Proverbs 13:1 kjv

A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 13:1 nkjv

A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 13:1 niv

A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

Proverbs 13:1 esv

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 13:1 nlt

A wise child accepts a parent's discipline;
a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

Proverbs 13 verses

MeaningProverbs 13:1 articulates a fundamental contrast between two character types: the receptive, discerning individual who values parental guidance, and the defiant, arrogant person who scorns correction. A wise son demonstrates wisdom by willingly accepting the instruction and discipline offered by his father, recognizing its inherent value for shaping his character and guiding his life. Conversely, a mocker, characterized by pride and scorn, openly rejects any form of rebuke, displaying a deep-seated resistance to wisdom, correction, and authority. This verse underscores the foundational role of humble teachability in the path of wisdom versus the self-destructive nature of insolence.

Cross References

ContextProverbs 13 opens by presenting two contrasting paths, typical of wisdom literature: the path of the wise versus the path of the wicked/foolish. Chapter 13 specifically emphasizes the theme of prudence, integrity, diligent effort, and careful speech. This inaugural verse sets the tone by immediately focusing on the response to authority and correction as a defining characteristic. Within the broader context of Proverbs, the "father's instruction" often stands as a microcosm of divine wisdom and God's law. Therefore, acceptance or rejection of parental instruction symbolizes acceptance or rejection of God's wisdom, illustrating one's posture toward divine authority. Historically and culturally, the family unit, particularly the father's role in educating his sons, was foundational to transmitting ethical and moral principles in ancient Israel. The book of Proverbs captures this patriarchal pedagogical framework, where the home was the primary school of character.

Word analysis

• A wise son:
  • Wise (Hebrew: chakham - חכם): Signifies possessing practical discernment, understanding, and skill for living righteously according to divine principles. This is not mere intellectual acumen but lived wisdom.
  • Son (Hebrew: ben - בן): Refers primarily to male offspring, but in wisdom literature, "son" is often a collective address for anyone receptive to instruction, embodying the concept of spiritual or intellectual heir to wisdom.
• Heeds his father's instruction,
  • Heeds (Hebrew: shama' - שמע): Means to hear, listen, or obey. It implies not just perceiving sound, but actively attending, understanding, and complying with what is heard. It denotes a willing and receptive heart.
  • His father's: Indicates a direct, personal, and authoritative relationship. The father is the source of this vital wisdom in the domestic sphere.
  • Instruction (Hebrew: musar - מוסר): Encompasses discipline, correction, moral training, admonition, and teaching. It aims to mold character, often involving firm guidance, which might include rebuke or consequences.
• But a mocker
  • But: A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting the stark contrast.
  • A mocker (Hebrew: lets - לֵץ): This is a distinct character type in Proverbs, worse than a mere fool. A mocker is contemptuous, cynical, and derisive towards wisdom, authority, and even God. They scoff at correction and disdain moral boundaries. They are irreformable through ordinary means.
• Does not listen to rebuke.
  • Does not listen: The direct antithesis of "heeds." It implies active refusal, stubbornness, and insolence, not just passive inattention.
  • Rebuke (Hebrew: ge'ara - גערה): A strong reprimand, a scolding, a severe reproof. It's direct verbal correction given for a fault or error, designed to set someone straight. For the mocker, even direct and strong correction is met with scorn, showing their entrenched pride.

Word-groups/phrases analysis

• "A wise son heeds his father's instruction": This phrase captures the essence of wisdom: receptivity to formative guidance. The wise individual understands the value of instruction and disciplines themselves to submit to it, whether it's parental, divine, or life lessons. This proactive acceptance contrasts sharply with merely hearing but not acting.
• "But a mocker does not listen to rebuke": This contrasting phrase defines the fool who is beyond teachability. The mocker's heart is hardened by pride; rebuke, intended to correct and restore, only reinforces their scorn and contempt for wisdom or authority. They not only refuse to listen but also actively despise those who attempt to correct them, illustrating an unwillingness to grow or change.

CommentaryProverbs 13:1 lays bare a foundational principle of wisdom: one's response to guidance and correction reveals the very core of their character. A genuinely wise individual is identifiable not merely by knowledge, but by humility and teachability, actively embracing formative instruction. This "father's instruction" is often intertwined with God's law and wisdom in Proverbs, implying that rejecting parental guidance parallels a rejection of divine wisdom. The mocker, in stark contrast, represents an extreme form of foolishness characterized by an entrenched, defiant pride that actively scorns any form of reproof. Such an individual considers himself above correction, sealed off from true wisdom, and bound for ruin. The verse, therefore, highlights the critical choice between humble receptivity that leads to life and arrogant resistance that leads to destruction, establishing the receptive heart as a prerequisite for walking in God's wisdom.

• Practical usage:
  • When offered advice, choose to thoughtfully consider it, rather than dismissing it immediately.
  • If you make a mistake and are corrected, receive the feedback with humility, seeking to learn and grow, instead of becoming defensive.
  • Parents are reminded of their ongoing duty to instruct and discipline, fostering an environment where wisdom can flourish.

Bonus sectionThe antithetical parallelism in Proverbs 13:1 is direct and sharp, drawing a clear distinction between the outcome of two character responses. The positive affirmation of the "wise son" is set against the negative characterization of the "mocker," illustrating that life's trajectory is often determined by how one responds to wisdom and correction. This verse serves as a crucial gatekeeper concept within the Book of Proverbs, establishing the baseline attitude required for acquiring wisdom. Without the humility to "heed instruction" and "listen to rebuke," all subsequent wise sayings are futile, as they fall on unreceptive ears. The "father" figure in Proverbs is not just a biological parent, but also represents any source of legitimate, God-ordained authority from whom wisdom can be learned. This includes elders, teachers, and ultimately, God Himself, the ultimate Father and source of all instruction. The "mocker" character specifically highlights that some individuals choose a path so deeply steeped in pride that correction becomes a source of entertainment for them, rather than an opportunity for growth, a grim warning about hardening one's heart against truth.