Proverbs 21:11 kjv

When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

Proverbs 21:11 nkjv

When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Proverbs 21:11 niv

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

Proverbs 21:11 esv

When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

Proverbs 21:11 nlt

If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 11 Meaning

Proverbs 21:11 illuminates two distinct ways in which wisdom and knowledge are acquired. Firstly, when a scoffer, characterized by their rebellious and defiant attitude towards truth and discipline, faces punishment, the naive or "simple" person observes this consequence and thereby gains understanding and discretion, learning to avoid similar folly. Secondly, a person who is already wise is not content with their current understanding but remains receptive to further instruction, actively seeking and acquiring deeper knowledge and discernment. The verse presents a contrast in the learners and their methods of gaining spiritual and practical wisdom: one learns through observation of another's negative consequences, while the other learns through direct and active reception of teaching.

Proverbs 21 11 Context

Proverbs chapter 21 is a collection of distinct proverbs, often presenting contrasts or highlighting consequences, reflecting on the practical application of divine wisdom in daily life. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the importance of righteousness and justice, and the divergent paths and outcomes for the righteous versus the wicked. Within this moral landscape, Proverbs 21:11 stands as a proverb teaching about how different types of individuals acquire wisdom and knowledge. The societal context in ancient Israel included public justice, where punishment served not only as retribution but also as a public example and deterrent, fostering learning and prudence within the community, especially for those who might be easily led astray (the "simple"). It also upholds the value placed on instruction and ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth for those already on the path of wisdom.

Proverbs 21 11 Word analysis

• When the scoffer (בַּעֲנָשׁ־לֵץ - ba-ʿǎnōš-lēṣ):

  • scoffer (לֵץ - lēṣ): Refers to a person characterized by arrogant contempt for moral authority, correction, and divine truth. This individual often mocks wisdom, righteousness, and the fear of the Lord. They are typically seen as beyond reach through mere instruction because of their hardened hearts and proud spirits.
  • is punished (from the root ענש - ʿanaš): Implies a consequence or disciplinary action. For the scoffer, punishment is not reformative (as they resist change) but retributive, and significantly, it serves as a public demonstration of the inevitable outcome of their rebellion.

• the simple (פֶּתִי - peṯī):

  • simple (פֶּתִי - peṯī): Describes one who is naive, gullible, easily persuaded, and lacks discernment due to inexperience or a lack of understanding. They are not necessarily inherently wicked, but rather unformed or open-minded, susceptible to both good and bad influences.

• gains wisdom (יֶחְכַּם - yeḥkām):

  • gains wisdom (יֶחְכַּם - yeḥkām, from the root חכם - ḥākām - to be wise): Indicates the acquisition of practical discernment and skill in living righteously. For the simple, this is often gained indirectly, through observing the consequences meted out to others, especially the downfall of those whose ways they might have otherwise considered following.

• when the wise (וּבְהַחְכִּים לְחָכָם - ūvəhaḥkîm ləḥāḵām):

  • the wise (חָכָם - ḥākām): Refers to someone who has already begun to acquire wisdom, characterized by discernment, prudence, and often, the fear of the Lord. They are distinct from the simple and the scoffer.
  • is instructed (from the Hiphil form of חכם - ḥākām, meaning "to make wise" or "to instruct"): Emphasizes the proactive reception of teaching. The wise person is teachable and actively engages with and accepts further guidance and insight.

• he receives knowledge (יִקַּח־דָּעַת - yiqqāḥ-dāʿaṯ):

  • receives (יִקַּח - yiqqāḥ, from the root לקח - laqaḥ - to take, to receive): Implies an active grasping or welcoming of information.
  • knowledge (דָּעַת - dāʿaṯ, from the root ידע - yādaʿ - to know): Denotes deeper understanding, comprehension, and practical application of truth. For the wise, instruction doesn't merely inform; it deepens and expands their existing knowledge base.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • Contrasting Learners and Methods: The proverb establishes a clear contrast between the 'simple' and the 'wise' concerning their respective pathways to learning. The simple learn passively through observation of external consequences, a stark example. The wise learn actively through internalizing direct instruction.
  • The Role of Punishment and Instruction: Punishment for the scoffer is portrayed as a didactic tool for the community, particularly the impressionable. Instruction, on the other hand, is a continuous process for those already on the path of wisdom, who are always eager to deepen their understanding.
  • Spiritual States: The 'scoffer' represents hardened defiance. The 'simple' represent susceptibility and openness. The 'wise' represent discernment and a continual hunger for truth, rooted in teachability and often a foundational fear of the Lord. This reflects a spectrum of spiritual receptivity.

Proverbs 21 11 Bonus section

This proverb subtly highlights the educative function of justice in the biblical worldview. Public discipline for wickedness was not solely about retribution for the offender but equally about providing a cautionary tale for the wider community (cf. Deut 13:10-11). The very term "simple" (peṯī) often implies an openness, a potential for growth, contrasting sharply with the "fool" (kĕsîl) who is stubbornly unteachable or the "scoffer" who is actively hostile to wisdom. The "wise" (ḥākām) already possessing ḥokmāh (wisdom), actively seeks da‘at (knowledge/understanding), illustrating that spiritual growth is not static but an ongoing pursuit. This pursuit reflects a teachable spirit, a foundational quality of genuine godliness, contrasting with the scoffer's resistance which isolates them from truth and leads to their downfall.

Proverbs 21 11 Commentary

Proverbs 21:11 encapsulates profound truths about learning, justice, and human character. It illustrates that God's ways provide distinct opportunities for spiritual and moral growth tailored to differing levels of human receptivity. For the stubbornly defiant scoffer, punitive justice serves a dual purpose: it validates the righteousness of God's order and offers a stark, visible lesson for the less discerning, such as the simple. The public consequence of sin is a vivid warning, often more impactful for the impressionable than mere words. Meanwhile, the one who is genuinely wise and committed to the fear of the Lord exhibits humility and a perpetual appetite for truth. They do not rest on past achievements but continually embrace new instruction, deepening their comprehension and spiritual insight. The verse reminds believers to be receptive learners, to heed not only explicit teaching but also the silent lessons of consequences witnessed in the world around them, ultimately progressing in their walk with God.