Bible Strands
Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A wisdom teacher (traditionally Solomon) addresses a son or student, issuing a warning about the endpoint of persistent refusal to receive correction.
The words — מַקְשֶׁה (mak.sheh-) is an active participle: "one who hardens," marking the subject's deliberate, repeated choice rather than passive stubbornness. פֶּתַע (Pe.ta') — "suddenly" — carries the shock of the outcome arriving without warning.
The thread — Proverbs 6:15 uses the same "suddenly shattered beyond recovery" language for the wicked; Proverbs 1:24 frames the refusal as turning from God's outstretched hand; 1 Samuel 2:25 escalates the principle to the point where no intercession remains.
Why it lands — The verse asks the reader to identify which side of the pattern they are on: the one receiving reproof, or the one hardening against it. It offers no second warning after the shattering.
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
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 6:15 Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.
- Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
- 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
- Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
- Proverbs 28:18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
- John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
- John 13:18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
- John 13:26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
- Nehemiah 9:29 You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
- Jeremiah 35:13 “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: ‘Will you not accept discipline and obey My words?’ declares the LORD.