Proverbs 9:12
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּ
for thyself but if thou scornest
H3887
וְ֝לַ֗צְתָּ
for thyself but if thou scornest
Strong's:
H3887
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to make mouths at, i.e., to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede
Cross References
Job 22:21Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.Ezekiel 18:20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Historical Context
Ezekiel 18 emphasizes individual responsibility before God, countering the proverb about fathers eating sour grapes. Each generation and person must personally appropriate or reject wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing personal responsibility affect your response to God's wisdom?
- What consequences have you experienced from either receiving or rejecting wisdom?
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Analysis & Commentary
Each person bears individual responsibility for their response to wisdom. Being wise benefits oneself, while scorning brings self-inflicted harm. This personal accountability before God refutes both deterministic fatalism and the notion that sin harms only others—we each answer for our own choices.