Proverbs 17:2

2. A son that causeth shame By his base conduct; “a degenerate son.” Zockler.

Among the brethren The brothers of the family; that is, among the heirs. Servitude among the Orientals, particularly among the Hebrews, was different in its spirit and conditions both from our modern slavery and from modern hired service. The servant, whether bought with money, (as they frequently were,) or born in the house, was regarded as a member of the family; not, indeed, as being naturally the equal of the son and heir, (comp. Genesis 21:10,) but as capable of becoming so in certain circumstances; as where there was no legitimate heir, (Genesis 15:2-3,) or where the heir or heirs acted basely, and brought upon themselves the displeasure of the father or patriarch, and were disinherited. The trusty, loyal, life-long servant then became heir; in some cases a sole heir, in others a co-heir with the brothers. Comp. 2Sa 9:10 ; 2 Samuel 16:4. Such were the customs and laws. Furthermore, as a person by misconduct, or poverty, which is frequently the result of misconduct, might be sold into servitude, the unworthy son, disinherited for his baseness, might also be sold into servitude, and purchased by the man once the servant of his father. Though exactly this cycle of events could not occur in our modern society, yet substantially the same thing does occur. A person brought up in a family as a dependent by his prudence and good conduct frequently rises to distinction in life, while the sons with whom he was reared, by imprudence, folly, improvidence, intemperance, or crime, are reduced to want, or dependence on the former menial of the family. Compare Proverbs 14:35. Miller renders the first clause, “the son of one who causeth shame.”