Proverbs 15:14

Proverbs 15:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
• New International Version (NIV)The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Context of Proverbs 15:14

12A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him; Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction]. 13A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed. The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances]. 16Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Than great treasure and trouble with it.

Proverbs 15:14 word by word

לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of him that hath understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• but the mouthפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• but the mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• feedethרָעָהrâ‛âh · to pastureH7462
• on foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:14

• Proverbs 1:5The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],
• Proverbs 9:9Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser; Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
• 1 Kings 3:6Then Solomon said, “You have shown Your servant David my father great lovingkindness, because he walked before You in faithfulness and righteousness and with uprightness of heart toward You; and You have kept for him this great lovingkindness, in that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.
• Psalms 119:97Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
• Acts 17:11Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
• 2 Peter 3:18but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
• Proverbs 12:23A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time], But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.
• Isaiah 30:10Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions from God”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right! Speak to us pleasant things and smooth words, Prophesy [deceitful] illusions [that we will enjoy].
• Isaiah 44:20That kind of man (the idolater) feeds on ashes [and is satisfied with ashes]! A deceived mind has led him astray, so that he cannot save himself, or ask, “Is this thing [that I am holding] in my right hand not a lie?”
• Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on the [emptiness of the] wind And [continually] pursues the [parching] east wind [which brings destruction]; Every day he multiplies lies and violence. Further, he makes a covenant with Assyria And (olive) oil is carried to Egypt [to seek alliances].

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:14

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Our preference for knowledge or trivial things shows if we are pursuing wisdom or foolishness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:14

• Heart
• Knowledge
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings