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Proverbs 9:7-9 meaning

There are two ways to respond to the correction and teaching of Wisdom. The first is to scoff and the second is to accept and apply. Which reaction we choose reveals which path we have chosen.

Throughout Proverbs, Solomon sets forth two binary options as the major choice for all mankind. The great measure of our lives comes down to which path we choose: life or death (Genesis 2:17; Deuteronomy 30:19; Matthew 7:13-14; Galatians 6:8). Here, these binary paths are differentiated by the choices of a scoffer and those of a wise man.

In verses 4-6, Wisdom has made a plea for naïve listeners to hear her and follow the path she prescribes. Verse 7 has the sound of a traditional proverb, a mini-parable meant to communicate truth: He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself (vs 7). The focal point of this statement is not He who corrects but the reaction of the scoffer.

Whoever speaks truth to a scoffer will get treated with dishonor. But dishonor from a scoffer is, ironically, a noble thing. It is a risk to present the truth to those who do not wish to hear it. But the reaction one receives, dishonor for himself, is actually a projection of the path the scoffer has chosen.

And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. There is a kind of reverse psychology happening here. If you treat the words of Wisdom with derision, you may think you are belittling her message but in actuality you are revealing yourself to be a wicked man. The dishonor and insults that are thrust upon the messenger are not true of the messenger. They are true of the scoffer/wicked man. Being treated with derision does not indicate the value of one’s message but the path the receiver of the message has chosen for himself.

Verse 8 helps make this clear. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you. Wisdom speaks here to elevate a reality: scoffers will not listen to wisdom. Therefore, don’t waste your words on them. To correct someone who you know won’t listen will not do them any good, but will cause them to attack you. So don’t bother.

Jesus might have had this proverb in mind when He made this chiastic statement in the Sermon on the Mount, after exhorting His disciples to first deal with their own flaws when they saw a flaw in someone else:

A Do not give what is holy to dogs, (dog)

B and do not throw your pearls before swine, (hog)

B’ or they will trample them under their feet, (hog)

A’ and turn and tear you to pieces (dog) (Matthew 7:6).

The implied element that is “holy” in this passage is words of correction. Giving words of correction to someone who doesn’t want to hear them is like offering a tasty morsel to a dog, you will just get your hand bitten. The implied “pearl” is the pearl of corrective words—the instruction of wisdom. Offering corrective words to a fool, a scoffer, a wicked man, is like putting a precious pearl necklace on a swine. They won’t appreciate the pearls; they will just maintain their hog-like ways of wallowing in the mud and will ruin them.

On the other hand, reprove a wise man and he will love you. People who are wise recognize corrective words as priceless pearls. They will listen to and treasure them.

The primary intention behind these statements is to get the reader to listen and pay attention to the words of wisdom, to convince us to be wise and not wicked. It is a plea to love what Lady Wisdom has petitioned in previous verses, to follow the path of wisdom Solomon is promoting. But a secondary instruction is to help us focus our energy on those who will listen. As the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy:

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
(2 Timothy 2:2)

It can be a natural reaction to expend our time and energy on those with the greatest problems. There is clearly a place to help those in need. But when it comes to the discipleship of imparting wisdom, these passages exhort us to spend our energies on those who are listeners, those who desire to hear, learn, and grow.

As the messenger, Lady Wisdom leaves open whether the audience is a scoffer or a wise man. The response to the correction of wisdom will reveal the character of the listener. The subtle message here is: what is your character? What path will you choose? The path of wisdom leads to life, and it is the path of listening to correction. This path connects us to God’s good design. The path of foolishness leads to death, or separation from God’s good design. It is the path chosen by those who scoff at correction.

Verse 9 serves as the antithesis to the scoffer’s reaction: give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning (vs 9). The scoffer rejects the message of wisdom and tries to superimpose their foolishness on the messenger. The wise man internalizes the message of wisdom and uses it to increase in learning and wisdom. The scoffer destroys the message; the wise man utilizes it to his/her benefit.

Biblical Text

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
⁹ Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

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Additional Resources

Book Theme

These are the proverbs of Solomon, one of the most renowned kings in the history of Israel. The word translated “proverb” is the Hebrew word “mashal.” The root of the word contains the idea of “compare”—it is translated throughout Scripture as “parable” just as often as “proverb.”

This gives us some insight into the nature of these sayings. Proverbs are not prescriptions. It is not about a formula for how to manipulate circumstances and bend them to our will. That might be wishful thinking, but doesn’t work in reality. The proverbs are, in a sense, “comparing” our human perceptions to the reality of God’s world; trying to connect the two by providing principles that shape our perspective and inform our choices such that we live constructively—that is to say, wisely.

Like parables, the proverbs are meant to guide us “to wisdom”, that is, into a way of living. A way of thinking and perceiving. It is about molding and shaping our perceptions, values, and character into something that is consistently in tune with God, not just as a rule-follower but as someone who understands and practices the essence of the divine. One who sees the world through God’s eyes, and acts accordingly.

Ecclesiastes might be thought of as a philosophical foundation for wisdom. It shows the way to properly view the many aspects of life we cannot control, the “hebel” or vaporous nature of all that surrounds us. The main thing Ecclesiastes shows us is the importance of choosing to trust God, and make good choices based on that trust.

Proverbs will reiterate the philosophical foundations of Ecclesiastes, then zoom in and expand upon the practical application of trusting God and choosing a true perspective within certain areas of life. Proverbs leads us to choose a true perspective in all areas of life, and creates a foundation from which we can choose actions that are constructive, beneficial, and fulfilling.

There are only three things we control in life: who we trust, our perspective, and what we do—our actions. Ecclesiastes makes this reality abundantly clear. Trying to control what we cannot leads to complete futility. Trusting God, however, provides a foundation for constructive living. Proverbs teaches us how best to steward the choices we have—how to trust God, how to choose His perspective, and the key actions to take that lead us to the path of wisdom.

Chapter Context

In Chapter 9, Solomon gives a direct juxtaposition between the way of folly and the way of Wisdom. The ways of Wisdom are described in verses 1-6 and the ways of folly in verses 13-18. In the middle, verses 7-12, there is a strong and direct description of the differences between these two paths, with “the fear of the Lord” the focal point of that distinction.

In the first third of this chapter, Lady Wisdom is seen building her house at the very top of the city (the place of prominence and visibility), constructing her sturdy and grand dwelling (complete with seven pillars). She is preparing food and wine, setting a table for a communal meal. With the preparations ready, she calls out for the naïve (untrained novices) to turn in and join her at the table she has prepared.

In the latter third of the chapter, the woman of Folly is unabashedly stealing many of Wisdom’s tactics. Her house is “near” the top of the city, she is looking to intercept those who might otherwise land at Lady Wisdom’s table. She calls out to the impressionable.

But Folly’s message reveals that she is not like Wisdom at all. Whereas wisdom invites others to a table she has prepared, Folly promotes hoarding, thievery, and isolation. Wisdom offers wine and food as symbols of life, to be enjoyed in fellowship with one another. Folly suggests food and wine (symbols of life) are meant to be consumed in secrecy.

The way of Folly leads to death and the way of Wisdom to life, abundant and eternal.

The heart of Chapter 9 is the middle third (vv 7-12). In it, Solomon says wisdom is the key to abundance. It adds quality (and sometimes quantity) to life. Wisdom serves our best interest. Folly’s mimicking ways are a perversion. They are untrue and ineffective. And those who reject the message of Wisdom are committing themselves to the danger of Folly’s path. The way back begins with fearing the Lord, heeding the instruction of Wisdom’s messengers and turning away from Folly into the dwelling of Wisdom, which has been carefully prepared for us.

Proverbs 9:7-9 meaning

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Additional Resources

Book Theme

Chapter Context

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The Bible Project - Proverbs Summary

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