Bible Strands
Proverbs 9:7
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The speaker, Wisdom, addresses a general audience seeking understanding in the immediate context of Proverbs 9. She issues this warning directly after commanding listeners to abandon folly and walk in understanding.
The words — The Hebrew לֵ֗ץ (lētṣ) denotes a "mocker" who habitually scorns correction, while קָל֑וֹן (qālôn) literally means "shame" or "disgrace." The text states that attempting to correct such a person causes the corrector to receive shame or personal taint.
The thread — This warning echoes in Proverbs 15:12, which notes a mocker rejects reproof, and Proverbs 23:9, which advises against speaking to a fool. The pattern of mocking God's messengers appears in 2 Chronicles 36:16.
Why it lands — The verse demands pragmatic discernment in correction, requiring the reader to assess whether a target will respond to rebuke or only retaliate. It instructs the reader to conserve effort for those open to wisdom rather than engaging those committed to scorn.
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 reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:12 A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
- Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
- 2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
- 2 Chronicles 25:15 Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?”
- 2 Chronicles 24:20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
- Genesis 19:8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them to you, and you can do to them as you please. But do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
- 1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
- 1 Kings 21:20 When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”
- 1 Kings 22:27 and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”