Bible Strands
Proverbs 5:12
and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The father addresses his son at the end of a life of folly, describing the moment of regret after physical and spiritual depletion. The son will speak these words only after experiencing the consequences of ignoring parental instruction.
The words — The text highlights שָׂנֵאתִי (sa.Ne.ti), meaning "I hated," and נָאַ֥ץ (na.'Atz), meaning "spurned" or "despised." These verbs describe the active rejection of מוּסָר (mu.Sar, discipline) and תוֹכַ֗חַת (to.Kha.chat, reproof).
The thread — This rejection of correction echoes Proverbs 1:7 and 1:22, where fools are characterized by their contempt for wisdom and discipline. The same pattern of despising reproof appears in Proverbs 12:1, which contrasts the love of discipline with the stupidity of hating correction.
Why it lands — The text states that regret and bodily depletion follow the active refusal of instruction. It requires the reader to accept correction now rather than waiting for the inevitable groan of spent flesh.
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
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
Cross-references
- Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
- Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 1:25 because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,
- Proverbs 15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
- Exodus 2:13 The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?”
- Psalms 50:17 For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.
- Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
- Jeremiah 44:4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’
- Zechariah 1:4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.