Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 19:26

ESV He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.
NIV Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
NASB He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.
CSB The one who plunders his father and evicts his mother is a disgraceful and shameful son.
NLT Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.
KJV He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
NKJV He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

What does Proverbs 19:26 mean?

This repeats the idea that unruly children—even as adults—bring shame to their parents. It is embarrassing that a son would not heed his father's instruction (Proverbs 10:17; 13:1), but reprehensible that a son would abuse his parents (Proverbs 18:3; 20:20; 28:24). In the ancient world, a woman's only reliable source of security in old age was her children. Throwing out one's mother, in that era, was to leave her defenseless and homeless.

Such maltreatment offends not only his parents and society but also God. God commanded the people of Israel to honor their fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12). By disobeying this commandment and driving his mother away, a violent son leaves her poverty-stricken. However, he does not get off without punishment. He brings shame and disgrace to himself.

Unfortunately, elder abuse has never been rare. Wicked sons and daughters withhold care and comfort from their elderly parents, and by doing so bring God's judgment on themselves. Exodus 21:17 commands Israel: "Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death." That civil penalty, in the context of the ancient nation of Israel, reflects the serious sin of abusing one's parents.
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