Bible Strands
Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Agur addresses the readers of Proverbs 30 amid a sequence of moral observations, placing this warning between instructions about social conduct and a description of another corrupt generation.
The words — The Hebrew דּוֹר (Dor) literally means "generation," and יְבָרֵךְ (yevarekh) means "it blesses," framing the verse's core contrast between active cursing and passive refusal to bless.
The thread — The prohibition against dishonoring parents appears in Exodus 21:17, which mandates execution for cursing them, and recurs in Proverbs 20:20 and Proverbs 30:17, both of which tie parental insult to severe divine or natural judgment.
Why it lands — The text states that a specific group actively curses their fathers and withholds blessing from their mothers, requiring readers to audit their own speech toward parents and reject any self-justifying claim to purity.
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
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 20:20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
- Proverbs 30:17 As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
- Exodus 21:17 Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 27:16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
- Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
- Leviticus 20:9 If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.
- Deuteronomy 21:20 and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
- Matthew 15:4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
- Mark 7:10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
- 1 Timothy 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.