Proverbs 9:8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
הוֹכַ֥ח
Reprove
H3198
הוֹכַ֥ח
Reprove
Strong's:
H3198
Word #:
2 of 8
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
לֵ֭ץ
not a scorner
H3887
לֵ֭ץ
not a scorner
Strong's:
H3887
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to make mouths at, i.e., to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
הוֹכַ֥ח
Reprove
H3198
הוֹכַ֥ח
Reprove
Strong's:
H3198
Word #:
6 of 8
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
Cross References
Psalms 141:5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.Proverbs 13:18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.Proverbs 23:9Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.Proverbs 15:12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.Matthew 7:6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.Proverbs 29:1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.Proverbs 28:23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.Leviticus 19:17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Historical Context
Scorners or scoffers appear throughout Proverbs as the opposite of the wise. Their defining trait is not ignorance but proud rejection of correction, making them morally and spiritually incorrigible apart from God's transforming grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when others point out your faults or errors?
- What makes you more like the wise person or the scorner in receiving correction?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The scorner's proud rejection of reproof contrasts with the wise person's grateful reception. Correcting a scoffer invites hatred, but instructing the wise produces love. This shows wisdom's social dimension—teachability marks the truly wise, while unteachability proves folly regardless of intelligence.