Proverbs 29:8 kjv
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Proverbs 29:8 nkjv
Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath.
Proverbs 29:8 niv
Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.
Proverbs 29:8 esv
Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
Proverbs 29:8 nlt
Mockers can get a whole town agitated,
but the wise will calm anger.
Proverbs 29 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:22 | "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing...?" | Scoffers resistant to wisdom. |
| Prov 9:7-8 | "Whoever corrects a scoffer gets insult for himself... rebuke a scoffer, and he will hate you." | Scoffers reject instruction. |
| Prov 15:1 | "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." | Wisdom diffuses anger, direct parallel. |
| Prov 16:14 | "A king's wrath is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it." | Wise can appease severe wrath. |
| Prov 21:24 | " 'Proud, haughty scoffer' is his name, who acts with arrogant pride." | Scoffer's identity: proud and arrogant. |
| Prov 22:10 | "Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out; quarreling and abuse will cease." | Removing scoffers restores peace. |
| Prov 6:16-19 | Lists seven things the Lord hates, including "one who sows discord among brothers." | Sowing discord as a destructive act. |
| Prov 10:10 | "One who winks with his eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall." | Secret signals can stir up trouble. |
| Prov 18:6-7 | "A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin..." | Words of fools cause ruin and strife. |
| Ps 1:1 | "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers." | Warnings against associating with scoffers. |
| Matt 5:9 | "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." | Peacemaking is a divine characteristic. |
| James 3:5-6 | "How small a forest is set ablaze by a tiny spark! And the tongue is a fire..." | Tongue's power to ignite destructive strife. |
| James 3:17-18 | "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, full of mercy... and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." | Characteristics of godly wisdom. |
| Exod 32:11-14 | Moses pleaded with God, "And the Lord relented from the disaster that He had spoken of bringing upon His people." | Intercession turning away divine wrath. |
| Ps 106:30 | "Then Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was stayed." | Righteous action turning away judgment. |
| Gen 13:8-9 | Abraham said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between us... for we are kinsmen." | Peacemaking for the sake of unity. |
| Num 25:6-8 | The story of Phinehas stopping a plague caused by sin, preventing further wrath. | Swift action preventing widespread harm. |
| Prov 25:15 | "With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." | Gentle persuasion as a wise influence. |
| Isa 26:3 | "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." | Peace as a result of trusting wisdom. |
| Rom 12:18 | "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." | Exhortation to live peaceably. |
| Col 3:12-13 | "Bear with each other and forgive one another... if anyone has a complaint against someone else." | Forgiveness and forbearance for peace. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer... The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds..." | Inner peace cultivated by wise faith. |
Proverbs 29 verses
Proverbs 29 8 Meaning
Proverbs 29:8 illustrates the profound impact of individual character on community well-being. Scoffers, through their cynical words and rebellious attitudes, incite discord and social unrest, figuratively setting a city aflame by igniting conflicts and destroying communal peace. Conversely, the wise, possessing discernment and understanding, act as peacemakers, diffusing anger and preventing widespread destruction by their words and actions, thereby turning away wrath and restoring order.
Proverbs 29 8 Context
Proverbs 29 focuses broadly on themes of leadership, justice, and the consequences of wise versus foolish behavior in the community. The chapter contrasts various types of people, such as the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish, and the discerning ruler versus the oppressive one. Verse 8 specifically highlights the contrasting roles that different character types—scoffers and the wise—play in shaping the atmosphere and destiny of a "city," which represents the broader community or society. It positions the scoffer as a destructive force that ignites discord and instability, while portraying the wise as stabilizing agents who restore peace and avert calamitous outcomes, whether human-generated strife or potential divine judgment resulting from widespread unrighteousness. Historically, cities were the centers of political, social, and religious life, and their stability was paramount to the welfare of the people. This proverb underscores the vital importance of moral conduct and wise leadership for a healthy societal structure.
