Bible Strands
Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses Israel's community regarding judicial conduct during periods of social conflict. The verse functions as a practical warning within a wisdom collection focused on managing disputes and civic order.
The words — The Hebrew נִשְׁפַּט (nishpot) denotes entering a formal legal dispute, while אֱוִיל (e'vil) defines the opponent as a fool lacking moral discernment. These terms establish the encounter as a structured judgment rather than a casual argument.
The thread — This pattern matches the prohibition against answering a fool in Proverbs 26:4 and the description of escalating foolish speech in Ecclesiastes 10:13. Jesus echoes the same principle in Matthew 7:6 by warning against exposing sacred matters to contempt.
Why it lands — The text states that engaging a fool in judgment produces only rage and mockery without resolution. It requires readers to recognize when a dispute lacks the capacity for justice and to withdraw rather than participate in futile conflict.
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
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
- Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
- 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.
- Matthew 11:17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’