TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Proverbs 1

BSB·33 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1These are the proverbs of Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֣הšə·lō·mōh — His peaceH8010 — Full Word Study → sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Davidדָּוִ֑דdā·wiḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study →, kingמֶ֝֗לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, 2for gainingלָדַ֣עַתlā·ḏa·‘aṯ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָ֣הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → and disciplineוּמוּסָ֑רū·mū·sār — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study →, for comprehendingלְ֝הָבִ֗יןlə·hā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → wordsאִמְרֵ֥י’im·rê — Word, speech, saying, utteranceH561 — Full Word Study → of insightבִינָֽה׃ḇî·nāh — Understanding; discernment; insightH998 — Full Word Study →, 3and for receiving instructionמוּסַ֣רmū·sar — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study → in wise livingהַשְׂכֵּ֑לhaś·kêl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → and in righteousnessצֶ֥דֶקṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study →, justiceוּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טū·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →, and equityוּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃ū·mê·šā·rîm — Uprightness, righteousness, equityH4339 — Full Word Study →. 4To impartלָתֵ֣תlā·ṯêṯ — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → prudenceעָרְמָ֑ה‘ā·rə·māh — craftiness, prudent cunning, strategic wisdomH6195 — Full Word Study → to the simpleלִפְתָאיִ֣םlip̄·ṯā·yim — Simple, naive, or easily deceived personH6612 — Full Word Study → and knowledge and discretionוּמְזִמָּֽה׃ū·mə·zim·māh — wicked plot, malicious scheme, or lustful intentionH4209 — Full Word Study → to the youngלְ֝נַ֗עַרlə·na·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study →, 5let the wise listenיִשְׁמַ֣עyiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → and gainוְי֣וֹסֶףwə·yō·w·sep̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → instructionלֶ֑קַחle·qaḥ — Teaching, doctrine, or instructionH3948 — Full Word Study →, and the discerningוְ֝נָב֗וֹןwə·nā·ḇō·wn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → acquireיִקְנֶֽה׃yiq·neh — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → wise counselתַּחְבֻּל֥וֹתtaḥ·bu·lō·wṯ — Wise counsel, skillful advice, strategic guidanceH8458 — Full Word Study → 6by understandingלְהָבִ֣יןlə·hā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → the proverbsמָ֭שָׁלmā·šāl — Proverb; a wise saying or parableH4912 — Full Word Study → and parablesוּמְלִיצָ֑הū·mə·lî·ṣāh — Mockery, taunt, or scornful speechH4426 — Full Word Study →, the sayingsדִּבְרֵ֥יdiḇ·rê — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → and riddlesוְחִידֹתָֽם׃wə·ḥî·ḏō·ṯām — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study → of the wiseחֲ֝כָמִ֗יםḥă·ḵā·mîm — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study →. 7The fearיִרְאַ֣תyir·’aṯ — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is the beginning of knowledgeדָּ֑עַתdā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study →, but fools despiseבָּֽזוּ׃פbā·zū — to despise, treat with contemptH936 — Full Word Study → wisdomחָכְמָ֥הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → and disciplineוּ֝מוּסָ֗רū·mū·sār — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study →. 8Listenשְׁמַ֣עšə·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, my sonבְּ֭נִיbə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, to your father’sאָבִ֑יךָ’ā·ḇî·ḵā — H1 — Full Word Study → instructionמוּסַ֣רmū·sar — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study →, and do not forsakeתִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁtiṭ·ṭōš — to abandon, forsake, or let goH5203 — Full Word Study → the teachingתּוֹרַ֥תtō·w·raṯ — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study → of your motherאִמֶּֽךָ׃’im·me·ḵā — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →. 9Forכִּ֤י׀kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → theyהֵ֬םhêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → are a garland of graceחֵ֓ןḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study → on your headלְרֹאשֶׁ֑ךָlə·rō·še·ḵā — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → and a pendantוַ֝עֲנָקִ֗יםwa·‘ă·nā·qîm — Necklace or ornamental chain worn around the neckH6060 — Full Word Study → around your neckלְגַרְגְּרֹתֶֽיךָ׃lə·ḡar·gə·rō·ṯe·ḵā — Neck or throatH1621 — Full Word Study →. 