Proverbs 10:1

KJV

¶ The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

The proverbs {H4912} of Solomon {H8010}. A wise {H2450} son {H1121} maketh a glad {H8055} father {H1}: but a foolish {H3684} son {H1121} is the heaviness {H8424} of his mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The proverbs of Shlomo: A wise son is a joy to his father, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

Berean Standard Bible

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

American Standard Version

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:1 serves as the programmatic introduction to the main collection of Solomonic proverbs, succinctly establishing the book's central theme: the profound, antithetical consequences of wisdom versus folly, particularly as manifested in the family unit. It posits that a child's character and choices directly impact their parents' emotional well-being, bringing joy to a father through wisdom and sorrow to a mother through foolishness, thereby setting the stage for the practical, moral, and theological instructions that follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10:1 marks a significant structural shift in the book of Proverbs, transitioning from the longer, sapiential discourses and parental exhortations of chapters 1-9 to the core collection of individual, often antithetical, maxims (Proverbs 10:1-22:16). Unlike the preceding chapters, which explore wisdom as a personified entity and offer extended arguments for its pursuit, this section primarily consists of two-part proverbs, where the second line typically contrasts or completes the thought of the first. This verse, explicitly stating "The proverbs of Solomon," serves as an editorial marker, signaling the commencement of a new, distinct body of wisdom literature attributed to the wise king. Its simple, direct statement of cause and effect—wisdom brings joy, folly brings grief—establishes the pervasive moral framework for the hundreds of subsequent proverbs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the family unit was the foundational institution, crucial for social stability, economic prosperity, and the transmission of religious and cultural heritage. Lineage and the continuation of the family name were paramount. Children were seen as a blessing from God, and their conduct reflected directly on the honor and reputation of their parents and household. Fathers held a primary role in household authority and instruction, while mothers were central to the nurturing and emotional well-being of the children. The wisdom literature, including Proverbs, was a primary means of moral education, designed to prepare young people for responsible adulthood within this societal structure. The emphasis on the son's impact reflects the patriarchal nature of the society, where sons were often the primary inheritors and perpetuators of the family line, though the mother's sorrow underscores the universal emotional investment of both parents.
* **Key Themes:** This foundational verse immediately introduces several key themes that permeate the book of Proverbs and biblical wisdom literature. The most prominent is the stark **contrast between wisdom and folly**, which is not merely intellectual but encompasses moral character, practical discernment, and a reverent attitude towards God. A "wise son" embodies a life lived in accordance with divine principles, while a "foolish son" rejects instruction and lives recklessly, often despising knowledge and the fear of the Lord (cf. [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD")). Secondly, the verse highlights the profound **intergenerational impact of choices**, emphasizing how a child's actions profoundly affect their parents' emotional state, bringing either gladness or sorrow. This underscores the **relational consequences of righteousness and wickedness**, demonstrating that individual moral choices have tangible ripple effects within the immediate family and, by extension, the broader community. The theme of **consequences** is pervasive, illustrating that wisdom leads to positive outcomes and flourishing, while folly inevitably results in negative repercussions and distress, a principle echoed throughout the Solomonic collection (e.g., [Proverbs 11:3](/proverbs/11-3 "Proverbs 11:3 - Integrity Guides the Upright")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Proverbs (Hebrew, _mâshâl'_):** This term, from H4912, refers to a pithy maxim, usually of a metaphorical nature, often a simile or a short discourse. It signifies a concise, authoritative saying that encapsulates a truth or observation about life, morality, or divine order. In this context, it introduces a collection of such sayings designed to impart wisdom and practical guidance.
* **Wise (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** From H2450, this word denotes not merely intellectual knowledge but a comprehensive understanding that includes practical skill, moral discernment, and often, a reverent attitude toward God. A "wise" person is one who lives skillfully and righteously, applying divine truth to daily life, leading to flourishing and well-being.
* **Foolish (Hebrew, _kᵉçîyl'_):** From H3684, this term describes a specific type of fool in Proverbs—one who is dull, stubborn, and morally deficient, often despising wisdom and instruction. This is not simply a lack of intelligence but a willful rejection of sound judgment and a disregard for consequences, leading to self-inflicted harm and distress for others.
* **Heaviness (Hebrew, _tûgâh'_):** From H8424, this word signifies depression of spirits, grief, or sorrow. It conveys a deep emotional burden or vexation. The use of this term emphasizes the profound and painful emotional distress a mother experiences when her son's foolish actions bring shame or ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ The proverbs of Solomon."**: This opening phrase serves as a superscription, identifying the author and the nature of the following collection. It marks the beginning of the main body of Solomonic proverbs (chapters 10-22), distinguishing them from the earlier, more discursive wisdom teachings. The "¶" in the KJV indicates a new paragraph or section.
* **"A wise son maketh a glad father:"**: This clause presents the positive consequence of wisdom. A son who embodies wisdom—demonstrating moral integrity, diligence, and discernment—brings joy and honor to his father. This "gladness" is not merely fleeting happiness but a deep satisfaction and pride derived from seeing one's offspring live a life of virtue and success, reflecting well on the father's instruction and legacy.
* **"but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother."**: This clause introduces the antithetical counterpart, highlighting the negative consequence of folly. A son who acts foolishly—exhibiting recklessness, idleness, or moral depravity—causes deep sorrow and grief to his mother. The specific mention of the mother's "heaviness" (or sorrow) emphasizes her unique emotional vulnerability and profound anguish over a child's destructive path, perhaps reflecting her intimate bond and the personal pain of seeing her efforts seemingly wasted.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:1 is a masterful example of **Antithetical Parallelism**, the most common literary device in the book of Proverbs. This structure presents two contrasting ideas or statements, where the second line expresses the opposite of the first, thereby highlighting the stark difference between wisdom and folly and their respective outcomes. Here, the "wise son" and "glad father" are directly opposed to the "foolish son" and "heaviness of his mother." Furthermore, the verse employs a subtle form of **Synecdoche** or **Merism**, where "father" and "mother" represent the parents collectively, yet their specific mention might also subtly highlight the distinct emotional impacts on each. The father's gladness could be tied to honor and legacy, while the mother's heaviness speaks to a deeper, more visceral sorrow, reflecting their traditional roles and emotional connections within the family unit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This foundational proverb articulates a core theological principle: the moral order of the universe, established by God, ensures that choices have consequences. Wisdom, understood biblically as living in alignment with God's revealed truth and fearing the Lord, leads to flourishing and joy, not only for the individual but also for those connected to them, especially parents. Conversely, folly, characterized by a rejection of divine instruction and moral discernment, inevitably results in distress and sorrow. This verse underscores the sanctity and importance of the family as the primary arena where these principles are lived out, demonstrating that individual character impacts communal well-being. It reflects God's design for human flourishing, where righteous living brings blessing and peace, while unrighteousness brings disruption and pain.

