Proverbs 14:1 kjv

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1 nkjv

The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1 niv

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 14:1 esv

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

Proverbs 14:1 nlt

A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 1 Meaning

Proverbs 14:1 illuminates the transformative power of a woman's character within her home. A wise woman, guided by sound judgment and diligence, actively builds and strengthens her household in every aspect—from its physical state to its relational and spiritual health. Conversely, a foolish woman, marked by her lack of wisdom and reckless choices, directly undermines and eventually dismantles her own family and domestic well-being through her actions.

Proverbs 14 1 Context

Proverbs, as a book of wisdom literature, provides practical guidance for navigating life in a way that aligns with God's design and leads to flourishing. Chapter 14 continues the thematic comparison between wisdom and folly, virtue and vice, and their respective consequences. This particular verse addresses the crucial role of a woman in shaping the environment and future of her household. In ancient Israelite society, the "house" (Hebrew: bayit) was not merely a physical dwelling but encompassed the entire family unit, its lineage, legacy, financial well-being, and social standing. The home was the fundamental unit of society, where character was forged and values transmitted. Thus, the actions of the "woman of the house" had profound, lasting implications, extending beyond just immediate domestic affairs to impact future generations and the wider community.

Proverbs 14 1 Word analysis

• Every wise woman: Refers to chakmah ishshah (חכמה אשה).
  • chakmah (חכמה): More than just intellectual intelligence. It denotes practical skill, discernment, moral insight, and godly judgment. This wisdom is rooted in the "fear of the Lord" (Prov 1:7) and is active, applied knowledge that produces positive outcomes in daily life.
  • ishshah (אשה): Means "woman" and often, in context, "wife" or "housewife," highlighting her central role in the domestic sphere.
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes a universal principle, not a limited scenario. It applies to any woman who possesses and acts on true wisdom, particularly in her sphere of influence.
• builds: banah (בנה).
  • Meaning: To construct, erect, establish, make firm, promote.
  • Significance: This is an active, ongoing process. It implies intentional effort, planning, organization, nurturing, and making decisions that bring stability, order, growth, and prosperity to the household. It speaks of positive contribution and strengthening.
• her house: beitah (ביתה).
  • Meaning: Her dwelling, home, family, lineage, descendants, and the overall household economy and reputation. It's a comprehensive term for the entire domestic unit and its well-being.
  • Significance: The "house" is a rich biblical metaphor. It's not just bricks and mortar but a living entity that thrives or perishes based on internal management. A strong "house" implies financial stability, emotional security, a healthy environment for raising children, and a good name in the community.
• but the foolish one: Refers to v'ivvelet (ואולת).
  • Meaning: The term "foolish" (ivvelet from evil or related terms) indicates a character that is morally defective, lacking discernment, often arrogant, impulsive, and disobedient to divine wisdom. This is not mere ignorance but a wilful rejection of what is right.
  • Significance: Directly contrasts with "wise." The foolish person is self-centered and operates without understanding God's ways or long-term consequences, leading to detrimental actions.
• tears it down: haras (הָרַס).
  • Meaning: To pull down, demolish, ruin, destroy, break down, throw down.
  • Significance: This is also an active, destructive process. It indicates deliberate or negligent actions (e.g., quarrels, gossip, laziness, impulsiveness, immoral conduct, financial mismanagement) that lead to the collapse, disunity, disrepute, or complete ruin of the household.
• with her own hands: b'yadeyha (בידיה).
  • Meaning: By her own doing; by her personal actions and efforts.
  • Significance: Emphasizes direct responsibility and self-inflicted harm. The ruin is not external; it stems directly from her choices, character, and behavior. It highlights the autonomy and powerful impact of an individual's will.

Words-Group analysis

• "builds her house" vs. "tears it down": This forms a powerful antithetical parallelism. The two phrases directly oppose each other, showcasing the binary outcomes of wisdom and folly. One is constructive and life-giving; the other is destructive and brings ruin. This contrast underscores the radical difference in impact that wise versus foolish living has.
• "Every wise woman... but the foolish one... with her own hands": This pairing highlights the personal agency and the direct link between character (wise/foolish) and consequence (building/tearing down). It reveals that the destiny of the household is largely shaped by the intrinsic qualities and choices of the individual.

Proverbs 14 1 Bonus section

The principle articulated in Proverbs 14:1 transcends the specific context of a woman or a literal "house." It speaks to the universal truth that wisdom (rooted in reverence for God and applied knowledge) is inherently constructive and fosters flourishing, while folly (the rejection of God's ways and a path of self-serving choices) is intrinsically destructive and leads to ruin. This applies to:

• Individuals: A person who lives wisely builds their own life, health, and spiritual standing, while a foolish person dismantles their well-being.
• Leaders: A wise leader builds up their organization, community, or nation; a foolish leader brings it to ruin.
• The Church: As the "household of God," the collective body of believers is either built up by wise, Christ-centered actions or torn down by disunity, false teaching, and carnal living.

The proverb also implicitly highlights the immense influence within one's sphere, underscoring the spiritual battle between constructive and destructive forces. It calls for intentional, God-honoring living as the foundation for true prosperity in all areas of life.

Proverbs 14 1 Commentary

Proverbs 14:1 is a pithy yet profound declaration on the inherent power of individual character, particularly within the domestic sphere. It sets forth a clear binary: wisdom builds, folly destroys. A truly "wise woman" (or indeed, any individual embodying practical wisdom) demonstrates foresight, diligence, and godly judgment. Her actions are characterized by nurture, order, prudent management, and the cultivation of healthy relationships and a godly atmosphere within her "house." This building isn't just about financial stability or physical upkeep, but crucially encompasses the spiritual and relational well-being of the family—the shaping of character in children, the fostering of love and unity, and upholding the family's reputation.

Conversely, the "foolish one" operates from a place of spiritual and practical bankruptcy. Her choices are shortsighted, impulsive, selfish, or outright sinful. Whether through neglecting responsibilities, engaging in gossip, causing strife, squandering resources, or making poor moral decisions, her actions actively demolish the very foundations of her home. The phrase "with her own hands" emphasizes the direct, self-inflicted nature of this destruction. The ruin of her household is not imposed by external forces but is the inevitable consequence of her own unwise conduct. This proverb serves as a vital reminder that our daily choices and underlying character have immense, far-reaching consequences on our immediate environments and those we are called to cherish and lead.

Examples:

• A wife who intentionally nurtures respectful communication, manages resources wisely, and teaches her children godly values is "building her house."
• A person who consistently gossips about family members, encourages conflict, or lives recklessly, effectively "tears down" their familial peace and reputation.
• A parent who invests time in discipleship and discipline creates a firm foundation, while one who is neglectful or indulgent contributes to the family's spiritual and moral decay.