Proverbs 19:13
Proverbs 19:13 in Multiple Translations
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father; And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end.
A stupid son makes his father miserable, and an argumentative wife is like dripping that never stops.
A foolish sonne is the calamitie of his father, and the contentions of a wife are like a continuall dropping.
A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, And the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.
Foolish children can cause disasters to happen to their parents. A wife who constantly ◄nags/quarrels with► her husband is as annoying as water that continually drips [MET].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 19:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 19:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַוֺּ֣ת
לְ֭/אָבִי/ו
בֵּ֣ן
כְּסִ֑יל
וְ/דֶ֥לֶף
טֹ֝רֵ֗ד
מִדְיְנֵ֥י
אִשָּֽׁה
הַוֺּ֣ת
havvâh
H1942
desire
N-fp
לְ֭/אָבִי/ו
ʼâb
H1
father
Prep | N-ms | Suff
בֵּ֣ן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
כְּסִ֑יל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
fool
Adj
וְ/דֶ֥לֶף
deleph
H1812
dripping
Conj | N-ms
טֹ֝רֵ֗ד
ṭârad
H2956
to pursue
V-Qal
מִדְיְנֵ֥י
midyân
H4079
contention
N-mp
אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 19:13
הַוֺּ֣ת
havvâh
H1942
"desire"
N-fp
Havvah refers to a strong desire, but often in a bad sense, and can also mean ruin or calamity. It's used to describe something naughty or wicked, like mischief or iniquity. This concept appears in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) desire 1a) desire (in bad sense) 2) chasm (fig. of destruction) 2a) engulfing ruin, destruction, calamity
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty, noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness. See also: Job 6:2; Psalms 57:2; Psalms 5:10.
לְ֭/אָבִי/ו
ʼâb
H1
"father"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
בֵּ֣ן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
כְּסִ֑יל
kᵉçîyl
H3684
"fool"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Definition: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish). See also: Psalms 49:11; Proverbs 19:13; Psalms 92:7.
וְ/דֶ֥לֶף
deleph
H1812
"dripping"
Conj | N-ms
Dripping refers to something that is dropping or leaking, like a faucet. In the Bible, it is used to describe a contentious wife, who is always nagging or complaining. This word is often translated as dropping.
Definition: 1) a dropping, dripping 1a) of contentious wife (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: dropping. See also: Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 27:15.
טֹ֝רֵ֗ד
ṭârad
H2956
"to pursue"
V-Qal
This verb means to pursue or chase after something, like following close behind. It is used in the Bible to describe continuous action.
Definition: 1) to pursue, chase, be continuous 1a) (Qal) dripping (participle) Aramaic equivalent: te.rad (טְרַד "to chase away" H2957)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: continual. See also: Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 27:15.
מִדְיְנֵ֥י
midyân
H4079
"contention"
N-mp
Means contention or strife, describing a quarrel or dispute, as seen in the KJV translation of brawling or contention.
Definition: strife, contention
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: brawling, contention(-ous). See also: Proverbs 18:18; Proverbs 21:19; Proverbs 18:19.
אִשָּֽׁה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
Study Notes — Proverbs 19:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 19:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 19:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 19:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 19:13
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 19:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
- Sermons on Proverbs 19:13
Context — The Man of Integrity
11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 27:15 | A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— |
| 2 | Proverbs 21:9 | Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 3 | Proverbs 10:1 | The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. |
| 4 | Job 14:19 | as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope. |
| 5 | Proverbs 17:25 | A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. |
| 6 | Proverbs 25:24 | Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 7 | Proverbs 17:21 | A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy. |
| 8 | Proverbs 21:19 | Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. |
| 9 | Proverbs 15:20 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. |
| 10 | 2 Samuel 13:1–18 | After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom. Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her. Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.’” So Amnon lay down and feigned illness. When the king came to see him, Amnon said, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.” Then David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Please go to the house of Amnon your brother and prepare a meal for him.” So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked them. Then she brought the pan and set it down before him, but he refused to eat. “Send everyone away!” said Amnon. And everyone went out. Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat it from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes she had made and went to her brother Amnon’s bedroom. And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come lie with me, my sister!” “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not humiliate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her. Then Amnon hated Tamar with such intensity that his hatred was greater than the love he previously had. “Get up!” he said to her. “Be gone!” “No,” she replied, “sending me away is worse than this great wrong you have already done to me!” But he refused to listen to her. Instead, he called to his attendant and said, “Throw this woman out and bolt the door behind her!” So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore. |
Proverbs 19:13 Summary
This verse is saying that when a son makes foolish choices, it can cause a lot of problems for his father, and when a wife is always arguing and complaining, it can be really frustrating and annoying, like a leaky faucet that won't stop dripping. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and to cultivate love and respect in our relationships, as seen in Matthew 5:9 and Ephesians 4:32. By following God's wisdom and seeking to honor Him in our interactions with others, we can avoid being a source of ruin or irritation and instead be a blessing to those around us. This can be especially important in our families and marriages, where we have the opportunity to model God's love and grace to those closest to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a son to be his father's ruin?
This phrase suggests that a foolish son can bring financial, emotional, or social devastation to his father, much like the consequences of not following God's wisdom as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-68.
Is it always the wife's fault if she is quarrelsome?
No, the Bible teaches that both husbands and wives have a responsibility to love and respect each other, as seen in Ephesians 5:22-33, and that a quarrelsome spirit can be a symptom of deeper issues that need to be addressed.
What is meant by 'a constant dripping'?
This phrase is likely referring to the annoying and persistent sound of a leaky faucet, illustrating how a quarrelsome wife can be a constant source of irritation and frustration, much like the warning against a nagging spirit in Proverbs 21:9.
How can I apply this verse to my own life?
If you are a parent, consider how your actions and example may be influencing your children, and if you are married, reflect on how you can cultivate a spirit of love, respect, and peace in your relationship, as encouraged in Proverbs 15:1 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be causing 'ruin' in my own relationships, and how can I change my behavior to be more positive and uplifting?
- How can I cultivate patience and understanding in my interactions with others, especially in difficult or frustrating situations?
- What are some practical steps I can take to address conflict and quarrels in my relationships, and how can I seek to resolve them in a God-honoring way?
- In what ways can I seek to be a source of peace and harmony in my home and community, rather than a source of strife and discord?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father,.... Or, "the calamities of his father" (q); he brings them to him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping - through the roof of a house.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
Are like rain continually dropping upon a house, which by degrees marreth the house and household stuff, and driveth the inhabitants out of it. He compareth her to a continual dropping, because of that inseparable union and necessary cohabitation of husband and wife together, notwithstanding such contentions.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.Ver. 13. A foolish son is the calamity of his father.] Children are certain cares, but uncertain comforts. Let them prove never so towardly, yet there is somewhat to do to breed them up, and bring them to good. But if they answer not expectation, the parent’ s grief is inexpressible. See the note on Proverbs 10:1, and xv. 20. How many an unhappy father is tempted to wish with Augustus, ‘ O utinam caelebs vixissem, orbusque perissem?’ And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.] Like as a man that hath met with hard usage abroad thinks to mend himself at home, but is no sooner sat down there but the rain, dropping through the roof upon his head, drives him out of doors again. Such is the case of him that hath a contentious wife - a far greater cross than that of ungracious children, which yet are the father’ s calamities and heart breaks. Augustus had been happy if he had had no children; Sulla if he had had no wife. All evils, as elements, are most troublesome when out of their proper place, as impiety in professors, injustice in judges, discomfort in a wife. This is like a tempest in the haven, most troublesome, most dangerous.
Coniugium coniurgium. De discordi coniugio Themistocles dixit, συνοικουσι, ουσυμβιουσι.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
(13) A continual dropping.—As of the rain leaking through the flat roof of an eastern house on a wet day. (Comp. 27:15.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
Verse 13. The 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!
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 19:13
13. continual] Lit. thrusting, where one drop follows so closely upon another as to thrust it forward. “In quo gutta guttam trudit,” Maur.; “Tecta jugiter perstillantia litigiosa mulier,” Vulg. Comp. Proverbs 27:15.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 19:13
Calamity - The Hebrew word is plural (as in Psalms 57:1; Psalms 91:3), and seems to express the multiplied and manifold sorrow caused by the foolish son.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 19:13
13. Calamity… contentions — “Two things,” says Patrick, “make a man exceedingly unhappy — a dissolute son and a scolding wife; for the former breaks the heart of the father, and as to the other, he
Sermons on Proverbs 19:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 3 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the consequences of finding Christ in a home. He emphasizes the importance of free will and how it can affect one's relationship with God. Th |
|
To Build or Not to Build by Jenny Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories from their family history to illustrate the challenges and trials they faced. The first story is about their grandmother, who experie |
|
|
A Son That Brings Shame by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of preaching the word of God and traveling across the nation. He recalls a powerful encounter with a man who commended him for fe |
|
Choosing a Wife - Beauty Is Vain by Tim Conway | This sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing a godly spouse over outward beauty or charm. It warns against the consequences of marrying a contentious or ungodly partner, highl |
|
|
Couples Night - Part 5 by Keith Daniel | This sermon delves into the challenges and dynamics of marriage, drawing examples from historical figures like John Wesley and biblical characters like David and his wife. It explo |
|
The Cry of Wisdom by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the concept of wisdom and its connection to intelligence and understanding. He highlights the complexity and intricacy of the human bod |
|
God's Truth: Authority and Discipline by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of God's word and the need for consistency in following through with what is said. He shares a personal anecdote about his so |