10My sonבְּנִ֡יbə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → sinnersחַ֝טָּאִ֗יםḥaṭ·ṭā·’îm — A sinner; one who transgresses God's lawH2400 — Full Word Study → entice youיְפַתּ֥וּךָyə·p̄at·tū·ḵā — To open, enlarge, or deceive; to entice or seduceH6601 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → yield to them. 11Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → they sayיֹאמְרוּ֮yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Comeלְכָ֪הlə·ḵāh — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → alongאִ֫תָּ֥נוּ’it·tā·nū — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study →, let us lie in waitנֶאֶרְבָ֥הne·’er·ḇāh — To lie in ambush; to set a trap or attack by stealthH693 — Full Word Study → for bloodלְדָ֑םlə·ḏām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, let us ambushנִצְפְּנָ֖הniṣ·pə·nāh — to hide, conceal, treasure up, or keep secretH6845 — Full Word Study → the innocentלְנָקִ֣יlə·nā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → without causeחִנָּֽם׃ḥin·nām — without cause; freely; in vainH2600 — Full Word Study →, 12let us swallow themנִ֭בְלָעֵםniḇ·lā·‘êm — to swallow, devour, consume completelyH1104 — Full Word Study → aliveחַיִּ֑יםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → like Sheolכִּשְׁא֣וֹלkiš·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study →, and wholeוּ֝תְמִימִ֗יםū·ṯə·mî·mîm — Unblemished, whole, complete, perfectH8549 — Full Word Study → like those descendingכְּי֣וֹרְדֵיkə·yō·wr·ḏê — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → into the Pitבֽוֹר׃ḇō·wr — Pit, cistern, or dungeon; a deep holeH953 — Full Word Study →. 13We will find all mannerכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → of preciousיָקָ֣רyā·qār — precious, valuable, honoredH3368 — Full Word Study → goodsה֣וֹןhō·wn — Wealth, substance, possessions, or material resourcesH1952 — Full Word Study →; we will fill our housesבָתֵּ֣ינוּḇāt·tê·nū — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → with plunderשָׁלָֽל׃šā·lāl — Plunder, spoils of war; prey taken in battleH7998 — Full Word Study →. 14Throw inתַּפִּ֣ילtap·pîl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → your lotגּ֭וֹרָ֣לְךָgō·w·rā·lə·ḵā — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → with usבְּתוֹכֵ֑נוּbə·ṯō·w·ḵê·nū — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →; let us allלְכֻלָּֽנוּ׃lə·ḵul·lā·nū — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → shareיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → oneאֶ֝חָ֗ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → purseכִּ֥יסkîs — Purse, bag, or pouch for carrying itemsH3599 — Full Word Study →”— 15my sonבְּנִ֗יbə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → walkתֵּלֵ֣ךְtê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → the roadבְּדֶ֣רֶךְbə·ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → with themאִתָּ֑ם’it·tām — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → or setמְנַ֥עmə·na‘ — to withhold, restrain, or refuse to giveH4513 — Full Word Study → footרַ֝גְלְךָ֗raḡ·lə·ḵā — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → upon their pathמִנְּתִיבָתָֽם׃min·nə·ṯî·ḇā·ṯām — A beaten track or well-worn path; a way or roadH5410 — Full Word Study →. 16Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → their feetרַ֭גְלֵיהֶםraḡ·lê·hem — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → runיָר֑וּצוּyā·rū·ṣū — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → to evilלָרַ֣עlā·ra‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, and they are swiftוִֽ֝ימַהֲר֗וּwî·ma·hă·rū — to hurry, hasten, make hasteH4116 — Full Word Study → to shedלִשְׁפָּךְ־liš·pāḵ- — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּֽם׃dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. 17Howכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → futile it is to spreadמְזֹרָ֣הmə·zō·rāh — to scatter, winnow, or disperseH2219 — Full Word Study → the netהָרָ֑שֶׁתhā·rā·šeṯ — Net; mesh; network; trapH7568 — Full Word Study → where anyכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → birdבַּ֥עַלba·ʿal — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study → can see itבְּ֝עֵינֵ֗יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →! 18But theyוְ֭הֵםwə·hêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → lie in waitיֶאֱרֹ֑בוּye·’ĕ·rō·ḇū — To lie in ambush; to set a trap or attack by stealthH693 — Full Word Study → for their own blood; they ambushיִ֝צְפְּנ֗וּyiṣ·pə·nū — to hide, conceal, treasure up, or keep secretH6845 — Full Word Study → their own lives. 