Proverbs 9:9 kjv

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 9:9 nkjv

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 9:9 niv

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Proverbs 9:9 esv

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 9:9 nlt

Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.

Proverbs 9 verses

Proverbs 9 9 Meaning

Proverbs 9:9 articulates a fundamental principle regarding wisdom and learning: those who already possess wisdom and righteousness are uniquely receptive to further instruction. Such individuals are not only willing to listen but also actively integrate new knowledge, leading to a perpetual increase in their understanding and sagacity. The verse implies that the capacity for growth is inherently tied to a humble and teachable disposition, which distinguishes the wise from the foolish who reject correction.

Proverbs 9 9 Context

Proverbs chapter 9 concludes the extended opening poetic section of the book (chapters 1-9), which features the contrasting personifications of Lady Wisdom and Woman Folly. The entire chapter serves as a dramatic final appeal by Wisdom to humanity to choose her path over Folly's invitation to destruction. Verses 1-6 describe Wisdom's grand feast and open invitation, while verses 7-8 sharply delineate the difference in outcome when instructing a mocker versus a wise person. Proverbs 9:9 directly follows this distinction, reinforcing the idea that investment in the teachable yields positive results, unlike the wasted effort on the unteachable fool. It sets the stage for the book's overarching theme that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 9:10), a principle best embraced by the wise and righteous. Historically, wisdom literature aimed to provide practical guidance for living a godly and prosperous life within the covenant community.

Proverbs 9 9 Word analysis

• Give instruction / Instruct: (הוֹרֵה, horeh - a Hiphil imperative from יָרָה, yarah) This root typically means "to throw" or "to cast," but in Hiphil, it means "to teach," "to instruct," "to show," "to guide." It implies imparting specific, often divine, direction or teaching. The act is one of actively sharing knowledge or wisdom.

• wise man: (חָכָם, chakam) This term signifies a person possessing not just intellectual capacity, but practical, moral, and spiritual skill—a person who applies knowledge appropriately in life. It's often associated with someone who fears the Lord and lives by His ways.

• and he will be yet wiser: (וְיֵחְכַּם עוֹד, veyekhkam od) The phrase uses the root chakam again, but in the Nifal imperfect, indicating a state of being made wise or becoming wise. The adverb od (yet, still, again, further) emphatically stresses continued and ongoing growth. A wise person doesn't reach a static state but consistently improves their wisdom.

• teach: (הוֹדַע, hodha') Another Hiphil imperative, this time from יָדַע, yada, meaning "to know," "to perceive," "to understand." In Hiphil, it means "to cause to know," "to make known," "to declare," "to inform." It refers to the act of imparting knowledge or understanding. The parallelism with "give instruction" suggests a very similar concept, emphasizing sharing and conveying truth.

• righteous man: (צַדִּיק, tzaddiq) Refers to one who is just, innocent, ethically correct, and walks uprightly before God and man according to God's standards. In biblical thought, wisdom is deeply intertwined with righteousness. A truly wise person is also righteous, and a righteous person exhibits wisdom in their conduct.

• and he will increase in learning: (וְיוֹסִיף לֶקַח, veyosif leqach)

  • וְיוֹסִיף (veyosif): From יָסַף, yasaf, meaning "to add," "to continue," "to increase." This Hiphil imperfect indicates a progressive and expanding growth.
  • לֶקַח (leqach): This noun means "teaching," "instruction," "learning," "that which is received." It represents the content of the instruction or the outcome of having received it.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser": This clause highlights the additive nature of wisdom. A foundation of wisdom does not make one complacent but rather cultivates a hunger for more. The existing wise disposition acts as fertile ground for new truth.
  • "teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning": This parallel clause reinforces the first. Righteousness implies a proper moral and spiritual alignment that makes one receptive to truth and guidance, leading to exponential growth in knowledge and understanding.
  • The parallelism: The verse employs synonymous parallelism, where the second line reiterates and expands upon the first. Both clauses underscore the teachability and receptivity of the wise and righteous, and the resulting benefit of continued growth in wisdom and understanding. The contrast is implied with Prov 9:7-8; fools and scoffers reject wisdom, but the wise and righteous embrace it.

Proverbs 9 9 Bonus section

The proverb implies that genuine wisdom creates a paradox: the more one knows, the more they realize there is yet to learn. This humility fuels a deeper quest for knowledge. It underscores that God-given wisdom is never stagnant; it compels constant progression. The verse also serves as practical advice for teaching and discipleship, emphasizing the importance of discernment in knowing who is genuinely ready to receive and grow from instruction. True wisdom fosters an insatiable appetite for more of God's truth and guidance.

Proverbs 9 9 Commentary

Proverbs 9:9 distills a profound truth about spiritual and intellectual growth: growth is not merely about external instruction but crucially depends on internal disposition. A wise or righteous individual possesses an inherent humility and teachability, enabling them to genuinely receive and integrate new truths. Unlike the foolish who resent correction (as described in the preceding verses), the wise recognize that wisdom is not a finite possession but a journey of continuous acquisition. This receptivity means that any effort invested in teaching such individuals will yield exponential returns, propelling them further in wisdom and learning. The verse suggests a compounding effect, where initial wisdom becomes a catalyst for greater insight. It challenges individuals to cultivate a teachable spirit, a fundamental characteristic that allows God's truth to take deeper root and bear more fruit in their lives.