Proverbs 29:8
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Original Language Analysis
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 7
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יָפִ֣יחוּ
bring
H6315
יָפִ֣יחוּ
bring
Strong's:
H6315
Word #:
3 of 7
to puff, i.e., blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff
Cross References
Proverbs 11:11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.Jeremiah 15:1Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cities required social cohesion for survival against external threats and internal disorder. Scoffers who undermined authority and sowed discord were genuine threats to civic stability. Solomon's concern for wise governance made identifying and restraining scornful influences a matter of political wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you see 'scornful men' inflaming division in contemporary society, and how can wisdom respond?
- How does your speech and attitude either kindle conflict or 'turn away wrath' in tense situations?
- What is the difference between legitimate prophetic critique and the destructive scorn Solomon condemns?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Scornful men bring a city into a snare (אַנְשֵׁי לָצוֹן יָפִיחוּ קִרְיָה)—the Hebrew latzôn (scorn/mockery) describes those who reject wisdom with cynical contempt. The verb yapichu means 'to blow into flame' or 'kindle'—scoffers inflame social discord, turning cities into traps (môqēš) of violence and chaos. These are demagogues who weaponize cynicism.
Conversely, wise men turn away wrath (חֲכָמִים יָשִׁיבוּ אָף)—chakamim (the wise) literally 'turn back' (yashibu) anger. Wisdom de-escalates; scorn inflames. Proverbs repeatedly warns against 'scorners' (Proverbs 1:22, 9:7-8, 13:1) as those impervious to correction and destructive to community.