19Such is the fateאָ֭רְחוֹת’ā·rə·ḥō·wṯ — Way, path, or manner of travelingH734 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who are greedyבֹּ֣צֵֽעַbō·ṣê·a‘ — to cut off, gain greedily, covetH1214 — Full Word Study →, whose unjust gainבָּ֑צַעbā·ṣa‘ — unjust gain; dishonest profitH1215 — Full Word Study → takesיִקָּֽח׃פyiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the livesנֶ֖פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → of its possessorsבְּעָלָ֣יוbə·‘ā·lāw — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study →. 20Wisdomחָ֭כְמוֹתḥā·ḵə·mō·wṯ — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → calls outתָּרֹ֑נָּהtā·rōn·nāh — To shout or sing aloud with joy; to cry out triumphantlyH7442 — Full Word Study → in the streetבַּח֣וּץba·ḥūṣ — Outside, exterior, or open space beyond a boundaryH2351 — Full Word Study →, she liftsתִּתֵּ֥ןtit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → her voiceקוֹלָֽהּ׃qō·w·lāh — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → in the squareבָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹתbā·rə·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ — public square, street, plazaH7339 — Full Word Study →; 21in the mainבְּרֹ֥אשׁbə·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → concourseהֹמִיּ֗וֹתhō·mî·yō·wṯ — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study → she cries aloudתִּ֫קְרָ֥אtiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, at the cityבָּעִ֗ירbā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → gatesשְׁעָרִ֥יםšə·‘ā·rîm — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → she makesתֹאמֵֽר׃ṯō·mêr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → her speechאֲמָרֶ֥יהָ’ă·mā·re·hā — Word, speech, saying, utteranceH561 — Full Word Study →: 22Howעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → longמָתַ֣י׀mā·ṯay — when, how long, until whenH4970 — Full Word Study →, O simple onesפְּתָיִם֮pə·ṯā·yim — Simple, naive, or easily deceived personH6612 — Full Word Study →, will you loveתְּֽאֵהֲב֫וּtə·’ê·hă·ḇū — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → your simple ways? How long will scoffersוְלֵצִ֗יםwə·lê·ṣîm — to mock, scorn, or ridiculeH3887 — Full Word Study → delightחָמְד֣וּḥā·mə·ḏū — To desire, covet, or take delight inH2530 — Full Word Study → in their scornלָ֭צוֹןlā·ṣō·wn — Scorning, derision, contemptH3944 — Full Word Study → and foolsוּ֝כְסִילִ֗יםū·ḵə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → hateיִשְׂנְאוּ־yiś·nə·’ū- — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → knowledgeדָֽעַת׃ḏā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study →? 23If you had repentedתָּשׁ֗וּבוּtā·šū·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → at my rebukeלְֽת֫וֹכַחְתִּ֥יlə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tî — Rebuke, correction, reproofH8433 — Full Word Study →, then surelyהִנֵּ֤הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → I would have poured outאַבִּ֣יעָה’ab·bî·‘āh — to pour out, gush forth, utter abundantlyH5042 — Full Word Study → my spirit on youרוּחִ֑יrū·ḥî — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →; I would have madeאוֹדִ֖יעָה’ō·w·ḏî·‘āh — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → my wordsדְבָרַ֣יḏə·ḇā·ray — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → known to youאֶתְכֶֽם׃’eṯ·ḵem — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study →. 24Becauseיַ֣עַןya·‘an — Because; on account of; for the reason thatH3282 — Full Word Study → you refusedוַתְּמָאֵ֑נוּwat·tə·mā·’ê·nū — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → my callקָ֭רָאתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, and no oneוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → tookמַקְשִֽׁיב׃maq·šîḇ — To listen attentively; to give heedH7181 — Full Word Study → my outstretchedנָטִ֥יתִיnā·ṭî·ṯî — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → handיָ֝דִ֗יyā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, 25because you neglectedוַתִּפְרְע֥וּwat·tip̄·rə·‘ū — to let loose; expose; avengeH6544 — Full Word Study → allכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my counselעֲצָתִ֑י‘ă·ṣā·ṯî — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study →, and wantedאֲבִיתֶֽם׃’ă·ḇî·ṯem — to be willing, consent, desireH14 — Full Word Study → noneלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of my correctionוְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗יwə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tî — Rebuke, correction, reproofH8433 — Full Word Study →, 26in turnגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → Iאֲ֭נִי’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will mockאֶשְׂחָ֑ק’eś·ḥāq — to laugh, mock, or make sportH7832 — Full Word Study → your calamityבְּאֵידְכֶ֣םbə·’ê·ḏə·ḵem — calamity, disaster, ruinH343 — Full Word Study →; I will sneerאֶ֝לְעַ֗ג’el·‘aḡ — To mock, deride, or laugh in scornH3932 — Full Word Study → when terrorפַחְדְּכֶֽם׃p̄aḥ·də·ḵem — dread, terror, overwhelming fearH6343 — Full Word Study → strikes youבְּבֹ֣אbə·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →, 27when your dreadפַּחְדְּכֶ֗םpaḥ·də·ḵem — dread, terror, overwhelming fearH6343 — Full Word Study → comesבְּבֹ֤אbə·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → like a stormכְשַׁאֲוָהḵə·ša·ʾă·wå̄h — Desolation, ruin, devastationH7584 — Full Word Study →, and your destructionוְֽ֭אֵידְכֶםwə·’ê·ḏə·ḵem — calamity, disaster, ruinH343 — Full Word Study → like a whirlwindכְּסוּפָ֣הkə·sū·p̄āh — storm, whirlwind, tempest, or hurricaneH5492 — Full Word Study →, when distressצָרָ֥הṣā·rāh — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → and anguishוְצוּקָֽה׃wə·ṣū·qāh — Distress, anguish, or a narrow straitH6695 — Full Word Study → overwhelm youבְּבֹ֥אbə·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. 28Thenאָ֣ז’āz — Then; at that time; thereforeH227 — Full Word Study → they will call on meיִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִיyiq·rā·’un·nî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, but I will notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → answerאֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה’e·‘ĕ·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find meיִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃yim·ṣā·’un·nî — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study →. 29Forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they hatedשָׂ֣נְאוּśā·nə·’ū — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → knowledgeדָ֑עַתḏā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study → and choseבָחָֽרוּ׃ḇā·ḥā·rū — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to fearוְיִרְאַ֥תwə·yir·’aṯ — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֝הֹוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 30They acceptedאָב֥וּ’ā·ḇū — to be willing, consent, desireH14 — Full Word Study → noneלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of my counselלַעֲצָתִ֑יla·‘ă·ṣā·ṯî — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study →; they despisedנָ֝אֲצ֗וּnā·’ă·ṣū — To spurn, reject, or treat with contemptH5006 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my reproofתּוֹכַחְתִּֽי׃tō·w·ḵaḥ·tî — Rebuke, correction, reproofH8433 — Full Word Study →. 31So they will eat the fruitמִפְּרִ֣יmip·pə·rî — Fruit; produce; offspring; rewardH6529 — Full Word Study → of their own wayדַרְכָּ֑םḏar·kām — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, and be filledיִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃yiś·bā·‘ū — to satisfy, fill, have enoughH7646 — Full Word Study → with their own devicesוּֽמִמֹּעֲצֹ֖תֵיהֶ֣םū·mim·mō·‘ă·ṣō·ṯê·hem — counsel, advice, or deliberate planH4156 — Full Word Study →. 32Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the waywardnessמְשׁוּבַ֣תmə·šū·ḇaṯ — Apostasy; deliberate spiritual unfaithfulnessH4878 — Full Word Study → of the simpleפְּתָיִ֣םpə·ṯā·yim — Simple, naive, or easily deceived personH6612 — Full Word Study → will slay themתַּֽהַרְגֵ֑םta·har·ḡêm — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study →, and the complacencyוְשַׁלְוַ֖תwə·šal·waṯ — ease, peace, prosperity, tranquilityH7962 — Full Word Study → of foolsכְּסִילִ֣יםkə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → will destroy themתְּאַבְּדֵֽם׃tə·’ab·bə·ḏêm — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →. 33But whoever listensוְשֹׁמֵ֣עַֽwə·šō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to me will dwell in safetyבֶּ֑טַחbe·ṭaḥ — Security, confidence, trust, or safetyH983 — Full Word Study →, secureוְ֝שַׁאֲנַ֗ןwə·ša·’ă·nan — To rest, be at ease, dwell securelyH7599 — Full Word Study → from the fearמִפַּ֥חַדmip·pa·ḥaḏ — dread, terror, overwhelming fearH6343 — Full Word Study → of evilרָעָֽה׃פrā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →.”
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 1
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs chapter 1 serves as a foundational introduction to the entire book, establishing its purpose and central theme: the pursuit of wisdom as the pathway to a godly and prosperous life. Solomon presents wisdom not as abstract philosophy, but as practical instruction grounded in the fear of the LORD. The chapter contrasts two paths—one of wisdom and obedience, the other of foolishness and rebellion—and calls young people especially to choose wisely. Throughout, Solomon emphasizes that wisdom begins with reverence for God and receptiveness to instruction, whether from parents, wise counselors, or the voice of Wisdom herself.