Proverbs 29 8 Word analysis
- Scoffers (לֵצִים - letsim): From the Hebrew root luts, meaning to mock, ridicule, scorn. These are not merely people who tell jokes, but individuals who resist instruction, despise wisdom, are cynical toward truth, and delight in creating opposition and disruption. Their scorn often stems from pride and an unwillingness to submit to God's standards or human authority, thus making them catalysts for chaos in any setting.
- Set (יָפִ֥יחוּ - yafiḥu): From the root naphach, meaning to blow, puff, or incite. It vividly paints a picture of blowing on embers to fan a flame, or breathing words that are like wind fanning a destructive fire. This indicates an active, intentional incitement, suggesting that their words and actions act as fuel for conflict.
- a city (עִיר֮ - ir): Represents the community, society, or the established social order. The "city" symbolizes an organized collective of people with shared life. Its "aflame" signifies social disintegration, moral corruption, internal conflict, and the breakdown of peace and justice, leading to ruin.
- but (וְ - ve): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast between the actions and impacts of scoffers and the wise.
- the wise (חֲכָמִ֗ים - ḥakamim): Possess ḥokhmah, God-given wisdom, which is practical skill in living, moral discernment, and insight into how to apply God's principles to everyday situations. They are prudent, discerning, and guided by truth, making them capable of resolving disputes.
- turn away (יָשִׁ֖יבוּ - yashivu): From the root shuv, meaning to return, turn back, or cause to turn. In this context, it implies actively diverting, appeasing, or de-escalating something harmful. It denotes an effective and intentional act of conflict resolution or peacemaking.
- wrath (אָֽף - af): Literally "nose," but idiomatically refers to anger, fury, or a state of inflamed passion. It can signify human wrath, societal contention, or even the potential for divine displeasure due to societal unrighteousness. The wise intervene to mitigate or completely remove this state of intense anger or its consequences.
Proverbs 29 8 Bonus section
This proverb speaks to the foundational biblical principle of the power of words. The tongue, though small, can have monumental impact—either setting things aflame (James 3:5-6) or offering healing (Prov 12:18). It underscores a vital aspect of God's wisdom, which often expresses itself in peacemaking and reconciliation, echoing Christ's beatitude on peacemakers (Matt 5:9). The "city" also symbolizes the spiritual community of believers; hence, scoffers can sow discord within the church body, while the wise promote unity and peace among brethren.
Proverbs 29 8 Commentary
Proverbs 29:8 profoundly contrasts two archetypal figures and their effects on the community: the scoffer and the wise. The scoffer, inherently defiant of wisdom and prone to cynical dismissal of truth, serves as an incendiary force. Their words and attitudes are like bellows fanning the embers of discontent, grievance, or falsehood into a full-blown conflagration. This "setting a city aflame" is a vivid metaphor for igniting social discord, moral decay, political instability, and general societal ruin, demonstrating that words steeped in pride and opposition can tear apart the fabric of communal peace.
In stark opposition stand the wise. Equipped with spiritual insight and practical discernment, they recognize the dangerous trajectory of strife. Rather than adding fuel to the fire, they skillfully intervene to "turn away wrath." This means they act as peacemakers, employing gentle words, just mediation, and righteous conduct to de-escalate tensions, reconcile disputes, and restore order. Their presence is a balm against societal friction, preventing human animosity from spiraling into destructive conflict, and potentially averting divine judgment that could otherwise come upon a morally corrupt community. The proverb teaches that the well-being and stability of a community hinge critically on the presence and influence of the wise, and the exclusion or resistance of the scoffers. It underscores that true leadership and positive social impact flow from wisdom and peacemaking, not from cynicism or contention.
For practical application, this verse prompts us to:
- Identify and resist cynical, divisive speech in our own circles.
- Practice patience and understanding when faced with conflict.
- Actively seek to be agents of reconciliation and peace in families, workplaces, and wider communities.
- Prioritize discernment in communication, choosing words that build up rather than tear down.