Bible Strands
Proverbs 15:5
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The passage belongs to a collection of wisdom instructions contrasting two behavioral patterns, positioned between observations on the power of speech and the moral economy of household wealth.
The words — The Hebrew יִנְאַץ (Yin.'atz) translates literally as "he spurns," applied to מוּסַר (mu.Sar), "discipline," while שֹׁמֵר (sho.Mer) means "keeps" or "heeds" regarding תּוֹכַחַת (to.Kha.chat), "correction."
The thread — This structural pattern appears in Proverbs 13:1, which contrasts a wise son who listens to his father's discipline with a mocker who refuses rebuke, and in Proverbs 13:18, which ties the rejection of discipline to poverty and shame while promising honor to those who heed correction.
Why it lands — The text defines prudence as the active acceptance of correction and identifies foolishness with the deliberate refusal of parental discipline, establishing obedience as the measurable marker of wisdom.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
- Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
- Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
- Titus 2:15 Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- 1 Chronicles 22:11 Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
- Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith