Proverbs 29:3

3 He who ¹loves wisdom makes his father glad, but ²a companion of prostitutes ³squanders his wealth.

Proverbs 29:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:3

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father
He that is a philosopher, especially a religious one, that not only loves and seeks after natural wisdom, but moral wisdom and knowledge; and more particularly evangelical wisdom, Christ the Wisdom of God, who is to be valued and loved above all things; the Gospel of Christ, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery; and the knowledge of it which is the wisdom which comes from above and is pure and peaceable; and which lies much in the fear of God, and in the faith of Jesus Christ, attended with all the fruits of righteousness: such a son makes glad his father, both because of his temporal good, since he does not waste but improve the substance he has given him; and because of his spiritual and eternal welfare; and since instead of being a reproach he is an honour to him; see ( Proverbs 10:1 ) ; but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance:
his father has given him, and comes to want and beggary; all which is a grief to his parents: or, "that feeds harlots" ^F9; who live in a riotous and voluptuous manner, and soon drain a man of his substance, and bring him to a morsel of bread; see ( Luke 15:13 Luke 15:14 Luke 15:30 ) ( Proverbs 6:26 ) ; and such a son grieves his father, seeing he spends his substance and damns his soul.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (her) "nutrit", V. L. "pascit", Pagninus, Piscator, Gejerus, Schultens; "pascitur", Michaelis; "pascens", Montanus, Mercerus.

Proverbs 29:3 In-Context

1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Cross References

• 1. 29:3 [ch. 10:1; 15:20; 27:11; 28:7]
• 2. 29:3 [ch. 5:9, 10; 6:26]
• 3. 29:3 Luke 15:13, 30