* [Proverbs 15:20](/proverbs/15-20 "Proverbs 15:20 - A Wise Son Makes a Glad Father")
* [Proverbs 17:21](/proverbs/17-21 "Proverbs 17:21 - A Foolish Son Brings Grief")
* [Proverbs 23:24-25](/proverbs/23-24-25 "Proverbs 23:24-25 - Joy in a Wise Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 10:1 offers timeless wisdom that resonates deeply within the human experience, particularly concerning family relationships and the impact of personal choices. For individuals, it serves as a powerful reminder that our character and conduct have profound ripple effects, extending beyond ourselves to those who love us most. Pursuing wisdom—which involves seeking understanding, embracing discipline, and living righteously—is not merely a personal endeavor but an act that brings honor and joy to our families. Conversely, succumbing to foolishness, defined by recklessness, stubbornness, and a disregard for moral truth, leads to personal detriment and inflicts deep heartache upon our loved ones. For parents, this proverb underscores the immense joy that comes from raising children who walk in wisdom, and the profound sorrow that can accompany a child's foolish path. It serves as an encouragement to diligently teach and train children in the ways of the Lord, recognizing the crucial influence of parental guidance, while also acknowledging that ultimately, children make their own choices. The verse calls all of us to consider the legacy of our actions and their impact on the well-being and happiness of our families and communities, urging us to cultivate a life of wisdom that brings blessing to all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do my choices, whether wise or foolish, bring joy or sorrow to those closest to me, particularly my family?**
* **How does my understanding of "wisdom" align with the biblical definition, which includes moral discernment and a fear of the Lord?**
* **As a parent (or future parent), what practical steps can I take to cultivate wisdom in my children, recognizing the profound impact of their choices?**
* **What specific areas of my life might be causing "heaviness" to others due to foolish decisions, and what steps can I take to pursue wisdom in those areas?**

### FAQ
**Why does the verse specify "father" for the wise son and "mother" for the foolish son?**

Answer: While the proverb speaks to the universal experience of parental joy and sorrow, the specific mention of "father" for the wise son and "mother" for the foolish son may reflect distinct cultural roles and emotional connections in ancient Israel. The father, as the head of the household and lineage, would experience gladness and honor from a wise son who perpetuates the family name and reputation responsibly. The mother, often seen as the primary nurturer and emotional center of the home, might experience a deeper, more visceral "heaviness" or sorrow when a son's foolishness leads to shame, ruin, or danger, reflecting her unique emotional investment and vulnerability. This specific pairing also enhances the **antithetical parallelism**, making the contrast more poignant and memorable. It's not necessarily exclusive (a wise son also gladdens his mother, and a foolish son saddens his father), but rather highlights a particular nuance of parental experience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:1, with its stark contrast between the wise son bringing joy and the foolish son bringing sorrow, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the **perfect Wise Son** who always did the will of His Father, bringing immeasurable gladness to God. Unlike any earthly son, Jesus perfectly embodied divine wisdom, living a life of absolute righteousness, obedience, and truth (cf. [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). His life, ministry, and sacrificial death were the ultimate expression of wisdom, culminating in the joy of the Father at His resurrection and ascension (cf. [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God Exalted Jesus")). Conversely, humanity, in its foolishness and rebellion against God, became the "foolish son" bringing "heaviness" and sorrow to the heart of God. Yet, in an astonishing act of divine love, the Father sent His wise Son, Jesus, to bear the "heaviness" of humanity's sin and folly upon the cross (cf. [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "He Bore Our Griefs and Carried Our Sorrows")), transforming sorrow into joy for all who believe. Through Christ, we, who were once foolish sons and daughters, can be adopted into God's family, empowered by His Spirit to walk in wisdom, bringing gladness to our Heavenly Father and experiencing the joy of true sonship (cf. [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.