Proverbs 19:26

The one who robs ¹  his father ²  and chases away his mother is a son ³  who brings shame and disgrace.

De 21:18-21; Pr 10:1; Pr 10:5; Pr 17:2; Pr 17:25; Pr 23:22-25; Pr 28:7; Pr 28:14; Pr 30:11,17; Lu 15:12-16,30

¹ tn The construction joins the Piel participle מְשַׁדֶּד (mÿshaded, “one who robs”) with the Hiphil imperfect יַבְרִיחַ (yavriakh, “causes to flee” = chases away). The imperfect given a progressive imperfect nuance matches the timeless description of the participle as a substantive.

² sn “Father” and “mother” here represent a stereotypical word pair in the book of Proverbs, rather than describing separate crimes against each individual parent. Both crimes are against both parents.

³ tn The more generic “child” does not fit the activities described in this verse and so “son” is retained in the translation. In the ancient world a “son” was more likely than a daughter to behave as stated. Such behavior may reflect the son wanting to take over his father’s lands prematurely.