Bible Strands
Proverbs 28:7
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs addresses a student or son, placing this instruction between a comparison of integrity and perverse wealth (28:6) and a warning about the ultimate fate of ill-gotten gains (28:8).
The words — The Hebrew verb נוֹצֵ֣ר (no.Tzer) literally means "[one who] keeps," paired with תּ֭וֹרָה (To.rah) for "[the] law," while the contrasting clause uses רֹעֶה (ro.'eh) for "associates with" and זֽ֝וֹלְלִ֗ים (zo.Lim) for "gluttons."
The thread — The contrast between wise conduct and shameful companionship reappears in Proverbs 29:3 and 29:15, and the warning against former Gentile debauchery echoes in 1 Peter 4:3.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that a companion of gluttons disgraces his father, but it does not state that the discerning son honors his family; it simply demands a reader align his associations with the law rather than destructive habits.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 29:3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
- Proverbs 29:15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
- 1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
- Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
- Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
- Proverbs 19:26 He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
- Proverbs 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.
- Proverbs 28:24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
- Luke 15:13 After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
- Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’