Proverbs 9:7 kjv

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Proverbs 9:7 nkjv

"He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

Proverbs 9:7 niv

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

Proverbs 9:7 esv

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

Proverbs 9:7 nlt

Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

Proverbs 9 verses

Proverbs 9 7 Meaning

Proverbs 9:7 cautions against offering correction or rebuke to those who are stubbornly resistant to truth and righteousness. Attempting to instruct a mocker (one who scoffs at wisdom) or to admonish the wicked will not lead to their improvement but instead will result in the corrector receiving insult, derision, or even incurring disgrace or harm. It emphasizes the importance of discerning the audience for wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9 7 Context

Proverbs chapter 9 concludes the introductory section (chapters 1-9) which powerfully personifies Wisdom and Folly as two women calling out to humanity. Both offer feasts and invitations to their "houses." Verses 7-12, where 9:7 is found, act as a crucial interlude within Wisdom's invitation, directly preceding the final invitation of Lady Folly (9:13-18). This section distinguishes between how different individuals respond to instruction, thereby providing a practical discernment for those who wish to pursue wisdom. It contrasts the destructive reaction of the mocker and the wicked to correction with the receptive and growth-oriented response of the wise. The historical context reflects a wisdom tradition common in the Ancient Near East, where instruction in righteous living and social conduct was highly valued, yet acknowledged that not all recipients would be open to it. There is an implicit polemic against naive assumptions that all individuals, regardless of their disposition, will benefit from moral guidance.

Proverbs 9 7 Word analysis

• Whoever corrects (Hebrew: יָסַר yāsar): This word signifies to discipline, instruct, chasten, or warn. It implies a loving or principled effort to guide someone toward truth or better behavior. It is a fundamental act of a teacher, parent, or wise person. Its significance here is that even a good, intended action like correction can have a negative outcome depending on the recipient.

• a mocker (Hebrew: לֵץ lēṣ): This refers to a scorner, derider, or insolent person. The mocker is characterized by their proud disdain for wisdom, instruction, and righteousness. They are not merely ignorant, but actively hostile to truth and often derive perverse pleasure from belittling those who seek or offer it. They have sealed themselves off from instruction through their arrogance.

• invites insult (Hebrew: לֹקֵחַ קָלוֹן loqēaḥ qālōn): Literally, "receives shame" or "takes disgrace." The corrector becomes the object of scorn or contempt from the mocker. It means that attempting to correct such a person will boomerang, leading to the corrector being reviled or shamed instead of the mocker being changed.

• whoever rebukes (Hebrew: מוֹכִיחַ môkhîaḥ): One who argues, proves, corrects, or admonishes. Similar to yāsar, but can have a stronger emphasis on setting someone straight or proving them wrong, often implying a more direct confrontation of wrongdoing.

• the wicked (Hebrew: רָשָׁע rāshāʿ): The unrighteous, evil, or guilty. These are individuals who are morally corrupt, those whose actions are consistently contrary to God's ways and often involve injustice or harm to others. Their hearts are set on evil.

• incurs abuse (Hebrew: מֻומּוֹ mummô): This is a unique and somewhat debated term in this context, derived from a word meaning "blemish" or "fault." Translations vary, but the general consensus in this verse is that the corrector will receive damage or disgrace, or bring trouble/harm upon themselves. It denotes that the interaction with the wicked will result in a negative consequence for the one attempting to correct them, rather than a positive outcome for the wicked. It implies a moral stain, personal injury, or suffering abuse.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse": This is a chiasm (ABBA structure) where "corrects" and "rebukes" are synonyms, as are "insult" and "abuse" (or disgrace/blemish). The structure highlights the parallel negative outcomes for the corrector. The wisdom here is highly pragmatic: know your audience. Not all ears are open, and some are actively hostile, turning attempted benevolence into personal detriment.

Proverbs 9 7 Bonus section

• The passage Prov 9:7-9 illustrates a critical ethical boundary in sharing truth: While the Bible encourages bold witness and loving confrontation of sin (2 Tim 4:2, Tit 1:13, Jam 5:19-20), Proverbs highlights situations where continued efforts may be counterproductive or even harmful to the messenger without any benefit to the recipient. It calls for Spirit-led discernment, knowing when to persist and when to shake the dust off one's feet (Lk 9:5).
• The contrast between the mocker and the wise person (Prov 9:8) is key. The wise person values correction as a pathway to deeper understanding and character, seeing it as a sign of love, while the mocker views it as an attack and reacts with animosity. This differentiation reveals much about a person's receptivity to God's grace and truth.
• This proverb suggests a type of spiritual economy. The wise are not to expend their precious resource of wisdom (their instruction, time, emotional energy) on those who will not only reject it but use it as an opportunity to defile or harm. This protects the integrity of wisdom itself and the well-being of the wise.

Proverbs 9 7 Commentary

Proverbs 9:7 serves as a crucial piece of practical wisdom within the grand narrative of Wisdom's invitation. It instructs the aspiring wise individual on discernment: not every person is a suitable recipient of correction. The mocker and the wicked are identified as irredeemable by human instruction, not because wisdom itself is ineffective, but because their hearts are hardened and actively resistant. A mocker is fundamentally prideful, finding delight in derision and scoffing at all forms of serious instruction. The wicked are characterized by an intentional pursuit of evil, rendering them unreceptive to moral appeals.

Attempting to correct such individuals is not only futile but also perilous. The mocker will turn the tables, aiming insults and ridicule at the corrector, perhaps to maintain their perceived superiority or to avoid acknowledging their own fault. The wicked will respond by causing injury, shame, or bringing a blemish upon the one who challenges their wrongdoing. This teaching guards the wise person from wasted effort, unnecessary suffering, and even potential moral contamination. It encourages prudence in how and to whom one offers counsel, aligning with the biblical principle of preserving what is sacred (Mt 7:6). While it doesn't preclude seeking the salvation of the lost through the Gospel, it guides wise interaction, recognizing that deep-seated rebellion often requires divine intervention, and that constant human confrontation can harden rather than soften. The emphasis is on prioritizing efforts where they will bear fruit and safeguarding oneself from needless harm from those actively opposed to truth.