Proverbs 17:2

2 A wise servant shall be lord of fond sons; and he shall part heritage among brethren. (A wise servant shall be lord over his master's foolish sons and daughters; and in time he shall have part of the inheritance, along with the brothers and the sisters.)

Proverbs 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,
&c.] That does wicked and shameful actions: that is slothful, and will not attend to instruction or business; that is prodigal, wasteful, and luxurious, and causes shame to his parents, who blush at his conduct. Now a servant that behaves well and wisely in a family is observed and respected by his master, and he puts his wicked and extravagant son under him, makes him a tutor to him, and sets him to watch over him, and obliges his son to obey his orders. Jarchi illustrates this in Nebuchadnezzar ruling over the children of Israel; and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren;
be appointed by his master's will to a share in his estate among his children, for his faithful service to him in life, and to encourage him to take care of his family, his children, and his affairs, after his death; or through gifts in his lifetime shall have what is equal to what his sons have; or growing rich shall purchase a part of theirs, as Gussetius {y}: or "shall part the inheritance among the brethren" ^F26; being a wise man, his master shall leave him executor of his will, to divide his substance among his children, and see that everyone have their proper portion and equal share; but it rather is to be understood of his being a co-heir with them. So the Gentiles, through the will of the Lord, become fellow heirs of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ with the Jews, and share in the same inheritance with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their children; nay, when the children of the kingdom shall be shut out; see ( Ephesians 3:6 ) ( Matthew 8:11 Matthew 8:12 ) . Jarchi gives an ancient exposition of it thus,

``a proselyte of righteousness is better than a wicked native; and in time to come he shall divide the spoil and the inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel, at it is said in ( Ezekiel 47:23 ) ;''

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Ebr. Comment. p. 263.
F26 (qlxy) "dividet", Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Syriac version and the Targum; "partitur", Junius & Tremellius; "partieur", Piscator.

Proverbs 17:2 In-Context

1 Better is a dry morsel with joy, than an house full of sacrifices with chiding, (or with arguments).

2 A wise servant shall be lord of fond sons; and he shall part heritage among brethren. (A wise servant shall be lord over his master's foolish sons and daughters; and in time he shall have part of the inheritance, along with the brothers and the sisters.)

3 As silver is proved by fire, and gold is proved by a chimney, so the Lord proveth hearts.

4 An evil man obeyeth to a wicked tongue; and a false man obeyeth to false lips. (An evil person obeyeth a wicked tongue; and a liar obeyeth lies.)

5 He that despiseth a poor man, reproveth his maker; and he that is glad in the falling of another man, shall not be unpunished. (He who despiseth the poor, rebuketh his Maker; and he who is glad in the falling of another person, shall not go unpunished.)