Proverbs 10:8 kjv

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 10:8 nkjv

The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

Proverbs 10:8 niv

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Proverbs 10:8 esv

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

Proverbs 10:8 nlt

The wise are glad to be instructed,
but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 8 Meaning

Proverbs 10:8 asserts that individuals whose hearts are truly wise readily embrace and live by instruction, while those characterized by foolish, uncontrolled speech inevitably encounter downfall and destruction. It underscores the profound link between one's internal disposition toward wisdom and the resulting external consequences in life, contrasting humble receptivity with destructive self-reliance.

Proverbs 10 8 Context

Proverbs 10:8 marks the beginning of a large section of Solomon’s proverbs (10:1-22:16) characterized predominantly by antithetical parallelism, where the two lines present contrasting ideas. This structure vividly highlights the distinctions between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, and their resultant life paths. The chapter frequently juxtaposes the characteristics and fates of the wise/righteous with those of the foolish/wicked. Historically and culturally, these proverbs served as fundamental instruction for young men entering adulthood, conveying practical life wisdom rooted in the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7). The father-to-son instructional motif common in Proverbs stresses the importance of receiving and heeding counsel, linking personal well-being to alignment with divine wisdom and its principles. The verse indirectly opposes any contemporary beliefs that might value mere cleverness or self-aggrandizement over humble obedience to established moral and divine precepts.

Proverbs 10 8 Word analysis

• חֲכַם־לֵב (Chakham-lev) - "wise in heart":

  • Chakham (חֲכַם) denotes not just intellectual acuity but practical, lived wisdom. It implies skill in navigating life's complexities and discernment. Often linked to a God-given ability to act wisely (Exo 31:3).
  • Lev (לֵ֭ב), "heart," in Hebrew thought, is the seat of the whole inner person – intellect, will, emotions, and moral core. "Wise in heart" signifies that wisdom is deeply ingrained, affecting one's thoughts, desires, decisions, and overall character, leading to a readiness for proper action.

• יִקַּח (yiqqach) - "will receive / accept / take":

  • An active verb indicating a deliberate, willing intake. It is more than passive hearing; it implies appropriation, internalization, and acting upon the commands. It points to a humble, teachable spirit.

• מִצְוֺ֗ת (mitzvot) - "commands / precepts / instructions":

  • Refers to divine ordinances or general wise counsel derived from authoritative teaching (often from parents or wise teachers, ultimately reflecting divine wisdom). It includes moral directives, principles for living, and guidance. To receive these mitzvot is to submit to the structure and order of wisdom.

• וֶאֱוִיל שְׂפָתַ֫יִם (we'ewil sephatayim) - "but a babbling fool / fool of lips":

  • We' (וֶ): Connects the two contrasting phrases, emphasizing the stark difference.
  • 'Ewil (אֱוִיל): Designates a particular kind of fool in Proverbs. This fool is not simply unintelligent but morally perverse, obstinate, and disdainful of wisdom and correction. Their folly is deep-seated and resistant to change (Prov 1:7, 15:5).
  • Sephatayim (שְׂפָתַ֫יִם): "Lips." Highlights how the fool's inner foolishness manifests primarily through their speech. "Babbling" implies unrestrained, senseless, deceptive, or empty words. This kind of speech reveals a mind lacking understanding, often filled with pride and scorn, and it serves as the instrument of their own downfall.

• יִלָּכֵֽד (yillached) - "will come to ruin / be caught / ensnared / trapped":

  • A passive form of lakad, meaning to capture or seize. It vividly pictures the fool being entangled and caught, often by their own folly and speech (Prov 12:13, 18:7). The ruin is depicted as an inevitable consequence, a self-inflicted trap, rather than an arbitrary punishment. It suggests destruction, trouble, or demise resulting from their unwise path.

• "The wise in heart will receive commands":

  • Emphasizes the internal source of wisdom, stemming from one's core being ("heart"). This internal wisdom manifests in humble openness to external guidance and divine instruction. Such individuals are teachable, receptive, and willing to adapt their lives to truth. This readiness ensures they benefit from wisdom.

• "but a babbling fool will come to ruin":

  • Highlights the vocal manifestation of the fool's character ("babbling fool," "fool of lips"). Their destructive words and refusal to heed counsel become the very means by which they are entrapped and experience collapse. It points to a direct cause-and-effect: uncontrolled and unwise speech is a hallmark of inner foolishness that inevitably leads to one's own demise.

Proverbs 10 8 Bonus section

The Hebrew term chakham-lev ("wise in heart") emphasizes that wisdom in the biblical sense is profoundly practical and relational, not purely academic. It is the ability to navigate life skillfully according to God's established order. The "heart" as the center of moral and volitional life implies that wisdom involves making correct choices, not just knowing correct information. The folly of the ewil sephatayim is compounded by their lack of "listening skills." They are quick to speak (babble) but slow to hear, demonstrating an imperviousness to instruction and a pride that resists correction, ultimately isolating them from true wisdom and exposing them to the natural consequences of their own poor judgment. The idea of being "caught" or "ensnared" (יִלָּכֵֽד) speaks to the inescapable, self-defeating nature of the fool's chosen path, where their own actions become the very instruments of their undoing. This verse serves as a fundamental principle within wisdom literature: humility and obedience to truth lead to life, while proud defiance leads to destruction.

Proverbs 10 8 Commentary

Proverbs 10:8 offers a sharp, foundational contrast concerning character and consequence. It illustrates that true wisdom resides not merely in intellectual capacity, but in the heart's disposition—a readiness to welcome, embrace, and internalize authoritative commands and life-giving instruction. This receptivity to divine and godly counsel marks the wise individual, leading them toward a path of security and flourishing. Conversely, the "babbling fool" is identified by a particular characteristic: their unrestrained, foolish, and often self-serving speech. This vocal display is not just a habit, but a revealing symptom of an inner rebellion against wisdom and an unwillingness to be taught. Consequently, their words become a snare, a trap, bringing about their own ruin or destruction. The verse underscores that alignment with wisdom involves humble listening and obedience, whereas obstinate, talkative folly leads directly to self-inflicted downfall.

Practical applications might include:

• Cultivating a receptive spirit towards God's Word and wise counsel, actively seeking understanding.
• Guarding one's tongue, recognizing that uncontrolled or careless words can reveal deep-seated folly and lead to adverse outcomes.
• Understanding that genuine transformation begins internally in the heart, leading to outward expressions of wisdom or folly.