Proverbs 23:15 kjv

My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

Proverbs 23:15 nkjv

My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice?indeed, I myself;

Proverbs 23:15 niv

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;

Proverbs 23:15 esv

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.

Proverbs 23:15 nlt

My child, if your heart is wise,
my own heart will rejoice!

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 15 Meaning

Proverbs 23:15 conveys the profound and deeply personal joy of a parent or mentor when their child or disciple genuinely embraces and lives out wisdom in their inner being. This verse highlights that the instructor's greatest delight stems not from the child's external successes, but from their internal, moral, and spiritual discernment – when their "heart" is truly wise.

Proverbs 23 15 Context

Proverbs 23 is a collection of urgent and specific parental admonitions, part of a larger section (chapters 22-24) offering wisdom for righteous living. This chapter addresses various dangers, including gluttony, drunkenness, association with wicked individuals, and the allure of wealth, while concurrently emphasizing the importance of discipline, valuing wisdom, and maintaining moral uprightness. Verse 15 follows directly after a verse (23:14) discussing the benefits of disciplinary measures for a child's soul. It shifts from external discipline to the internal outcome desired, illustrating the father's emotional investment in the son's internal transformation—his wisdom of heart.

Proverbs 23 15 Word analysis

• My son (בְּנִ֥י, bēnī): A term of affectionate address and authority, common throughout Proverbs (e.g., Prov 1:8, 2:1, 3:1). It indicates a close relationship between the instructor and the instructed, extending beyond biological offspring to a disciple or mentee receiving earnest moral and spiritual guidance.
• if (אִם־, ’im-): Introduces a conditional clause, not implying doubt but establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship. It signifies that the father's joy is directly dependent upon the son's voluntary choice and cultivation of wisdom.
• thine heart (לִבֶּ֑ךָ, libběkhā): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב, lev) represents the innermost core of a person – the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral decision-making. It is where one thinks, desires, decides, and determines. Thus, "wise" here means a wisdom that permeates one's entire being, shaping character and choices (Prov 4:23).
• be wise (חָכַ֥ם, ḥākhām): To be or become skillful, discerning, prudent. This signifies active engagement and embodiment of wisdom (ḥokmah), which in a biblical sense is not merely intellectual knowledge but the ability to live skillfully in practical, moral, and spiritual matters according to God's will (Prov 1:7).
• my heart (לִבִּ֗י, libbī): Referring to the father/mentor's inner being. It mirrors the concept of the son's heart, emphasizing the deep, personal, and spiritual connection between them. The joy is not superficial but felt at the deepest level of the father's being.
• shall rejoice (יִשְׂמַ֥ח, yiśmaḥ): Denotes profound gladness, delight, or exultation. It conveys intense, overflowing happiness rather than mere contentment, stemming from the deeply satisfying sight of the son's moral and spiritual flourishing.
• even mine (גַּם־אָֽנִי׃, gam-’āni): An emphatic particle ("gam") combined with the first-person pronoun. It serves to underscore and personalize the father's joy, emphasizing that this delight is truly and personally his, a direct consequence of his son's wise heart. It highlights the depth of the parent's investment and affection.

• "My son, if thine heart be wise": This opening phrase establishes the instructional relationship and sets the condition for the profound joy that follows. It highlights that true wisdom must reside within the innermost being, indicating an internal transformation and moral development rather than just outward conformity.
• "my heart shall rejoice, even mine": This expresses the depth of emotional satisfaction the instructor feels. The doubling of "heart" (his son's and his own) signifies a powerful empathetic bond, and the emphatic "even mine" accentuates the singular, deeply personal nature of this joy for the father, indicating that seeing his son's spiritual maturity is among his greatest sources of happiness.

Proverbs 23 15 Bonus section

• The "son" can represent not only a biological child but also a spiritual protégé, disciple, or any individual learning and growing under a mentor's guidance. This expands the application of the verse to the dynamics of spiritual formation within the Church.
• The emphasis on the "heart" signifies that true wisdom is not superficial knowledge or external obedience, but an internal posture and disposition that affects all aspects of one's life. This inner transformation is what brings ultimate delight to those who have poured into the individual.
• This verse highlights God's own heart as a parent. When His children walk in His ways and allow His wisdom to permeate their hearts, it brings Him glory and joy, mirroring the sentiment of the earthly father.
• The intense joy described acts as a powerful motivation for the "son" to pursue wisdom, as it communicates the immense value placed on their spiritual state by those who love and instruct them.

Proverbs 23 15 Commentary

Proverbs 23:15 beautifully illustrates the heartfelt desire and ultimate reward for anyone invested in raising or mentoring another in the ways of God. The deepest joy for a spiritual guide or parent comes not from the external accolades or material successes of their charge, but from the cultivation of true wisdom within their heart – that central core of being where character is formed and choices are made. When a "son" chooses and embodies biblical wisdom, aligning his will and understanding with divine truth, it produces a profound, personal, and selfless joy in the "father" that is unequalled. This joy is a reciprocal blessing, where the pursuit of righteousness by the disciple becomes the genuine delight of the mentor, validating the tireless investment made in instruction and discipline. This emphasizes that godliness is the ultimate goal, bringing supreme happiness to those who sow and those who reap.