Proverbs 19:13

Proverbs 19:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
• New International Version (NIV)A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

Context of Proverbs 19:13

11Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment]. 12The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass. A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water]. 14House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers, But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the Lord. 15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity], And the idle person will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:13 word by word

הַוֹּ֣ת לְ֭אָבִיו בֵּ֣ן כְּסִ֑יל וְדֶ֥לֶף טֹ֝רֵ֗ד מִדְיְנֵ֥י אִשָּֽׁה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A foolishכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• the calamityהַוָּהhavvâh · desireH1942
• of his fatherאָב'âb · fatherH1
• and the contentionsמִדְיָןmidyân · contentionH4079
• of a wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
• a continualטָרַדţârad · to pursueH2956
• droppingדֶּ֫לֶףdeleph · drippingH1812

Cross-references for Proverbs 19:13

• Proverbs 10:1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.
• Proverbs 15:20A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
• Proverbs 17:21He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.
• 2 Samuel 13:13As for me, how could I get rid of my shame and disgrace? And you, you will be considered one of the fools in Israel. So now, just speak to the king [about taking me as your wife], for he will not withhold me from you.”
• Ecclesiastes 2:18So I hated all the fruit (gain) of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will succeed me.
• Proverbs 21:9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.
• Proverbs 25:24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.
• Proverbs 27:15A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious (quarrelsome) woman are alike;
• Job 14:19Water wears away the stones, Its floods and torrents wash away the soil of the earth, So You [O Lord] destroy the hope of man.

Commentaries on Proverbs 19:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping - The man who has got such a wife is like a tenant who has got a cottage with a bad roof through every part of which the rain either drops or pours. He can neither sit, stand work, nor sleep, without being exposed to these droppings. God help the man who is in such a case, with house or wife!Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Calamity - The Hebrew word is plural (as in Psalm 57:1; Psalm 91:3), and seems to express the multiplied and manifold sorrow caused by the foolish son. Continual dropping - The irritating, unceasing, sound of the fall, drop after drop, of water through the chinks in the roof.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14No decision is more important for a son than choosing a good wife (compare Proverbs 31:10–31). A poor choice causes pain (compare 10:1; 11:22; 12:4; 21:9, 19; 25:24; 27:15–17). A wise man will seek the Lord's help to find an understanding wife.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. calamity--literally, "calamities," varied and many. continual dropping--a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 19:13

• Children
• Family
• Fool
• Strife
• Wife
• Women
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• House
• Judgment
• Pity
• Scorner
• Slothfulness
• Calamity
• Drop, Dropping
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings