Proverbs 20:20 - Wine is a Mocker

Audio Bible

Context

Wine is a Mocker
…19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. 20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness. 21An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.…

Cross References

Exodus 21:17
Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.Leviticus 20:9
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’Mark 7:10
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’Deuteronomy 27:16
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’Ephesians 6:2-3
“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.”Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.Matthew 10:21
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.Luke 18:20
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,Romans 1:30
slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.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.

Proverbs 30:11,17
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother…

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Exodus 21:17
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

lamp or candle

Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

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Proverbs 20

Whoever curses his father or mother
This phrase underscores the importance of honoring one's parents, a commandment deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). In ancient Israelite society, family was the foundational unit, and respect for parents was seen as respect for God's ordained order. Cursing one's parents was not merely a verbal offense but a serious breach of social and religious duty, reflecting a rebellious heart. The gravity of this act is highlighted in the law, which prescribed severe consequences for such behavior (Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9).

his lamp will be extinguished
The imagery of a lamp represents life, guidance, and prosperity. In biblical times, a lamp was essential for light in the darkness, symbolizing the presence of God and His guidance (Psalm 119:105). The extinguishing of a lamp signifies the removal of divine favor and protection, leading to a life devoid of direction and hope. This metaphor is used elsewhere in Scripture to denote the end of life or the cessation of one's legacy (Job 18:5-6; 21:17).

in deepest darkness
Deepest darkness, or "utter darkness," conveys a state of complete separation from God's presence and blessings. It is often associated with judgment and the absence of spiritual enlightenment (Matthew 8:12; 22:13). This phrase suggests not only physical death but also spiritual desolation, a fate reserved for those who reject divine wisdom and authority. The concept of darkness as judgment is prevalent throughout the Bible, symbolizing the ultimate consequence of living in rebellion against God's commandments.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Father and Mother
In the context of Proverbs, these figures represent not only biological parents but also authority figures and the wisdom of previous generations. They are central to the family unit, which is a foundational element of society in biblical teaching.

2. The Lamp
Symbolically, the lamp represents life, guidance, and the presence of God’s wisdom. In ancient times, a lamp was essential for light and safety, especially during the night.

3. Deepest Darkness
This phrase signifies a state of utter hopelessness and separation from God’s guidance and blessing. It is a metaphor for spiritual and moral darkness.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Honor
Honoring parents is a direct command from God and reflects our respect for His established order.

Disrespect towards parents is seen as a serious offense with spiritual consequences.

Consequences of Disobedience
Cursing parents leads to spiritual darkness, symbolizing a life devoid of God’s guidance and blessing.

The extinguishing of the lamp serves as a warning of the potential loss of spiritual insight and moral direction.

The Role of Family in Spiritual Formation
The family is a primary context for learning and practicing godly wisdom.

Parents are entrusted with the responsibility to teach and model God’s ways to their children.

Repentance and Restoration
While the consequences of cursing parents are severe, God offers forgiveness and restoration through repentance.

Seeking reconciliation with parents can restore the light of God’s wisdom in one’s life.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 20What does the evil eye mean?What does 'lamp of the wicked' mean in Proverbs?Proverbs 20:27 claims 'the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord'--how can this be reconciled with scientific understandings of human consciousness?What is the meaning of Proverbs 20:1?

(20) His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.--See above, on Proverbs 13:9.

Verse 20. - This is an enforcement of the fifth commandment, by denouncing the punishment which the moral government of God shall exact from the unnatural child. The legal penalty may be seen (Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9); but this was probably seldom or never carried into execution (comp. Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10). His lamp shall be put out in obscure (the blackest) darkness (comp. Proverbs 13:9). The expression is peculiar; it is literally, according to the Khetib, In the apple of the eye of darkness, as in Proverbs 7:9; i.e. in the very centre of darkness; he will find himself surrounded on all sides by midnight darkness, without escape, with no hope of Divine protection. "Lamp" is a metaphor applied to the bodily and the spiritual life, to happiness and prosperity, to a man's fame and reputation, to a man's posterity; and all these senses may be involved in the denunciation of the disobedient and stubborn child. He shall suffer in body and soul, in character, in fortune, in his children. His fate is the exact counterpart of the blessing promised in the Law. Septuagint, "The lamp of him that revileth father and mother shall be extinguished, and the pupils of his eyes shall behold darkness." Talmud, "Whosoever abandons his parents means his body to become the prey of scorpions." Cato, 'Dist.,' 3:23 -

"Dilige non aegra caros pietate parentes;
Nec matrem offendas, dum vis bonus esse parenti." One of the evil generations denounced by Agur (Proverbs 30:11) is that which curseth parents. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Whoever curses
מְ֭קַלֵּל (mə·qal·lêl)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling

his father
אָבִ֣יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

or mother,
וְאִמּ֑וֹ (wə·’im·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

his lamp
נֵ֝ר֗וֹ (nê·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5216: A lamp, light

will be extinguished
יִֽדְעַ֥ךְ (yiḏ·‘aḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1846: To be extinguished, to expire, be dried up

in deepest
בֶּאֱשׁ֥וּן (be·’ĕ·šūn)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 380: The little man of the eye, the pupil, ball, the middle

darkness.
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ (ḥō·šeḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

Links

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Proverbs 20:20 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother (Prov. Pro Pr)