Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

PROVERBS 29:3KJV
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Proverbs 29:3 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 29:3 mean?

Proverbs 29:3 says that a person who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but someone who spends time with prostitutes wastes his wealth. The verse contrasts the happiness and pride a wise child brings to a parent with the disappointment and loss caused by reckless living.

This proverb comes from a collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, directed at young people learning how to live well. The verse uses two vivid examples: one who values wisdom and another who chooses destructive company. The focus is on the real-life outcomes of these choices—either family joy and stability or personal and financial ruin.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 29:3

  • חָכְמָה (ḥokhmah, "wisdom"): This word means more than just knowledge; it refers to skillful, practical living that aligns with what is right and good. Loving this kind of wisdom is shown as a source of deep family pride.
  • זֹנָה (zonah, "harlots"): This term specifically means prostitutes, highlighting not just sexual immorality but also the kind of reckless, impulsive behavior that leads to ruin.
  • יִשְׂמַח (yismach, "rejoiceth"): This verb means to make someone glad or joyful. The verse emphasizes that a wise child doesn't just avoid trouble but actively brings happiness to his father.
  • יְבוּל (yevul, "substance"): This word means wealth or resources, pointing to the practical, material consequences of foolish choices.

Why Proverbs 29:3 matters

  • Proverbs 29:3 clarifies that wisdom is not just a private virtue but has visible effects on family relationships and reputation.
  • The verse highlights that foolishness, especially in the form of reckless sexual behavior, leads to real and lasting loss—not just moral failure, but wasted resources and broken trust.
  • This proverb fits into a larger biblical theme: the choices of children deeply affect their families, for good or ill, and wisdom is always portrayed as a path to lasting joy and stability.

Where else these words appear

“substance” Hebrew H1952 · used in 26 verses

  • Psalms 44:12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
  • Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
  • Proverbs 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

“harlots” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Kings 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
  • Ezekiel 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

“wisdom” Hebrew H2451 · used in 141 verses

  • Exodus 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
  • Job 28:20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
  • Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

“company” Hebrew H7462 · used in 144 verses

  • Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
  • Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
  • Jeremiah 33:12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.