Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 28:24

ESV Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is a companion to a man who destroys.
NIV Whoever robs their father or mother and says, "It’s not wrong," is partner to one who destroys.
NASB He who robs his father or his mother And says, 'There is no wrong done,' Is the companion of a person who destroys.
CSB The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That’s no sin," is a companion to a person who destroys.
NLT Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, 'What’s wrong with that?' is no better than a murderer.
KJV Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
NKJV Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “ It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer.

What does Proverbs 28:24 mean?

For a child to steal from their parents is immoral, but common (Jeremiah 17:9). The sin involved is relatively obvious. This proverb seems to point at something easier to excuse: those who take from their parents and excuse it as no sin at all. In an ancient middle eastern context, that might mean assuming what was stolen would be inherited later, anyway. It could include the attitude which says, "they should want me to have this, so it's not wrong to just take it." The person who makes excuses for sin—especially sin against their own parents—is on the same moral level as the one who robs or destroys outright.

The New Testament provides a parallel example (Mark 7:9–13). Jesus condemns those who fail to properly care for their parents, claiming that whatever was not given was somehow dedicated to God, instead. Withholding what may be legitimately owed is as much stealing as taking something away.

Such attitudes, at the very least, "destroy" the relationship to the thief's parents (Proverbs 10:5; 19:26; 28:7). It erodes trust and peace of mind (Proverbs 28:25). Greed motivates thieves and robbers, and those actions ruin their victim's sense of security and ownership. Like a robber or a thief, a greedy child steals from their parents. This violates the commandment to honor one's parents and forfeits the promise the commandment entails (Exodus 20:12).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: