Unit</a></b><br>The broader context of family dynamics and the impact of individual behavior on family harmony and reputation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wisdom_in_parenting.htm">The Importance of Wisdom in Parenting</a></b><br>Parents are called to instill wisdom and godly values in their children to prevent the grief associated with foolishness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_foolishness.htm">The Consequences of Foolishness</a></b><br>Foolish behavior not only affects the individual but also brings sorrow to their family, highlighting the communal impact of personal choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_discipline_and_guidance.htm">The Role of Discipline and Guidance</a></b><br>Consistent, loving discipline and guidance are crucial in steering children away from foolishness and towards wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_wisdom.htm">Seeking God’s Wisdom</a></b><br>Parents should seek God’s wisdom in prayer and scripture to guide their children effectively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_and_redemption.htm">Hope and Redemption</a></b><br>Even if a child strays, there is hope for redemption and restoration through God’s grace, as seen in the account of the Prodigal Son.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_you_repent_and_be_baptized.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on feelings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/repay_evil_with_evil.htm">Should we repay evil with evil? (Proverbs 24:29 vs. Romans 12:17)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_26_11_clash_with_compassion.htm">Proverbs 26:11: Does comparing a fool to a dog returning to its vomit present a historical or cultural context that might clash with more compassionate teachings elsewhere?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._21_15-17_address_fairness.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17: How does the inheritance rule for a hated wife's son reconcile with other biblical teachings on fairness and favoritism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">He that begetteth a fool </span>(<span class= "ital">khesil</span>)<span class= "ital">.--</span>See above, on <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm" title="For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.">Proverbs 1:32</a>.<p><span class= "bld">The father of a fool </span>(<span class= "ital">n?bh?l</span>)<span class= "ital">.--</span>See above, on <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm" title="Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.">Proverbs 17:7</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow</span> (comp. ver. 25). The words for "fool" in the two clauses are different. Here it is <span class="accented">kesil</span>, which implies bold, self-confident folly, the worst form of the vies; in the second hemistich it is <span class="accented">nabal</span>, which rather denotes dulness and stupidity, a want of mental power. A conceited, offensive fool causes infinite trouble to his father, both from his need of constant correction, and the watchfulness required to repair the consequences of his foolish actions. There is also the grief at seeing instruction and warning thrown away on a worthless object. Septuagint, "The heart of a fool is a pain to him who possesseth it." <span class="cmt_word">The father of a fool hath no joy.</span> The contrast in the case of a good son is seen in <a href="/proverbs/15-20.htm">Proverbs 15:20</a> and Proverbs 23:24. The LXX. adds a clause from <a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm">Proverbs 10:1</a>, with the view of improving the parallelism, "But a prudent son rejoiceth his mother." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/17-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A man fathers</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹלֵ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(yō·lêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a fool</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּ֭סִיל</span> <span class="translit">(kə·sîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stupid fellow, dullard, fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to his own grief;</span><br /><span class="heb">לְת֣וּגָה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṯū·ḡāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8424.htm">Strong's 8424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Depression, a grief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the father</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a fool</span><br /><span class="heb">נָבָֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḇāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5036.htm">Strong's 5036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Foolish, senseless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">joy.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִ֝שְׂמַ֗ח</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·maḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8055.htm">Strong's 8055: </a> </span><span class="str2">To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/17-21.htm">Proverbs 17:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/17-21.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:21 He who becomes the father (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/17-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 17:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>