Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
Original Language Analysis
הַוֹּ֣ת
is the calamity
H1942
הַוֹּ֣ת
is the calamity
Strong's:
H1942
Word #:
1 of 8
by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin
לְ֭אָבִיו
of his father
H1
לְ֭אָבִיו
of his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
2 of 8
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בֵּ֣ן
son
H1121
בֵּ֣ן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כְּסִ֑יל
A foolish
H3684
כְּסִ֑יל
A foolish
Strong's:
H3684
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
Cross References
Proverbs 21:9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.Proverbs 27:15A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.Job 14:19The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.Proverbs 17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.Proverbs 25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.Proverbs 21:19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.Proverbs 17:21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, sons were expected to honor fathers and carry on family legacy, making a foolish son a profound failure. Wives who cultivated strife violated the covenant relationship that should reflect Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33).
Questions for Reflection
- What patterns of foolishness or contention exist in your family relationships that need to be addressed?
- How can the gospel transform both the rebellious heart and the contentious spirit?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse addresses two sources of domestic grief: the foolish son and the contentious wife. The Hebrew 'havvah' (calamity) denotes not merely inconvenience but genuine disaster. A son's folly—rejection of wisdom and godly counsel—brings ruin upon his father's household through shame, wasted resources, and broken relationships. The 'continual dropping' metaphor vividly depicts the wearing effect of constant strife; like water eroding stone, persistent contention destroys peace and joy. Both situations result from rebellion against God's order—the son against wisdom, the wife against her role as helpmeet.