Proverbs 17:25

“A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, etc.] Because of his folly and wickedness, and the ruin he is bringing himself to; and bitterness to her that bare him; a cause of bitterness of soul to his mother, more distressing than the bitter pains with which she brought him forth into the world. Jarchi, by the father, understands the blessed God; and by her that bare him, the congregation of Israel; to whom Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, was bitterness, who caused Israel to sin; (see <201001>Proverbs 10:1).”

“a grief--or cross, vexation (compare Pro 17:21; Pro 10:1).”

“Compare Proverbs 17:21. Here is added a reference to the sorrow which the folly of a child brings especially to the mother. return to 'Top of Page'”

“17:25 Foolish children: This proverb is equally true of sons and daughters.”

“Pro 10:1, Pro 15:20, Pro 19:13; 2Sam. 13:1-22; Ecc 2:18, Ecc 2:19 Proverbs 17:26”

“The series of proverbs, v. 25-18:2, begins and closes in the same way as the preceding, and only Pro 17:26 stands by itself without apparent connection. This verse begins connecting itself with Pro 17:21 : A grief to his father is a foolish son, And a bitter woe for her that bare him. The ἅπ. λεγ. ממר is formed from מרר (to be bitter, properly harsh), as מכס from כּסס. The Syr. and Targ. change the subst. into participles; some codd. also have ממר (after the forms מחל, מסב, מפר, מרע), but as may be expected in 25a, מבעיס. The dat. obj. instead of the accus. may be possible; the verse immediately following furnishes a sufficient example of this. Proverbs 17:26”