Proverbs 17:21

Commentary on Proverbs 17:21

Proverbs 17:21 delivers a stark and poignant observation about the profound grief that can accompany parenting a child who chooses a path of folly. It highlights the deep emotional cost borne by a parent when their offspring rejects wisdom and embraces foolishness.

Context

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom literature, offering practical guidance for living a righteous and fulfilling life. A central theme is the sharp contrast between the wise and the fool, and the respective consequences of their choices. This verse fits squarely within this theme, emphasizing the relational impact of such choices, particularly within the family unit. Many proverbs speak to the joy a wise child brings versus the sorrow a foolish one causes.

Key Themes

• The Burden of Foolishness: In Proverbs, a "fool" (Hebrew: kesil or 'evil) is not merely someone lacking intelligence, but rather a person who is morally deficient, obstinately rejects instruction, despises wisdom, and often acts recklessly or maliciously. This verse underscores that raising such a child brings deep sorrow and an absence of joy to the parent.
• Parental Sorrow and Lack of Joy: The phrase "doeth it to his sorrow" and "hath no joy" vividly portrays the emotional anguish and disappointment experienced by a father whose child embodies foolishness. This isn't just about financial or social burdens, but a profound spiritual and emotional heartache. The parent's hopes and efforts for their child's well-being are dashed, replaced by grief.
• The Value of Wisdom: Implicitly, the verse reinforces the immense value of wisdom. If folly brings such sorrow, then wisdom, by contrast, is the source of joy and blessing, not only for the individual but for their family. This is a recurring motif, as seen in Proverbs 23:24, "The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sorrow" here is tuwgah, which denotes grief, affliction, or heavy sorrow. It conveys a deep, abiding pain. The absence of "joy" (Hebrew: simchah) emphasizes a profound emptiness where delight and happiness should reside. This highlights the emotional depth of the parental burden.

Practical Application

This proverb serves as a powerful reminder for both parents and children:

• For Parents: It underscores the importance of diligent and prayerful upbringing, seeking to instill wisdom and godly principles from a young age. While a child's ultimate choices are their own, parents are called to train up a child in the way he should go. It also offers solace to parents whose children have chosen foolish paths, acknowledging their pain while encouraging continued prayer and hope.
• For Children/Individuals: It highlights the far-reaching impact of one's choices. Choosing a life of folly not only harms oneself but also inflicts pain upon those who love them most, especially parents. It encourages individuals to embrace wisdom and instruction, understanding that their choices have significant relational consequences. The negative effects of foolishness are often a grief to the entire family, as also noted in Proverbs 17:25.