Bible Strands
Proverbs 21:11
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses a general audience within a collection of moral instructions, positioning the saying between a description of the wicked man’s self-centered cravings (Proverbs 21:10) and a statement about the Righteous One’s judgment (Proverbs 21:12).
The words — The Hebrew לֵץ (letz) denotes a mocker, and דַּעַת (da'at) denotes practical knowledge or discernment.
The thread — The relationship between correction, the unlearned, and the teachable runs through Proverbs 19:25, Proverbs 18:15, and Proverbs 9:9.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to observe how punishment produces clarity in the unlearned, while demanding the teachable to actively receive instruction rather than rely on their current understanding.
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
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:25 Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
- Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
- Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- Acts 5:5 On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.
- Deuteronomy 21:21 Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
- Proverbs 18:1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
- Numbers 16:34 At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!”
- Deuteronomy 13:11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.
- Psalms 64:7 But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
- Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel