Proverbs 19:26 Meaning and Explanation
“He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A child who squanders his father's legacy and rejects his mother brings shame to the family.
The Context of Proverbs 19:26
Squandering family legacy and abusing parents brings familial shame.
What Does Proverbs 19:26 Mean?
The verse names two failures of a son: he 'wasteth his father'—either through poor stewardship, gambling, dissolution, or simply failure to honor the father's memory and legacy—and 'chaseth away his mother'—he may drive her from the home through abuse, neglect, or disrespect. Both acts are profound rejections of family covenant and care. He has been given life, provision, and love; he repays it with waste and cruelty.
Such a son 'causeth shame, and bringeth reproach'—his conduct covers the entire household with disgrace. The verse speaks directly to adult children: your conduct reflects not just on you but on those who raised you. To squander what was given and to abuse those who cared for you is to betray the fundamental human bond and invite the judgment and shame that follows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 19:26
What does Proverbs 19:26 mean?
A child who squanders his father's legacy and rejects his mother brings shame to the family.
What is the context of Proverbs 19:26?
Squandering family legacy and abusing parents brings familial shame.