Proverbs 23:25

KJV

Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy father {H1} and thy mother {H517} shall be glad {H8055}, and she that bare {H3205} thee shall rejoice {H1523}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So let your father and mother be glad; let her who gave you birth rejoice.

Berean Standard Bible

May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice!

American Standard Version

Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 23:25 articulates a profound truth regarding the deep emotional satisfaction and joy that parents experience when their children embrace wisdom, live righteously, and walk in integrity. This verse highlights the immense gladness that accrues to both father and mother as they witness their offspring choosing a path aligned with divine principles, thereby fulfilling the heart's deepest desires for their progeny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a collection of wisdom sayings in Proverbs 23, largely presented as a father's instruction to his son, urging him towards wisdom and away from folly. It immediately follows [Proverbs 23:24](/proverbs/23-24 "Proverbs 23:24 - The Joy of a Righteous Son"), which declares, "The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him." Our verse expands upon this sentiment, explicitly including the mother, thereby presenting a complete picture of shared parental delight. The broader chapter provides a series of admonitions against various pitfalls, such as gluttony, drunkenness, associating with the wicked, and the allure of illicit relationships, consistently contrasting the path of wisdom with the path of folly. The overarching call to heed parental instruction and embrace discipline, a foundational theme seen from [Proverbs 1:8](/proverbs/1-8 "Proverbs 1:8 - The Call to Wisdom and Parental Instruction"), undergirds the entire book and is presented as a prerequisite for the kind of life that brings honor and joy to parents.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the family unit was the bedrock of society, and the continuity of the family line, especially through righteous offspring, held immense significance. Children were viewed as a heritage and blessing from the Lord, as affirmed in [Psalm 127:3](/psalm/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children as a Heritage from the Lord"). The moral and spiritual development of children was a primary responsibility of both parents, with education primarily occurring within the home, where fathers and mothers diligently imparted wisdom, laws, and traditions. A child's choices and conduct directly reflected on the family's honor, reputation, and legacy within the community. The profound joy expressed in this proverb is not merely a sentimental emotion but is deeply rooted in the cultural understanding that a wise and righteous child ensures the well-being and continuation of the family name, honoring the legacy of their parents and ancestors.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 23:25 contributes significantly to several prominent themes woven throughout the book of Proverbs. Foremost among these is the theme of **Parental Joy and Fulfillment**, which highlights the profound gladness and satisfaction parents experience when their children choose the path of wisdom and righteousness over folly. This joy is presented as a direct **Fruit of Righteous Living**, illustrating how an individual's moral choices have far-reaching, positive ripple effects, particularly within the immediate family unit. This stands in stark contrast to the sorrow and grief a foolish child brings, a theme frequently addressed, such as in [Proverbs 17:25](/proverbs/17-25 "Proverbs 17:25 - A Foolish Son Brings Grief to His Mother"). The verse also underscores the **Intergenerational Impact** of wisdom, demonstrating how the virtues cultivated in one generation become an immense source of happiness and blessing for the preceding one, thereby reinforcing the critical importance of diligently passing on a legacy of faith, integrity, and godly wisdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glad (Hebrew, _sâmach'_):** This word (H8055) signifies a deep, internal cheerfulness and blithesomeness. It describes a state of being "brightened up," experiencing profound joy, or being made merry. When applied to the parents in this verse, it speaks of a heartfelt contentment and delight that permeates their very being, arising from their child's wise conduct. It denotes a stable, pervasive joy, contrasting with fleeting happiness.
* **bare (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** This verb (H3205) refers to the act of giving birth or bearing young. Its specific inclusion here highlights the mother's unique and foundational role in bringing forth life. The joy she experiences is intimately connected to the very act of nurturing and raising the child from conception, emphasizing her deep emotional investment and the profound fulfillment of her maternal role when her offspring thrives in righteousness.
* **rejoice (Hebrew, _gîyl'_):: This term (H1523) denotes a more exuberant, even physically expressive form of joy. It literally means "to spin round," suggesting a dancing, leaping, or shouting with delight. When the mother "rejoices," it implies an overflowing, uncontainable gladness—a profound, intense celebration of her child's wise and upright life, perhaps even more demonstrative and effusive than the general "gladness" shared by both parents.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy father and thy mother shall be glad,"**: This initial clause establishes the universal parental response to a child's wise and righteous choices. It emphasizes that both paternal and maternal figures share in this deep emotional satisfaction. The "gladness" (Hebrew, _sâmach'_) is a profound, internal contentment and cheerfulness that arises from seeing their efforts in raising the child bear good fruit. It speaks to the shared investment and the shared reward in the child's moral and spiritual development, indicating a deep sense of fulfillment.
* **"and she that bare thee shall rejoice."**: This second clause specifically highlights the mother's unique experience of joy, employing a different, often more intense, Hebrew word for "rejoice" (Hebrew, _gîyl'_). By singling out "she that bare thee," the proverb underscores the mother's intimate connection to the child from birth and the profound, often more demonstrative, fulfillment she experiences when her offspring lives wisely. Her joy is not just gladness, but an exuberant, overflowing delight, reflecting the unique bond and sacrificial love inherent in motherhood.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 23:25 skillfully employs several effective literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and she that bare thee shall rejoice") reiterates and intensifies the sentiment of the first clause ("Thy father and thy mother shall be glad"). While both clauses express parental joy, the second clause specifically names the mother and utilizes a stronger, more active verb for "rejoice," adding emphasis and emotional depth to the shared experience. The phrase "she that bare thee" is a powerful instance of **Metonymy**, where the act of bearing a child stands in for the mother herself, highlighting her unique and foundational role in the child's life and her deep, intrinsic connection. The verse also utilizes **Emphasis** through the repetition of the theme of parental joy, underscoring its profound significance as a reward for wise living. Finally, the verse implicitly uses **Personification** by attributing the human emotions of gladness and rejoicing to the parents, making the abstract concept of wisdom's reward tangible and profoundly relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The joy expressed in Proverbs 23:25 is not merely a human sentiment but echoes a profound theological truth: God Himself delights in the righteousness of His children. Just as earthly parents find immense satisfaction in a child who walks in wisdom and integrity, so too does our Heavenly Father rejoice when His people live according to His truth and wisdom. This proverb underscores the divine order where obedience and wisdom bring blessing and joy, not only to the individual but also to those who have invested in their spiritual formation. It speaks to the relational nature of God, who desires not just compliance but a flourishing life for His beloved, a life that brings Him glory and joy.

* [Proverbs 10:1](/proverbs/10-1 "Proverbs 10:1 - A Wise Son Makes a Glad Father")
* [3 John 1:4](/3_john/1-4 "3 John 1:4 - John's Greatest Joy: His Children Walking in Truth")
* [Psalm 127:3](/psalm/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children Are a Heritage from the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 23:25 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact our choices have, extending beyond ourselves to those who love us most deeply. For children and young adults, it is a compelling call to intentional living—to pursue wisdom, integrity, and righteousness, recognizing that such a path brings honor and immense joy to the parents who have poured their lives into them. It encourages a life lived not selfishly, but with an acute awareness of its relational ripple effects and the legacy it builds. For parents, this verse offers both profound encouragement and a renewed sense of purpose. It affirms the deep satisfaction that eventually comes from diligent instruction, faithful nurturing, and persistent prayer, even when the immediate fruits are not always visible. It reminds us that the greatest legacy we can leave is not material wealth, but children who walk in the truth, bringing a joy that transcends worldly success and endures through generations. For all believers, it underscores the universal principle that living in alignment with God's wisdom brings blessing and joy, echoing the very heart of our Heavenly Father who delights in our obedience and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my pursuit of wisdom and righteousness impact those who have invested deeply in my life and spiritual formation?**
* **As a parent (or future parent), what does the promise of "gladness" and "rejoicing" in this verse motivate me to prioritize in raising and discipling my children?**
* **What does the specific mention of the mother's "rejoicing" teach me about the unique depth of maternal love and fulfillment?**

### FAQ

**What kind of "wisdom" is implied in Proverbs 23:25 that brings joy to parents?**

Answer: The "wisdom" implied here is not merely intellectual knowledge or worldly shrewdness, but a comprehensive understanding and application of God's truth to all areas of life. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmah_) is often personified and is intrinsically linked to the fear of the Lord, which is declared as the "beginning of knowledge" in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge"). It encompasses moral integrity, righteous living, discerning choices, and adherence to divine principles. Therefore, a child who walks in this wisdom is one who who lives uprightly, makes godly decisions, honors God, and conducts themselves with integrity in all their ways, bringing profound and lasting joy to their parents.

**Does this verse imply that parents are solely responsible for their children's choices, or just that they benefit from them?**

Answer: Proverbs 23:25 primarily highlights the *benefit* and profound joy parents receive from their children's wise choices, rather than assigning ultimate responsibility for those choices. While parents are indeed commanded to "train up a child in the way he should go" ([Proverbs 22:6](/proverbs/22-6 "Proverbs 22:6 - Train Up a Child")), the book of Proverbs also acknowledges individual accountability and the personal choice to embrace or reject wisdom. The verse celebrates the positive outcome of a child embracing wisdom, which is ultimately their own decision. It serves as a powerful encouragement for diligent and faithful parenting, affirming that such efforts, when combined with a child's receptiveness to divine wisdom, yield immense joy. It does not, however, place the burden of a child's poor choices solely on the parents, as each individual is ultimately responsible for their own path before God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 23:25 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "wise child," the Son who perfectly embodies divine wisdom and righteousness in every aspect of His life. His life of flawless obedience, unwavering integrity, and complete devotion to the Father's will brought immeasurable gladness and rejoicing to His Heavenly Father. Just as an earthly father and mother delight in a child who walks in wisdom, so God the Father declared His profound pleasure in Jesus, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - God's Affirmation of Jesus")). Furthermore, through Christ, believers are adopted into God's family, becoming His beloved children ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")). When we, as His adopted children, walk in the wisdom that is Christ Himself, who "has become for us wisdom from God" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom")), living lives of righteousness and obedience to His Spirit, we bring joy to our Heavenly Father. Our transformation into the image of His Son and our faithful walk in His ways are the ultimate source of divine rejoicing, fulfilling the spirit of this proverb on a cosmic and redemptive scale.

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 17:25

¶ A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Luke 1:58

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Luke 11:27

¶ And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

Luke 11:28

But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Luke 1:40

And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

Luke 1:47

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

1 Chronicles 4:9

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.