Verses 1–6: The Purpose of Proverbs

These opening verses establish both the author and the aim of the book. Solomon, the wisest king in Israel's history, wrote these proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding to readers of all ages. The passage lists several benefits: knowledge of wisdom, justice, equity, and sound judgment (v. 2–3); understanding and discernment for the young and inexperienced (v. 4); and increased learning for those already wise (v. 5). Verse 6 acknowledges that these teachings use metaphors and "dark sayings"—profound truths wrapped in memorable language that require reflection. This opening tells us that Proverbs is not shallow advice, but deep instruction requiring an earnest, humble spirit to receive and apply it.

Verse 7: The Foundation of All Wisdom

This verse is the theological cornerstone of the entire book: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Here, "fear" does not mean terror, but reverential awe and submission to God's authority. This is not fear that drives us away from God, but toward Him. Without this foundation—this recognition that God is God and we are accountable to Him—all other learning becomes distorted. By contrast, fools despise wisdom and instruction; they refuse to bow before God's truth. For believers, this verse reminds us that genuine growth in wisdom always begins with humility before God.

Verses 8–9: Honoring Parental Instruction

Solomon now addresses young people directly, calling them to heed their father's instruction and mother's teaching. These parental words are not burdensome restraints, but ornaments of grace and chains of honor (v. 9)—that is, they beautify and protect the life that receives them. Parents who model and teach God's ways provide an incomparable gift. This instruction remains vital; in our modern age, children and young adults need the voice of faithful parents and mentors guiding them toward wisdom and away from destruction.

Verses 10–19: The Warning Against Evil Companions

Solomon vividly portrays the enticement of sinners who invite the young into violence, robbery, and greed. They promise wealth and shared spoils (v. 11–14), but Solomon exposes the deadly end: their own schemes trap and destroy them (v. 18–19). Just as a bird sees the net spread before it and avoids it, so the wise recognize danger and escape. Greed ultimately devours its own pursuers. This passage teaches that evil companions may promise excitement and gain, but they lead to spiritual and physical death.

Verses 20–31: Wisdom's Rejected Call

Personified Wisdom cries out publicly to the simple, scorners, and fools, calling them to turn and receive her counsel (v. 20–23). Yet when they refuse her reproof, Wisdom announces that she will mock their calamity when judgment comes (v. 26–28). Those who reject God's wisdom will ultimately reap the fruit of their own way (v. 31). This is the law of sowing and reaping: choices have consequences.

Verse 32–33: Two Destinies

The chapter closes with stark contrast: the turning away of fools brings self-destruction, while those who heed Wisdom dwell safely, free from fear.

Application for Today

Proverbs 1 calls modern believers to submit to God's authority, to receive instruction humbly from Scripture and godly counsel, and to recognize that the path of the fool—marked by pride, greed, and rejection of God's voice—leads to ruin. Choose wisdom. Listen to God's Word. Honor those who teach you truth. And remember: safety and peace are found not in worldly pursuits, but in reverent obedience to the LORD.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note