Proverbs 24:9
in Proverbs 24A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
KJV
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
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This verse in Proverbs 24
Commentary
4 notes on this verseThe thoughts of foolishness is sin,.... The thought of sin is sin (e), before it comes into action; the motions of sin in the mind, the workings of corrupt nature in the heart, the sinful desires of the flesh and of the mind: these are forbidden and condemned by the law of God as sin, which says, "Thou shall not covet", Exo 20:17, and stand in need of pardoning grace and mercy; see Rom 7:
This site's exposition
Wisdom is too high for a fool
on Proverbs 24:7-9
"Wisdom is too high for a fool," so "he does not open his mouth in the meeting place," the city gate. Wisdom's reach is beyond him. The unit then calls the plan itself sin, since "A foolish scheme is sin," and "a mocker is detestable to men."
This site's exposition
A foolish scheme is sin
A foolish scheme is sin even before it is carried out, as John Gill reads the line, and he cites the command against coveting. Adam Clarke gives other renderings, among them the device of the foolish is sin. The mocker is detestable to men as well.
The record, by era
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
The thought of foolishness is sin - זמת אולת חטאת zimmath ivveleth chattath. “The device of folly is transgression;” or, “an evil purpose is sinful;” or, perhaps more literally, “the device of the foolish is sin.” It has been variously understood by the versions. “The cunning: of the fool is sin.” - Targum. “The imprudent man (or fool, αφρων) shall die in sins.” - Septuagint. So the Arabic. The thinkynge of the fool is synne - Old MS. Bible.
The words behind it
6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| זִמַּ֣ת | zimat | a plan of | H2154 → | 29 times |
| אִוֶּ֣לֶת | ʾivelet | foolishness | H200 → | 25 times |
| חַטָּ֑את | chatat | [is] sin | H2403 → | 295 times |
| וְתוֹעֲבַ֖ת | vetoavat | and [is] an abomination | H8441 → | 117 times |
| לְאָדָ֣ם | leadam | to humankind | H120 → | 551 times |
| לֵֽץ׃ | letz | a mocker | H3887 → | 28 times |
זִמַּ֣תa plan of
zimatH2154 →29 times
אִוֶּ֣לֶתfoolishness
ʾiveletH200 →25 times
חַטָּ֑את[is] sin
chatatH2403 →295 times
וְתוֹעֲבַ֖תand [is] an abomination
vetoavatH8441 →117 times
לְאָדָ֣םto humankind
leadamH120 →551 times
לֵֽץ׃a mocker
letzH3887 →28 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
2 Corinthians 10:5We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
it leads to
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely…
- 1 Peter 1:14–15
As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
- Romans 7:23
But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
- Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
- Hebrews 4:12
Through
Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely…
it leads to
- Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
- James 4:8–10
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- Ezekiel 18:21–23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.
- Proverbs 28:13
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament.