Proverbs 22:10 kjv

Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Proverbs 22:10 nkjv

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

Proverbs 22:10 niv

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

Proverbs 22:10 esv

Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

Proverbs 22:10 nlt

Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Proverbs 22 verses

Proverbs 22 10 Meaning

To foster peace and order within a community or household, it is essential to actively remove the individual who consistently mocks, disdains wisdom, and incites conflict. When such a troublemaker, the scoffer, is expelled, then disputes and dishonor, which they often instigate, will naturally cease, leading to a more harmonious environment.

Proverbs 22 10 Context

Proverbs 22:10 is embedded within a collection of "Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:34), though the preceding verses also contain general proverbs regarding social conduct and character. Chapters 22 and 23 often highlight the characteristics of different individuals (the wise, the fool, the lazy, the rich, the poor) and the consequences of their choices for themselves and their community. Specifically, this verse comes after sayings about good reputation, treating the poor, and raising children. It directly addresses the proactive management of difficult personalities within any organized setting. Historically, the wisdom tradition in ancient Israel placed high value on community harmony and the preservation of order, understanding that peace (Shalom) was vital for societal flourishing and the manifestation of God's blessing. Scoffers, therefore, posed a direct threat to the very fabric of society the Proverbs sought to build and protect.

Proverbs 22 10 Word analysis

• Drive out (גָּרֵשׁ - garesh): This Hebrew word signifies a forceful expulsion or divorce. It is a strong, active verb, implying a decisive and often irreversible removal. It indicates that merely enduring or reasoning with the scoffer is insufficient; their continued presence fundamentally obstructs peace.

• The scoffer (לֵץ - lets): This term refers to an arrogant, insolent person who habitually mocks wisdom, instruction, God, or moral truth. Unlike a simple fool who might act ignorantly, the scoffer knowingly and defiantly ridicules what is right and wise, and delights in contention. Their primary characteristic is an unwillingness to be corrected and a desire to disrupt.

• And strife (מָדוֹן - madon): This denotes contention, discord, quarrels, or disputes. It represents the negative, often heated and destructive, atmosphere created by persistent disagreement and conflict.

• Will go out (יֵצֵא - yetse'): This word conveys a sense of departure or cessation. The promise is that strife, as a direct consequence of the scoffer's removal, will naturally dissipate.

• Quarrels (דִּין - din): In this context, it often refers to heated debates, lawsuits, or disputes, suggesting severe contention beyond simple disagreement. It implies the contentious and disruptive exchanges characteristic of a scoffer's environment.

• And insults (קָלוֹן - qalon): This refers to shame, disgrace, or public dishonor, often stemming from verbal abuse or mocking behavior. The scoffer frequently employs insults as a weapon, leading to humiliation and disunity.

• Will cease: The effect of the action taken. This emphasizes the end result – a state of peace and harmony achieved through decisive action.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "Drive out the scoffer": This phrase highlights the necessary, direct, and sometimes difficult action required. It is an imperative, calling for active intervention against a persistent source of discord. It emphasizes that problems do not always resolve themselves and some individuals actively prevent peace.
  • "And strife will go out": This presents the immediate and inevitable consequence of the first action. The verse establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship, where removing the cause directly leads to the elimination of the effect.
  • "Quarrels and insults will cease": This further elaborates on the positive outcome. The peace is comprehensive, involving not just general strife but also the cessation of specific manifestations like bitter arguments and shaming language. This illustrates the widespread disruptive nature of the scoffer and the broad benefits of their removal.

Proverbs 22 10 Bonus section

This proverb highlights that not all peace is achieved through appeasement or mere tolerance. Sometimes, maintaining peace and protecting the integrity of a community necessitates firm, decisive action against those who are determined to sow discord. The scoffer is often incorrigible by nature, and therefore, an environmental solution (removing the catalyst for strife) is more effective than attempting to reform the individual in situations where their nature has been proven to be fixed. It speaks to the idea that there are some spiritual and relational toxins that must be excised for the body to heal and thrive. This teaching resonates with broader Biblical principles of church discipline and separating from those who refuse to live in accordance with God's ways, emphasizing the health of the community over the comfort of a disruptive individual.

Proverbs 22 10 Commentary

Proverbs 22:10 offers a pragmatic and necessary directive for cultivating and maintaining peace within any community—be it a family, a church, a business, or a nation. It identifies the "scoffer" as a distinct and deeply destructive personality type. This is not merely someone who disagrees or makes an occasional sarcastic remark, but an individual whose consistent posture is one of arrogance, mockery towards what is good, and a delight in provoking contention. They are resistant to correction and thrive on creating discord.

The instruction "Drive out the scoffer" is not a call for rash or unloving action against someone who has made a mistake. Instead, it speaks to a fundamental principle of spiritual and social hygiene. Just as a small amount of leaven can spread through an entire batch of dough (1 Cor 5:6), so too can a single, unrepentant scoffer infect an entire group with strife, bitterness, and dishonor. The "driving out" is a definitive act of separation, aimed at removing the source of the contamination when all other forms of correction and patience have proven fruitless (Tit 3:10-11). It's a last resort when the individual is set on continuing their destructive behavior.

The promised outcome is clear: when the scoffer is removed, strife, quarrels, and insults will cease. This demonstrates a direct causal link. The very nature of a scoffer is to breed these things, and their absence automatically allows for healing and peace. This proverb underscores that genuine peace is not merely the absence of conflict but requires proactive measures to protect the integrity and harmony of the group. It is a protective act for the well-being of the majority.

Practical usage:

• In a church: persistent, unrepentant agitators who consistently undermine unity despite warnings may need to be disciplined.
• In a family: a member who continuously mocks or degrades others, despite attempts at reconciliation, might need boundaries set, or reduced contact to protect the emotional health of the household.
• In any community: allowing those who thrive on disruption to remain in influential positions guarantees ongoing conflict. Leadership often must make difficult decisions to ensure the collective good.