Proverbs 15:10 kjv

Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Proverbs 15:10 nkjv

Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:10 niv

Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:10 esv

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.

Proverbs 15:10 nlt

Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined;
whoever hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15 verses

Proverbs 15 10 Meaning

Proverbs 15:10 delivers a severe warning: those who deliberately turn away from the path of wisdom and righteousness will face grave consequences. It teaches that corrective training or painful experiences await anyone who abandons God's intended moral course. Furthermore, the verse states unequivocally that an individual who despises or actively rejects wise counsel and necessary correction is set on a trajectory leading to ruin or spiritual demise, which is often termed as "death" in the wisdom literature.

Proverbs 15 10 Context

Proverbs chapter 15, much like other chapters in the book, consists of a series of short, independent antithetical proverbs. These maxims are primarily focused on contrasting the wisdom of the righteous with the folly of the wicked, particularly regarding their speech, actions, attitudes, and ultimate destinies. Verses often present clear dichotomies, highlighting the benefits of pursuing wisdom and righteousness versus the dire consequences of embracing foolishness and sin. Within this broader context, verse 10 functions as a specific warning against neglecting or outright rejecting the discipline and instruction that are vital for navigating the path of life. Historically and culturally, ancient Israel placed high value on oral tradition, parental instruction, and community wisdom. The "way" (Hebrew: derek or orach) was a deeply ingrained metaphor for one's life conduct, moral path, and destiny. Therefore, to "forsake the way" was not just a minor error but a significant deviation from societal norms, divine law, and the wisdom tradition, often seen as a rebellion against both human and divine authority. Reproof or correction (tokhaḥat) was viewed not as an insult, but as a loving act meant to guide and protect.

Proverbs 15 10 Word analysis

• Harsh (רָע - ra'): More accurately rendered as "grievous," "severe," or "unpleasant." It describes the nature of the discipline, implying that it is not gentle or easily borne, but is precisely fitting for the obstinacy of one who has chosen a destructive path.
• Discipline (מוּסָר - mûsār): This significant Hebrew term encompasses instruction, correction, moral education, and training. It implies not just punitive measures but guidance aimed at improvement and shaping character, often through experiential lessons, which can be difficult or painful. It is ultimately for one's good.
• is for him who forsakes (לְעֹזֵב - le'ōzēv): Indicates a deliberate act of abandoning or turning away from. This is a choice, an intentional departure from what is known to be right. It implies culpability and responsibility for one's deviation.
• the way (אֹרַח - ōraḥ): Metaphorically represents the course of life, one's moral conduct, or the path of righteousness and wisdom prescribed by God. In Proverbs, it stands in stark contrast to the way of folly or the way of death.
• and he who hates (וְשֹׂנֵא - wəśōně'): Signifies an active aversion, a strong, settled dislike or hostility towards something. It's more than indifference; it's an antagonistic disposition.
• reproof (תּוֹכֵחַת - tôḵaḥaṯ): This word refers to correction, rebuke, admonition, or argument intended to expose error and bring about change. It is wisdom's essential tool for guiding and course-correcting the individual.
• will die (יָמוּת - yāmût): In wisdom literature, "death" is often multifaceted. It can mean spiritual death (separation from true life, futility, meaninglessness), societal ruin, or even premature physical death resulting from one's destructive choices. It is the ultimate negative consequence, contrasting with "life" which signifies flourishing, blessing, and intimacy with God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way": This clause establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The severity of the experience is directly proportional to the stubborn choice of abandoning the right moral and spiritual path. It implies that consequences are inherent to actions, and deviation from divine principles will naturally lead to difficulty and pain.
• "and he who hates reproof will die": This phrase amplifies the warning by identifying a key reason for "forsaking the way": the active hatred of corrective guidance. Those who refuse to receive instruction are ultimately sealed off from the source of life and will experience ruin. The "death" here emphasizes the complete cessation of what is good and lifegiving. The two clauses together highlight the internal disposition (hating reproof) that leads to the outward action (forsaking the way), which in turn results in severe consequences ("harsh discipline" and "death").

Proverbs 15 10 Bonus section

The structure of Proverbs 15:10 uses an interesting parallel. While "harsh discipline" and "death" are both negative outcomes, they connect deeply. The "harsh discipline" can be understood as the process or the initial experience of suffering consequences, which, if unheeded, escalates to "death"—the final, terminal outcome of consistently rejecting reproof. Thus, the second clause elucidates the depth of the first, portraying that a persistent rejection of God's leading, often revealed through "reproof," is ultimately suicidal in the spiritual sense. The emphasis on "hates reproof" rather than just "ignores reproof" suggests a strong, rebellious stance that forecloses any possibility of correction, making the "death" a self-inflicted destiny.

Proverbs 15 10 Commentary

Proverbs 15:10 offers a foundational truth regarding the vital role of discipline and correction in life. It presents two intertwined principles: first, that abandoning the morally upright and divinely prescribed "way" inevitably brings severe discipline, not as arbitrary punishment but as the natural, often painful, consequence of departing from wisdom. This discipline serves as a strong deterrent or a necessary corrective shock to re-align. Second, it profoundly warns that those who actively despise and reject constructive criticism, or "reproof," are effectively choosing a path that leads to spiritual, and potentially physical or relational, demise. To hate reproof reveals a hardened heart unwilling to learn or change, sealing one's fate for "death"—a state of ruin, barrenness, and separation from true flourishing. The verse underscores that humility to accept guidance is paramount for a life lived according to God's design.

Examples:

• A student who continually skips classes and ignores a teacher's warnings will likely fail, experiencing the "harsh discipline" of poor grades or academic suspension.
• Someone who frequently offers unsolicited and negative advice to others while refusing to listen to any criticism about themselves is likely to face strained relationships, loneliness, and lack of growth, a form of relational "death."