Bible Strands
Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The passage addresses a listener within a wisdom collection, warning against offering counsel to a fool. It appears between instructions about dining with a miserly host and preserving ancient property boundaries.
The words — The Hebrew כְּסִיל (Khe.sil) translates literally as "a fool," while יָבֻז (ya.Vuz) means "he will despise." These terms frame the fool not as merely ignorant but as actively contemptuous toward insight.
The thread — This warning echoes in Proverbs 9:7 and Proverbs 26:4, which caution that correcting mockers brings shame and answering fools lowers the responder to their level. Jesus reinforces the principle in Matthew 7:6 by forbidding the casting of pearls before swine.
Why it lands — The text commands restraint in speech when addressing someone who rejects wisdom, preventing the waste of insight on contempt. It asks the reader to recognize that some audiences will actively despise counsel, making silence the only prudent response.
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
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 9:7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
- Proverbs 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
- Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- Isaiah 36:21 But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
- John 8:52 “Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.
- John 10:20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
- Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
- Acts 28:25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.