Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 30:11

ESV There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
NIV There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers;
NASB There is a kind of person who curses his father And does not bless his mother.
CSB There is a generation that curses its father and does not bless its mother.
NLT Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother.
KJV There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

What does Proverbs 30:11 mean?

Prior lessons in the book of Proverbs mentioned the danger of "cursing" one's parents, rather than honoring them (Proverbs 20:20). This reflects a general disrespect for authority, which can lead to dire consequences (Proverbs 30:17). The Hebrew phrasing used here is broad, using on the word dor' which is translated as "there are those," or "there is a kind who." This might refer to specific persons from Agur's experience (Proverbs 30:1). Or this might be a general reference to the world at large.

Thankless, unruly people exist in every generation; a great many developed that attitude as children. Paul notified Timothy that a generation in the last days would be "lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:2–5). Such disrespect of parents reveals an evil disposition and total disregard for the commandment: "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). Ephesians 6:1–2 gives the same command: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise)."
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