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Proverbs 17:21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 17:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
Proverbs 17:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
← Proverbs 17:20Proverbs 17:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow, etc.] As it proves in the issue; though it was joy to him when a man child was born, and took delight in him while in infancy and childhood, and promised himself much happiness in him when at years of discretion; but, instead of that, he departs from his education principles, despises all parental counsels and advice, and goes into all the extravagance of sin and folly; which is an heartbreaking to his godly and religious parents; for this is to be understood; not of an idiot, but of a wicked son, taking bad courses; and the father of a fool hath no joy; in his son, but sorrow, and has scarce any joy or pleasure in anything else in all his…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 23:24). Different words are rendered by "fool," both denoting stupidity and impiety.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Pro 17:25, Pro 10:1, Pro 15:20, Pro 19:13; Gen 26:34; Sa1 2:32-35, Sa1 8:3; Sa2 18:33 hath: Pro 23:15, Pro 23:16; Co2 2:3; Plm 1:19, Plm 1:20; Jo3 1:4 Proverbs 17:22”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification