Proverbs 1:5
in Proverbs 1let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
KJV
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
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This verse in Proverbs 1
Commentary
10 notes on this verseA wise man will hear,.... With great attention, and hearken to the proverbs and wise sayings herein delivered; for here are many things entertaining to men of years and wisdom, as well as instructive to young men and simple ones; and will increase learning; or "add" (k) to his stock of learning; or, as the Targum, "will add knowledge;'' see 2Pe 1:5; or, "will be wiser", as the Vulgate Latin version.
This site's exposition
let the wise listen and gain instruction
on Proverbs 1:5-6
Verse 5 turns from the simple of verse 4 to those already wise, since in this book even the wise keep adding to their wisdom. Understanding a proverb is a double task, the terse saying and the working out of what it means in a life.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
A commentator
Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32:172 · Written before 253.
proposed
He who accepts the doctrines of wisdom, sometimes, in addition to the first doctrines because of which he is already wise, takes up second doctrines in reference to which he was not formerly wise, and [then] he will be wiser, just as also it is said, "For when a wise man has heard these things, he will be wiser."
The Medieval Church4 voices
A commentator
Gregory the DialogistRegister of Epistles, Book 1, Epistle 5 · Written before 604.
proposed
There are indeed many who know how so to control their outward advancement as by no means to fall inwardly thereby. Whence it is written, "God casteth not away the mighty, seeing that He also Himself is mighty." And it is said through Solomon, "A man of understanding shall possess governments." But to me these things are difficult, since they are also exceedingly burdensome; and what the mind has not received willingly it does not control fitly. Lo, our most serene Lord the Emperor has ordered an ape to be made a lion. And, indeed, in virtue of his order it can be called a lion, but a lion it cannot be made. Wherefore his Piety must needs himself take the blame of all my faults and short-comings, having committed a ministry of power to a weak agent.
A wise man will hear and become wiser. Since Solomon was a lover of wisdom, who, having the option given to him, sought and received wisdom, he fittingly begins his Parables with wisdom. But when it is said: A wise man, when he hears the …
A commentator
BonaventureCollationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
"The wise man hearing shall be wiser, and the one who understands shall possess counsels." In the second word Solomon shows that it is useful to hear the word of God; and the reason is that in the hearing of the word of God both …
And he who understands will possess governance. Let no one boast about their knowledge because if anyone often neglects to hear and understand the words of the wise, they do not know how to properly govern their life. How much more can such a person …
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Those who are young and simple may by them be made wise, and are not excluded from Solomon's school, as they were from Plato's. No; here is not only milk for babes, but strong meat for strong men.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
But it is not for the young only that he writes. The “man of understanding” may gain “wise counsels,” literally, the power to “steer” his course rightly on the dangerous seas of life. This “steersmanship,” it may be noted, is a word almost unique to Proverbs (compare “counsel” in Pro 11:14; Pro 12:5; Pro 24:6).
A wise man wilt hear - I shall not only give such instructions as may be suitable to the youthful and inexperienced, but also to those who have much knowledge and understanding. So said St. Paul: We speak wisdom among them that are perfect. This and the following verse are connected in the old MS. and in Coverdale: “By hearyinge the wyse man shall come by more wysdome; and by experience he shall be more apte to understonde a parable and the interpretation thereof; the wordes of the wyse and the darke speaches of the same.”
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| יִשְׁמַ֣ע | yishma' | let him listen | H8085 → | 1159 times |
| חָ֭כָם | chakhom | a prudent [one] | H2450 → | 138 times |
| וְי֣וֹסֶף | veyosef | and let him increase | H3254 → | 212 times |
| לֶ֑קַח | lekach | insight | H3948 → | 9 times |
| וְ֝נָב֗וֹן | venavon | and a discerning [one] | H995 → | 170 times |
| תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת | tachbulot | wise directions | H8458 → | 6 times |
| יִקְנֶֽה׃ | yikneh | let him get | H7069 → | 84 times |
יִשְׁמַ֣עlet him listen
yishma'H8085 →1159 times
חָ֭כָםa prudent [one]
chakhomH2450 →138 times
וְי֣וֹסֶףand let him increase
veyosefH3254 →212 times
לֶ֑קַחinsight
lekachH3948 →9 times
וְ֝נָב֗וֹןand a discerning [one]
venavonH995 →170 times
תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹתwise directions
tachbulotH8458 →6 times
יִקְנֶֽה׃let him get
yiknehH7069 →84 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 12:1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
it leads to
- Proverbs 15:10
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
- Proverbs 9:7–8
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Psalms 119:97–100
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
- Proverbs 5:12–13
and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
- Proverbs 18:1
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
- Proverbs 15:10
Through
Job 34:10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
it leads to
- Romans 9:14
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!
- Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7
And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
- Romans 9:14
Where this verse is studied
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About Proverbs
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon; Gregory the Dialogist, Register of Epistles, Book 1, Epistle 5; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32:172.