Proverbs 28:24
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Original Language Analysis
גּוֹזֵ֤ל׀
Whoso robbeth
H1497
גּוֹזֵ֤ל׀
Whoso robbeth
Strong's:
H1497
Word #:
1 of 10
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
אָ֘בִ֤יו
his father
H1
אָ֘בִ֤יו
his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
2 of 10
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאִמּ֗וֹ
or his mother
H517
וְאִמּ֗וֹ
or his mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
3 of 10
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
פָּ֑שַׁע
It is no transgression
H6588
פָּ֑שַׁע
It is no transgression
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
6 of 10
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
ה֝֗וּא
H1931
ה֝֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Proverbs 19:26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.Proverbs 18:9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.Proverbs 28:7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.Judges 17:2And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern societies considered parental care a sacred duty. Adult children supported aging parents who had no social security system. Jesus's anger at Corban abuse (first-century Pharisaic loophole allowing vows to temple to override parental support) shows how seriously He took this command. Paul echoes it: 'If any provide not for his own... he hath denied the faith' (1 Timothy 5:8).
Questions for Reflection
- Are you caring for your aging parents according to biblical commands, or finding loopholes?
- What rationalizations might you use to justify withholding support or honor from parents?
- How does proper honor of parents reflect honoring God, who commands it?
Analysis & Commentary
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression (גּוֹזֵל אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ וְאֹמֵר אֵין־פָּשַׁע, gozel aviv ve'immo ve'omer ein-pasha)—גָּזַל (gazal, 'to rob, plunder, tear away violently') from אָב (av, 'father') and אֵם (em, 'mother') while claiming אֵין פֶּשַׁע (ein pesha, 'no transgression, no sin') reveals radical moral blindness. Jesus condemned the Corban tradition that evaded parental support (Mark 7:9-13): 'Ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban... he shall be free.'
The same is the companion of a destroyer (חָבֵר הוּא לְאִישׁ מַשְׁחִית, chaver hu le'ish mashchit)—חָבֵר (chaver, 'companion, associate, partner') with אִישׁ מַשְׁחִית (ish mashchit, 'man of destruction, one who ruins/destroys'). Such behavior aligns one with those who tear down rather than build. The fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) promises long life for honoring parents; this proverb shows the inverse—robbing parents associates one with death-dealers.