Proverbs 23:24
New International Version
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

New Living Translation
The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

English Standard Version
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Berean Standard Bible
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

Berean Literal Bible
The father of a righteous one will greatly rejoice, and the one begetting a wise son will be glad in him.

King James Bible
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

New King James Version
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

New American Standard Bible
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

NASB 1995
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise son will be glad in him.

NASB 1977
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.

Legacy Standard Bible
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.

Amplified Bible
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

Berean Annotated Bible
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

Christian Standard Bible
The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

American Standard Version
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.

Contemporary English Version
Make your father truly happy by living right and showing sound judgment.

English Revised Version
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A righteous person's father will certainly rejoice. Someone who has a wise son will enjoy him.

Good News Translation
A righteous person's parents have good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise child.

International Standard Version
The father of a righteous person will greatly rejoice; whoever fathers a wise son will be glad because of him.

NET Bible
The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him.

New Heart English Bible
The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.

Webster's Bible Translation
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

World English Bible
The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The father of the righteous rejoices greatly, "" The begetter of the wise rejoices in him.

Berean Literal Bible
The father of a righteous one will greatly rejoice, and the one begetting a wise son will be glad in him.

Young's Literal Translation
The father of the righteous rejoiceth greatly, The begetter of the wise rejoiceth in him.

Smith's Literal Translation
The father of the just one rejoicing, shall rejoice: he shall beget a wise one and shall rejoice in him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The father of the just rejoiceth greatly: he that hath begotten a wise son, shall have joy in him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The father of the just exults in gladness; he who has conceived the wise will rejoice in him.

New American Bible
The father of a just person will exult greatly; whoever begets a wise son will rejoice in him.

New Revised Standard Version
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The father of a righteous man shall greatly rejoice; and he who begets a wise child shall be glad.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The father of the righteous will exult and leap for joy, and he that begets a wise son, and his father will rejoice in him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A righteous father brings up his children well; and his soul rejoices over a wise son.

Additional Translations ...



Context
True Riches
23Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him. 25May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice!…

Cross References
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice,

Proverbs 29:3
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

Proverbs 15:20
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 17:21
A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Proverbs 19:26
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 28:7
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’


Treasury of Scripture

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begets a wise child shall have joy of him.

father

Proverbs 23:15,16
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine…

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 15:20
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

shall have

Philemon 1:19
I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

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Begets Begetteth Child Delights Fathers Glad Great Greatly Joy Rejoice Rejoiceth Righteous Sires Upright Wise
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Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you












The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice,

A son’s upright conduct brought honor and gladness to his family in Israel, where a household’s reputation was closely tied to the character of its children. Righteousness meant living faithfully under God’s commands, and such a life gave a father reason to rejoice in the blessing and stability it produced.

Pro 29:3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,…
Pro 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy…
3Jn 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that…

and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is understanding and discernment applied in a life that pleases God, shown in the fear of the Lord and in choices that preserve truth, justice, and peace. A wise son brings lasting delight to his father because his life reflects sound instruction and strengthens the family rather than bringing grief or shame.

Pro 15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man…
Pro 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;…
Pro 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s discipline……

Persons / Places / Events
1. Father
Represents a parental figure who has invested in the upbringing and moral development of their child. In the context of ancient Israel, the father was often seen as the head of the household and responsible for the spiritual and moral guidance of the family.

2. Righteous Man
Refers to an individual who lives in accordance with God's laws and principles. In Hebrew, the word for "righteous" is (tzaddik), which implies someone who is just, ethical, and in right standing with God.

3. Wise Son
A child who embodies wisdom, which in the Hebrew context ( - chakam) means not only having knowledge but also applying it in a way that honors God and benefits others.
Teaching Points
The Joy of Righteousness
A righteous life not only honors God but also brings joy to those who have invested in our spiritual growth. Parents find deep satisfaction in seeing their children walk in truth and righteousness.

Wisdom as a Source of Delight
Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is the application of God's truth in daily life. A wise child is a source of delight because they reflect the values and teachings imparted by their parents.

Parental Responsibility
Parents are called to nurture and guide their children in the ways of the Lord. The joy described in this verse is a result of diligent parenting and the grace of God working in a child's life.

Legacy of Faith
The verse encourages us to consider the legacy we leave behind. A life lived in righteousness and wisdom impacts not only our immediate family but also future generations.

Encouragement for Parents
This verse serves as encouragement for parents to continue investing in their children's spiritual growth, trusting that their efforts will bear fruit in due time.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 23:24?

2. How can we bring joy to our parents according to Proverbs 23:24?

3. What does Proverbs 23:24 reveal about the value of righteousness?

4. How does Proverbs 23:24 connect with Ephesians 6:1-3 on honoring parents?

5. In what ways can we pursue righteousness in our daily lives?

6. How can parents encourage righteousness in their children, based on Proverbs 23:24?

7. How does Proverbs 23:24 define a righteous and wise child?

8. What cultural context influenced the writing of Proverbs 23:24?

9. How does Proverbs 23:24 relate to the overall theme of wisdom in Proverbs?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 23?


Verse 24. - The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice. The father of a righteous son who has won truth and profited by the possession has good cause to be glad (Proverbs 10:1). Septuagint erroneously, "A righteous father brings up children well." The second clause repeats the first in different words, with the further idea that the wise son affords his father practical proof of the excellence of his moral training. The contrast is seen in Proverbs 17:21.

Proverbs 23:24 teaches that righteous, wise children are a God-given source of deep parental joy. The verse calls children to pursue godliness, parents to nurture it, and families to celebrate when it appears. Earthly success may impress, but spiritual integrity brings lasting rejoicing and delight, echoing the Father’s own pleasure when His children “walk in the truth.”

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The father
אֲבִ֣י (’ă·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1: Father

of a righteous man
צַדִּ֑יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

will greatly rejoice,
גִּ֣יל (gîl)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1523: To spin round, rejoice, fear

and he who fathers
וְיוֹלֵ֥ד (wə·yō·w·lêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

a wise son
חָ֝כָ֗ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

will delight in him.
יִשְׂמַח־ (yiś·maḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome


Additonal Resources
Proverbs 23:24 Blue Letter Bible
Proverbs 23:24 Bible Gateway
Proverbs 23:24 Bible.com

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Proverbs 23:24 Study Bible
Proverbs 23:24 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 23:24 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 23:24 French Bible
Proverbs 23:24 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous has great (Prov. Pro Pr)

Proverbs 23:23
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