Proverbs Chapter 10 · Verse 1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
Original Language Analysis
מִשְׁלֵ֗י
The proverbs
H4912
מִשְׁלֵ֗י
The proverbs
Strong's:
H4912
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
וּבֵ֥ן
son
H1121
וּבֵ֥ן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְשַׂמַּח
maketh a glad
H8055
יְשַׂמַּח
maketh a glad
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
5 of 10
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
אָ֑ב
father
H1
אָ֑ב
father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 10
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וּבֵ֥ן
son
H1121
וּבֵ֥ן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כְּ֝סִ֗יל
but a foolish
H3684
כְּ֝סִ֗יל
but a foolish
Strong's:
H3684
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
Cross References
Proverbs 1:1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;Proverbs 29:3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.Proverbs 17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.Proverbs 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.Proverbs 15:20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.Proverbs 17:21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.Proverbs 25:1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.Ecclesiastes 12:9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.Ecclesiastes 2:19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
Historical Context
The shift from extended parental instruction (chapters 1-9) to brief proverbial sayings (chapters 10-22) reflects different pedagogical purposes. The longer discourses established foundational principles; the brief proverbs provided memorable applications for daily life. Both served ancient Israel's educational system centered in family and community.
Questions for Reflection
- If you are a child, how do your choices bring gladness or grief to your parents?
- If you are a parent, how do you balance grief over children's foolishness with trust in God's sovereign work in their lives?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse begins the first collection of Solomon's proverbs proper (10:1-22:16), shifting from extended discourse to brief wisdom sayings. 'A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother' establishes the relational impact of wisdom and folly. Parents rejoice in wise children and grieve over foolish ones. The asymmetry (glad father / grieving mother) may simply vary the parallelism poetically, though some see it reflecting ancient gender roles in child-rearing. The principle remains: children's moral and spiritual choices profoundly affect their parents.