Proverbs 15:20

KJV

¶ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

A wise {H2450} son {H1121} maketh a glad {H8055} father {H1}: but a foolish {H3684} man {H120} despiseth {H959} his mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A wise son is a joy to his father, and only a fool despises his mother.

Berean Standard Bible

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

American Standard Version

A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 15:20 succinctly presents a profound contrast between the character and conduct of a wise child and a foolish one, highlighting their direct and significant impact on the emotional well-being of their parents. It underscores the deep connection between one's choices and the honor or distress brought upon the family, particularly emphasizing the joy a wise son brings to his father and the contempt a foolish man inflicts upon his mother. This verse serves as a foundational principle within the wisdom tradition, illustrating how filial piety and moral integrity are intrinsically linked to familial harmony and parental satisfaction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 15:20 is situated within a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs (chapters 10-22), which are largely antithetical in nature, presenting stark contrasts between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness. This particular verse follows a series of proverbs that emphasize the power of words and the importance of humility and teachability (e.g., [Proverbs 15:18-19](/proverbs/15-18 "Proverbs 15:18-19 - The Power of Words and Diligence")). It immediately precedes a proverb that continues the theme of the fool's delight in foolishness versus the discerning person's pursuit of wisdom ([Proverbs 15:21](/proverbs/15-21 "Proverbs 15:21 - Folly vs. Discernment")). The placement of this verse reinforces the overarching message of Proverbs: that life offers two paths—the way of wisdom leading to blessing and the way of folly leading to ruin—and these paths have tangible effects on one's most intimate relationships, especially within the family unit.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society was profoundly patriarchal and familial. The family unit (the *bet ab*, "father's house") was the fundamental social, economic, and religious institution. Honor and shame were powerful societal motivators, and a child's behavior directly reflected on the parents and the entire family lineage. The father, as the head of the household, bore primary responsibility for instruction and discipline, while the mother played a crucial role in nurturing, teaching, and shaping the child's character from an early age. Therefore, a child's wisdom or foolishness was not merely a personal matter but a public indicator of the family's success in upholding covenantal values. The concept of "despising" a parent, particularly a mother, would have been seen as a grave offense, undermining the very fabric of societal order and deeply dishonoring the one who gave life and early instruction.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the Book of Proverbs. Firstly, it highlights the **dichotomy between wisdom and folly**, a central organizing principle of the book, demonstrating how these abstract concepts manifest in concrete relational outcomes. A wise son brings joy, while a foolish one brings sorrow. Secondly, it emphasizes **filial piety and parental honor**, a recurring theme that echoes the Fifth Commandment (e.g., [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment")). The well-being of parents is directly tied to the moral and practical choices of their children. Thirdly, the verse subtly touches on the theme of **consequences**, illustrating that actions have direct and often immediate repercussions, especially within the family sphere. The pursuit of wisdom is consistently presented as the path to a flourishing life, not just for the individual but for all those connected to them, as seen in the broader wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Beginning of Knowledge")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wise (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** From H2450, this term refers to someone who is not merely intellectually intelligent but possesses practical skill, discernment, and moral uprightness. In the context of Proverbs, *châkâm* describes a person who lives skillfully according to God's revealed will, making choices that lead to flourishing and blessing. A "wise son" is one whose life choices, character, and conduct demonstrate this practical, godly wisdom, bringing honor and satisfaction.
* **Glad (Hebrew, _sâmach'_):** From H8055, this primitive root means to brighten up, to be blithe or gleesome, to rejoice, or to make merry. When a wise son "maketh a glad father," it signifies a deep, heartfelt joy and satisfaction that the father experiences because of his son's righteous and honorable life. This is not a fleeting emotion but a profound contentment stemming from seeing the fruit of his upbringing and the son's adherence to wisdom.
* **Foolish (Hebrew, _kᵉçîyl'_):** From H3684, this word describes someone who is properly "fat," but figuratively, stupid, silly, obstinate, and morally deficient. The *kᵉçîyl* is a recurring figure in Proverbs, characterized by a stubborn resistance to instruction, a lack of discernment, and a tendency to make destructive choices. Unlike someone who is merely ignorant, the *kᵉçîyl* often actively rejects wisdom and embraces folly, leading to negative consequences for himself and others.
* **Despiseth (Hebrew, _bâzâh'_):** From H959, this primitive root means to disesteem, scorn, disdain, or treat with contempt. It implies a deep lack of respect and an active rejection. When a foolish man "despiseth his mother," it indicates not just a passive disregard but an active scorn for her counsel, her nurturing, and her authority. This contempt brings profound sorrow and shame to the mother, contrasting sharply with the joy a wise son brings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A wise son maketh a glad father:"** This clause establishes the positive correlation between a son's wisdom and his father's emotional state. The "wise son" (Hebrew: *ben chakham*) is one who has embraced the instruction of his parents and the wisdom of God, living a life characterized by discernment, obedience, and righteousness. His actions, choices, and character are a source of profound joy and satisfaction for his father, validating the father's efforts in raising him and bringing honor to the family name. This joy is a natural outcome of a life lived in accordance with divine wisdom.
* **"but a foolish man despiseth his mother."** This contrasting clause highlights the negative consequence of folly, specifically targeting the mother. The "foolish man" (Hebrew: *ish kesil*) is someone who is morally dull, stubborn in his wrong ways, and resistant to correction. His actions are not merely misguided but actively demonstrate contempt and scorn for his mother. This "despising" (Hebrew: *bazah*) implies a rejection of her nurturing, her teaching, and her authority, bringing deep sorrow, shame, and dishonor to her. The specific mention of the mother underscores the profound pain caused by a child's ingratitude and rebellion against the one who bore and nurtured him.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 15:20 employs several effective **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, which is characteristic of much of Proverbs. The verse presents two contrasting statements—a wise son bringing joy to his father versus a foolish man despising his mother—where the second line provides a direct opposite or counterpoint to the first. This structure effectively highlights the profound difference in outcomes between wisdom and folly. The use of **Synecdoche** is also present, where "father" and "mother" represent the parents collectively, and by extension, the entire family unit and its well-being. The verse also uses **Juxtaposition** to place the positive and negative consequences side-by-side, amplifying the impact of each. Finally, the verse relies on **Cause and Effect** to illustrate that specific character traits (wisdom/folly) directly lead to predictable relational outcomes (joy/contempt).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 15:20 is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of family as the foundational unit of society and the primary sphere for moral and spiritual formation. The verse affirms that human relationships, particularly those between parents and children, are profoundly affected by one's moral choices. It reinforces the theological truth that wisdom, rooted in the fear of the Lord, leads to flourishing and harmonious relationships, while folly leads to discord and dishonor. The specific mention of the mother being despised by the foolish son underscores the gravity of disrespecting parental authority and the deep emotional pain such actions inflict, highlighting the sacredness of the parent-child bond established by God. This principle extends beyond the immediate family, suggesting that a person's character, cultivated within the home, will inevitably impact their broader community and their relationship with God.

