Bible Strands
Proverbs 29:3
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text delivers a wisdom instruction contrasting two behavioral paths, positioned between observations on national leadership and royal justice. The words — חָ֭כְמָה (chokh.mah) translates to wisdom, while יְאַבֶּד (ye.'a.bed) literally means he destroys or squanders. The thread — This father-joy motif repeats in Proverbs 10:1, 15:20, and 27:11, consistently pairing wisdom with paternal gladness and folly with grief. Why it lands — The verse states that loving wisdom builds up a family line while associating with prostitutes consumes wealth, demanding a deliberate choice of pursuit.
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 loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
- Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
- Proverbs 15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
- Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
- Proverbs 28:7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
- 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.
- Proverbs 6:26 For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
- Proverbs 5:8 Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,
- Proverbs 21:17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
- Proverbs 21:20 Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.