Proverbs 24:9 kjv

The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Proverbs 24:9 nkjv

The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

Proverbs 24:9 niv

The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.

Proverbs 24:9 esv

The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

Proverbs 24:9 nlt

The schemes of a fool are sinful;
everyone detests a mocker.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 9 Meaning

Proverbs 24:9 teaches two core truths: first, that the deliberate planning or inclination towards folly, or moral evil, is in itself sin, even before action. Second, it declares that the scorner, a person who habitually mocks wisdom, righteousness, and correction, is utterly detestable to mankind, reflecting a righteous aversion to their unrepentant and destructive nature. This verse underscores that sin begins in the mind and heart, and that certain character types become abhorrent due to their opposition to truth and moral order.

Proverbs 24 9 Context

Proverbs 24 falls within the "Words of the Wise" section (Proverbs 22:17-24:34), a collection of independent sayings and extended admonitions distinct from the initial Solomon's proverbs or the later Hezekiah's collection. This chapter often emphasizes the dangers of wickedness and folly, promoting diligence, justice, and prudent living. Verse 9 specifically serves as a strong warning against the internal origination of sin and the profoundly negative impact of certain character types. It builds on previous proverbs that distinguish between the wise, the simple, and various kinds of fools, highlighting the scorner as the most irredeemable due to their active rejection of correction and truth, making them anathema to any decent society that values wisdom and order.

Proverbs 24 9 Word analysis

• מְזִמַּת (mezimmat): "The devising of," "scheme of," "plot," "thought," "purpose." While it can denote any plan, in Proverbs it frequently carries a negative connotation, referring to an evil or malicious intent or a scheme towards wickedness. It implies pre-meditation and deliberation.
• אִוֶּלֶת (ivvelet): "folly," "foolishness," "moral evil." This term for folly is not merely intellectual deficiency or simplemindedness (`pethi`). Rather, it describes a deep moral corruption, a wilful rejection of wisdom, reason, and righteousness, often manifested in rebellious behavior against God's ways. It points to an inner spiritual emptiness and corruption.
• חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt): "sin," "offering for sin," "guilt." This fundamental Hebrew word for sin primarily means "missing the mark" or falling short of God's standard. Here, it signifies that the very conception or deliberate thought of foolishness/evil is an offense against God, making the intention itself morally culpable, not just the overt act. This expands the scope of sin beyond external actions.
• וְתוֹעֲבַת (wəṯōʿăḇaṯ): "and abomination of," "detestable thing." `To'evah` signifies something that is utterly loathsome, abhorrent, or disgusting, especially from a moral or ritual purity standpoint. In many contexts, it refers to things abominable to God (e.g., idolatry, unjust weights, pride). Here, it extends to human repulsion, reflecting God's righteous judgment against certain behaviors.
• לָאָדָם (la'adam): "to man," "to humanity." This emphasizes that the scorner is detestable not only in God's eyes but also to those upright individuals within human society who value truth, righteousness, and peace. It denotes the natural aversion felt by sensible people toward such a character.
• לֵץ (lēṣ): "scorner," "mocker." The scorner is a distinct category of the foolish in Proverbs. Unlike the "simple" who are naïve, or the "fool" who lacks moral sense, the scorner is characterized by open contempt for wisdom, instruction, God, and authority. They are arrogant, cynical, actively hostile to correction, and enjoy making fun of serious things. They are beyond persuasion and instruction, having hardened their hearts.

• The devising of folly is sin: This phrase highlights that the root of sin lies not just in outward actions, but in inward thoughts and intentions. It is the deliberate formation of evil plans or the premeditated embrace of ungodly foolishness that constitutes sin. This profound truth resonates with later biblical teachings on the heart as the wellspring of life or corruption.
• The scorner is an abomination to men: This underscores the social dimension of spiritual wickedness. The scorner, by their defiant and dismissive attitude towards all that is good and true, becomes repellent not only to God but also to upright human beings. Their presence creates discord and moral decay, making them unwelcome in righteous society. Their nature invites scorn from the upright, just as they offer scorn to wisdom.

Proverbs 24 9 Bonus section

The concept of mezimmat ivvelet (devising of folly/evil) signifies more than a passing bad thought; it's a settled inclination, a wicked intent, a premeditated course of moral waywardness. This distinguishes it from an impulsive mistake, making the sin more grievous because it flows from a corrupt will. The wisdom literature frequently maps out a progression of negative character types: the simpleton (pethi), the fool (kesil or ’evil), and finally, the scorner (lēṣ). The simple can be taught; the fool is resistant but perhaps not completely lost; but the scorner is deeply entrenched in rebellion, beyond instruction, actively hostile to what is right. Driving out the scorner (as suggested in Prov 22:10) is often presented as a necessary step for restoring peace and wisdom to a community, signifying that their influence is profoundly detrimental.

Proverbs 24 9 Commentary

Proverbs 24:9 offers a penetrating insight into the nature of sin and character. Firstly, it declares that sin is not merely a matter of overt actions but originates in the mind and heart. The very devising or intentional planning of moral folly—that is, thought-patterns steeped in wickedness, self-deception, and rejection of divine truth—is explicitly identified as sin (ḥaṭṭāʾt). This broadens the understanding of accountability, holding individuals culpable for their internal world, setting the stage for New Testament emphasis on the heart's condition.

Secondly, the verse describes the scorner (lēṣ) as an "abomination" (tōʿăḇāh) to mankind. The scorner represents the pinnacle of incorrigible folly; unlike the simple who can be taught, or the fool who lacks sense, the scorner actively disdains wisdom, scoffs at righteousness, and resists all correction with cynical arrogance. Their attitude is so antithetical to truth, humility, and moral order that they become utterly repellent. This moral detestation by others reflects God's own abhorrence of such hardened hearts. Practically, this teaches the danger of nurturing contempt for wisdom or instruction within, and warns against associating closely with those whose character is marked by constant scoffing, as their influence can only lead away from paths of righteousness and peace.