Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Original Language Analysis
דּ֭וֹר
There is a generation
H1755
דּ֭וֹר
There is a generation
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
אָבִ֣יו
their father
H1
אָבִ֣יו
their father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
2 of 7
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יְקַלֵּ֑ל
that curseth
H7043
יְקַלֵּ֑ל
that curseth
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
3 of 7
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִ֝מּ֗וֹ
their mother
H517
אִ֝מּ֗וֹ
their mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
5 of 7
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
Cross References
Proverbs 20:20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.Proverbs 30:17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.Exodus 21:17And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.Deuteronomy 27:16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.Leviticus 20:9For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's fifth commandment carried the death penalty for striking or cursing parents (Exodus 21:15, 17), showing how seriously God takes filial honor. The extended family structure made parental respect essential for social cohesion. Agur observes a generation abandoning this foundation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you honor your parents practically, even when disagreeing with them or dealing with their failures?
- In what ways does contemporary culture encourage dishonoring parents, and how do you resist this?
- How does Christ's perfect honor of His Father provide both model and motivation for honoring parents?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother—Agur shifts to 'four generations' (vv. 11-14) describing moral degradation. Dôr (דּוֹר, generation) can mean age-group or type of people. Qālal (קָלַל, curseth) means despise, treat with contempt—direct violation of the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12). Refusing to bless (bārak, בָּרַך) is passive dishonor.
Parental honor is foundational to biblical morality—the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:2). Its breakdown signals societal collapse. Paul lists disobedience to parents among end-times sins (2 Timothy 3:2). Jesus condemned Pharisees who used religious loopholes to avoid honoring parents (Mark 7:9-13).