Proverbs 17:10 kjv

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Proverbs 17:10 nkjv

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Proverbs 17:10 niv

A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Proverbs 17:10 esv

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

Proverbs 17:10 nlt

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

Proverbs 17 verses

Proverbs 17 10 Meaning

A wise and discerning person receives verbal correction (rebuke) so deeply that it has a profound and transformative impact on their understanding and behavior, far exceeding the effect that even extreme physical punishment might have on a fool who remains unaffected and resistant to change.

Proverbs 17 10 Context

Proverbs 17 belongs to the collection of Solomon's proverbs (chapters 10-22), offering concise and memorable moral and ethical instructions. The chapter often presents sharp antitheses between the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish, to illuminate principles for discerning behavior and character. Proverbs 17:10 highlights the fundamental difference in receptivity to correction based on one's inherent disposition. It underscores a core theme of wisdom literature: the disposition of the heart—whether open to instruction or closed in stubbornness—determines the efficacy of any corrective measure, be it verbal admonition or physical consequence. Historically, wisdom literature provided practical guidance for daily life rooted in a worldview shaped by covenant and God's order, distinguishing those who fear the Lord from those who do not.

Proverbs 17 10 Word analysis

• A rebuke (גְעָרָה, gĕʿārâ): This term refers to verbal correction, admonition, or reproof. It is not necessarily harsh, but it challenges wrong thinking or behavior. Its power lies not in its volume but in the truth it conveys and the listener's receptivity.
• enters deeper (תֵּחַת, teḥat): From the verb yaḥat, meaning "to go down," "sink," or "penetrate." This strong imagery conveys that the verbal correction profoundly impacts and becomes ingrained within the wise person, affecting their core being and leading to introspection and transformation.
• into a wise man (בְּמֵבִין, bi-mēḇîn): Translates as "into one who understands" or "discerning person." This individual possesses wisdom not merely as knowledge but as an active capacity to discern truth, grasp implications, and is marked by a humble, teachable spirit, eager to align with truth.
• than a hundred blows (מֵהַכּוֹת...מֵאָה, mēhakōwt...mêʾāh): "Blows" (from nakah, to strike) refers to physical punishment. "A hundred" is a hyperbolic expression, signifying an extreme and severe quantity or intensity. It illustrates the utmost degree of external force or suffering.
• into a fool (בְּכְסִיל, bi-ḵə·sîl): Refers to kĕsîl, a distinct type of fool in Proverbs, characterized by moral insensitivity, self-assurance, stubbornness, and imperviousness to instruction and rational thought. This fool is actively resistant to learning from their mistakes or from others.

(words-group by words-group analysis)

• "A rebuke enters deeper into a wise man": This phrase highlights the profound, internal impact of spoken correction on an individual whose heart is disposed to understanding and learning. For such a person, the words of reproof are absorbed not superficially but deeply, prompting genuine reflection and leading to inward change and improved behavior. It underscores that wisdom involves a teachable spirit.
• "than a hundred blows into a fool": This powerfully contrasting segment emphasizes the complete imperviousness of the fool to any form of external consequence, even the most severe physical punishment. The phrase illustrates that external coercion, no matter how extreme, fails to penetrate or transform the hardened, defiant, and unreceptive heart of a kĕsîl, who fundamentally lacks the capacity or desire for true understanding or change.

Proverbs 17 10 Bonus section

This proverb subtly communicates a spiritual truth often seen in the Scriptures: God's discipline, when applied, is transformative for those who are truly His, as they possess the "wise heart" to receive it (Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19). Conversely, those who continually harden their hearts, akin to the kĕsîl, are ultimately left to their own destructive path, demonstrating a complete rejection of wisdom, divine and human. The verse teaches prudence in giving correction, suggesting that wisdom dictates discerning whether the recipient is truly receptive. It underscores that lasting behavioral change and spiritual growth are internal processes, reliant on a teachable spirit, rather than purely external measures.

Proverbs 17 10 Commentary

Proverbs 17:10 masterfully distinguishes between two fundamentally different types of individuals in their response to correction. It asserts that for the "wise man" (the discerning and understanding person), even a gentle "rebuke" holds profound power. This is because the wise person is humble, values truth, and uses correction as an opportunity for introspection and growth. The rebuke "enters deeper," indicating a psychological and spiritual penetration that leads to genuine transformation, far beyond mere outward compliance. Conversely, for the "fool" (kĕsîl), no amount of external consequence, however severe or frequent ("a hundred blows" being hyperbole), can elicit true change. The fool's stubborn, unyielding heart is hardened against instruction, incapable of internalizing lessons or altering behavior based on reason or pain. The verse thus offers a critical insight into the futility of attempts to correct those unwilling to learn, while celebrating the immense value of teachability. It implies that the true effectiveness of correction lies in the heart of the recipient, not solely in the nature or intensity of the correction itself.

• Examples:
  • A student who readily accepts feedback on an assignment and uses it to improve their next project, versus one who receives failing grades repeatedly but blames the teacher and never changes study habits.
  • A spouse who humbly considers and responds to constructive criticism, strengthening the relationship, versus a spouse who remains unchanged despite repeated arguments or even severe relationship breakdowns.
  • A congregant who, upon hearing a sermon challenging a specific sin, repents and adjusts their life, as opposed to someone who hears repeated warnings yet remains defiantly unchanged.