* [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - Honor Your Father and Your Mother")
* [Ephesians 6:1-3](/ephesians/6-1 "Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, Obey Your Parents")
* [Proverbs 10:1](/proverbs/10-1 "Proverbs 10:1 - A Wise Son Makes a Glad Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 15:20 offers a timeless challenge for self-examination regarding our character and its ripple effect on those closest to us, especially our parents. It calls us to consider whether our lives are sources of joy and honor or sorrow and disdain for those who invested so much in our upbringing. For children, regardless of age, it is a powerful reminder of the enduring call to honor and respect parents, not merely as a social custom but as a spiritual principle that brings blessing. For parents, it serves as an encouragement to diligently impart wisdom, knowing that the character formed in their children will profoundly impact their future joy. Ultimately, the verse compels us to pursue wisdom—which is fundamentally a life lived in accordance with God's will—as the path to bringing delight to our earthly parents and, more importantly, to our Heavenly Father.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does my character and conduct bring joy or sorrow to my parents?**
* **How does my pursuit of wisdom (or lack thereof) manifest in my relationships, particularly within my family?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate wisdom and honor my parents more deeply, even if they are no longer living?**
* **How does the concept of "despising" a parent challenge my understanding of respect and authority in all relationships?**

### FAQ
**Why is the father mentioned in relation to the wise son, and the mother in relation to the foolish man?**

Answer: While both parents are implicitly affected by a child's wisdom or folly, the specific mention in Proverbs 15:20 likely reflects the distinct roles and emotional impacts within the ancient Israelite family. The father, as the head of the household and primary instructor, would experience immense "gladness" and vindication when his son embodied the wisdom he sought to impart, bringing honor to the family name. The mother, often the primary nurturer and source of early instruction and affection, would feel the "despising" of a foolish son as a deep personal wound and betrayal of her lifelong investment and love. This phrasing emphasizes the comprehensive impact of a child's character on both parental figures, highlighting the specific pain inflicted upon the mother by a son who rejects her nurturing and counsel, contrasting it with the joy a father derives from a son who upholds the family's values. This pattern is also seen elsewhere in Proverbs, where both parents are sources of instruction (e.g., [Proverbs 1:8](/proverbs/1-8 "Proverbs 1:8 - Listen to Your Parents")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 15:20, while speaking of earthly filial relationships, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential "wise son" who perfectly delighted His Heavenly Father. From His baptism, where the Father declared, "[This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Father's Affirmation of Jesus")," to His unwavering obedience even unto death on the cross, Jesus consistently brought profound joy and honor to God. Unlike the foolish man who despises his mother, Jesus exemplified perfect submission and love, even caring for His earthly mother from the cross ([John 19:26-27](/john/19-26 "John 19:26-27 - Jesus Cares for His Mother")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ not only fulfilled the law's demands for perfect obedience but also provided the means for humanity, who are naturally foolish and rebellious, to become "wise sons and daughters" through faith in Him. By His Spirit, believers are empowered to live lives that bring honor and joy to God, transforming our relationships and enabling us to reflect the wisdom of Christ (e.g., [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")).

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.

Cross-References

Proverbs 29:3

¶ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.

Proverbs 10:1

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

1 Kings 1:48

And also thus said the king, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which hath given [one] to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing [it].

Proverbs 23:22

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

1 Kings 5:7

And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed [be] the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

Leviticus 19:3

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I [am] the LORD your God.

Proverbs 23:15

My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.