C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch on Proverbs 15:20-23

Pro 15:20-23

This collection of Solomonic proverbs began, Pro 10:1, with a proverb having reference to the observance of the fourth commandment,The fifth commandment of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is named as the fourth in Luther’s catechism. and a second chief section, Pro 13:1, began in the same way. Here a proverb of the same kind designates the beginning of a third chief section. That the editor was aware of this is shown by the homogeneity of the proverbs, Pro 15:19; Pro 12:28, which form the conclusion of the first and second sections. We place together first in this new section, Pro 15:20-23, in which (with the exception of Pro 15:25) the ישׂמח [maketh glad] of the first (Pro 10:1) is continued. Pro 15:20 20 A wise son maketh a glad father,      And a fool of a man despiseth his mother.

Line first = Pro 10:1. The gen. connection of כּסיל אדם (here and at Pro 21:20) is not superlative the most foolish of men, but like פּרא אדם, Gen 16:12; the latter: a man of the wild ass kind; the former: a man of the fool kind, who is the exemplar of such a sort among men. Piety acting in willing subordination is wisdom, and the contrary exceeding folly.