Proverbs 28:7

Pro 28:7 Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.

Ver. 7. He that keepeth the law is a wise son.] It is neither good nature, nor good nurture or breeding, that can prove a man to be truly wise, but obedience to God’s statutes. {Deu 4:6} Aiphonsus, king of Spain, surnamed the Wise, was a rank fool and an arrant atheist; so are all the world’s wizards.

But he that is a companion to riotous men.] Or, That feedeth gluttons, whose belly hath no bottom.

‘Ingluvies et tempestas, barathrumque macelli.’

They say the locust is all belly, which is joined to his mouth, and endeth at his tail: such are riotous belly gods. To feed such is to cast away all, and bring an indelible infamy upon the family.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

28:7 their parents: This proverb applies to both fathers and mothers.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Note, 1. Religion is true wisdom, and it makes men wise in every relation. He that conscientiously keeps the law is wise, and he will be particularly a wise son, that is, will act discreetly towards his parents, for the law of God teaches him to do so. 2. Bad company is a great hindrance to religion. Those that are companions of riotous men, that choose such for their companions and delight in their conversation, will certainly be drawn from keeping the law of God and drawn to transgress it, Psa 119:115. 3. Wickedness is not only a reproach to the sinner himself, but to all that are akin to him. He that keeps rakish company, and spends his time and money with them, not only grieves his parents, but shames them; it turns to their disrepute, as if they had not done their duty to him. They are ashamed that a child of theirs should be scandalous and abusive to their neighbours.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(Compare Pro 17:25).

riotous men--or, "gluttons" (Pro 23:20-21).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

7. riotous] Rather, gluttonous. See Pro_23:20, note.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son,.... That observes the law of God; for, though he cannot perfectly keep it, yet he delights in it after the inward man; and with his spirit serves it, from a principle of love, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God, without mercenary and sinister ends. Such a man enjoys peace, and has a reward "in" though not "for" keeping the commands of it; so that it is his wisdom to observe it; and he may be truly called a wise man, Deu 4:6; Or that observes the law or commandments of his parents, which they enjoin him; see Pro 6:20; and particularly the law of God, which requires honour and obedience to be given to parents, and which turns to the account of children; it is well with them, and their days are prolonged on earth, and therefore they are wise that keep it, Eph 6:1; and such a wise son makes a glad father, as the contrary brings shame to him, as in the next clause;

but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father: that keeps company with gluttons, and indulges his sensual appetite with them; that "feeds" (d) such persons and himself, as some render the word; that gives up himself to an epicurean life: he brings himself at last to disgrace and poverty, and so causes shame to his father; who will be charged with neglecting his education, and indulging him in such a luxurious way of living; see Pro 10:5.

(d) "qui pascit", V. L. Pagninus, Piscator, Gejerus, Schultens; "pascitar", Michaelis; "pascens", Montanus.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Is a wise son; and consequently a credit and comfort to his father, as hath been oft noted before.

Is a companion of riotous men; which is both a manifest violation of God’s law, which forbids this society, and is the ready way to a total and final apostacy from God, and from his law.

Shameth his father, because he is a foolish son.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

7. Keepeth the law — Is moral in deportment and character. Comp. Mar_10:19; Mar_10:21.

Wise son — Discreet, intelligent, he also imparts instruction by his example.

A companion of riotous men — Profligates; margin, feedeth gluttons, “delighteth in prodigals.” — Stuart and Muenscher. But others, with the Authorized Version, read, companion, messmate. The idea probably is, that of a spendthrift who associates with prodigals like himself, feasting them at his own and his father’s expense.

Shameth, etc. — This may mean, wounds or injures, possibly by his shameful conduct.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Whoso keepeth the Law is a wise son. "Law" is torah, as ver. 4; but it seems here to include not only the Decalogue, but also the father"s instruction and commands. Such an obedient and prudent son brings honour and joy to a parent"s heart. (see Pro_10:1 Pro_29:3) He that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father; literally, he that feedeth, hath fellowship with, gluttons. (Pro_23:20) The son who herds with debauchers, and wastes his substance in riotous living, brings shame on, wounds, and insults, all connected with him. Such a one transgresses the Law and his father"s commands, and brings them into contempt. (comp. Pro_27:11) Hence the antithesis of the two clauses. Septuagint, "He that cherishes debauchery (poimainei aswtian ) dishonours his father." Aswtia occurs only in RAPC 2Ma 6:4, but is common in the New Testament; e.g. Eph_5:18 Tit_1:6.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7 He who keepeth instruction is a wise son;

But he that is a companion of profligates bringeth his father into shame.

We have translated תורה at Pro 28:4 by "law;" here it includes the father's instruction regarding the right way of life. נוצר תּורה, according to the nearest lying syntax, has to be taken as pred. זוללים are such as squander their means and destroy their health, vid., under Pro 23:20. רעה signifies, as frequently from the idea of (cf. Pro 29:3) pasturing, or properly of tending, to take care of, and to have fellowship with. יכלים shall put to shame denotes both that he himself does disgrace to him, and that he brings disgrace to him on the part of others.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Keeping the law is national wisdom and honor. (Deu 4:6 .) Invaluable is that training, which leads young persons, under the Lord’s blessing, to this happy personal choice. (Isa 56:6-7 .) Such are manifestly taught of God, and guided by his Spirit into true wisdom. For suppose a son of polished manners and intellectual endowments, yet without right principle; or one of moderate ability, in an humble walk of life, yet deeply imbued with practical godliness; could we hesitate, which was the wise son, bringing honor to his father’s name? (Pro 23:24 .) Yet how often is shame instead of honor, the father’s bitter exercise! For how is his name blotted, when the depraved son, bent upon his own gratification, chooses the companionship of the ungodly, and shortly becomes one of them!†1 Young man! in thy noisy mirth hast thou found solid enduring peace?†2 Let the man of God direct you in the "cleansing thy way, by taking heed thereto according to the word."†3 Let his choice be thine — "I am a companion," not of riotous men, but "of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."†4 Meet the enticements of thy former companions with a decided protest — "Depart from me, ye evil-doers; I will keep the commandments of my God."†5 Here is honor to thy father, happiness to thyself, usefulness to the Church, meetness for heaven.

Parents! Do we shrink from this overwhelming shame? Let us more diligently, more prayerfully cultivate that wise and holy training of our children, which is God’s appointed ordinance; and which, however long or severely he may try our faith, he will not fail to honor in his fittest time. (Pro 22:6 .)

Footnotes:

†1 Pro 19:26; Pro 23:19-22 ; Pro 29:3, Pro 29:15 . Luk 15:13 .

†2 Pro 14:13. Ecc 2:2 ; Ecc 7:6 .

†3 Psa 119:9, Psa 119:11 .

†4 Psa 119:63.

†5 Psa 119:115.

Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He who keeps the law

To "keep the law" means to do what God's law requires. AT: "He who obeys God's law" (See: Metaphor)

a son who has understanding

The abstract noun "understanding" can be expressed as a verb. AT: "a son who understands" (See: Abstract Nouns)

of gluttons

"of people who eat too much." A "glutton" is a person who often eats and drinks excessively.

shames his father

"puts his father to shame" or "dishonors his father"

makes his fortune

"increases his wealth"

charging too much interest

"charging extra money to borrow"

interest

money paid by a borrower for the use of someone else's money

gathers his wealth

"brings his wealth together"

for another

"for another person"

pity

a strong feeling of sadness or sympathy for someone

translationWords

law, laws

understand

companion

shame

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

but he who befriends gluttons Heb. ורעה. He associates with gluttons. This is an expression of friends (רעים).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.