Proverbs 21:11

Proverbs 21:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
• New International Version (NIV)When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
• English Standard Version (ESV)When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
• New King James Version (NKJV)When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Context of Proverbs 21:11

9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman. 10The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance]; His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes. When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise; But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked— How the wicked are cast down to ruin. 13Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor Will cry out himself and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:11 word by word

בַּעְנָשׁ־לֵ֭ץ יֶחְכַּם־פֶּ֑תִי וּבְהַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְ֝חָכָ֗ם יִקַּח־דָּֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• When the scornerלִיץlûts · to mockH3887
• is punishedעָנַשׁ‛ânash · to fineH6064
• the simpleפֶּ֫תִיpethîy pethîy pethâ'îy · simpleH6612
• is made wiseחָכַםchâkam · be wiseH2449
• and when the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• is instructedשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• he receivethלָקַחlâqach · to take: recieveH3947
• knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847

Cross-references for Proverbs 21:11

• Proverbs 19:25Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent; Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.
• Numbers 16:34All Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth may swallow us also.”
• Deuteronomy 13:11Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.
• Deuteronomy 21:21Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death; so you shall remove the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear of it and be afraid.
• Psalms 64:7But God will shoot them with an [unexpected] arrow; Suddenly they will be wounded.
• Acts 5:5And hearing these words, Ananias fell down suddenly and died; and great fear and awe gripped those who heard of it.
• 1 Corinthians 10:6Now these things [the warnings and admonitions] took place as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.
• Hebrews 2:1For this reason [that is, because of God’s final revelation in His Son Jesus and because of Jesus’ superiority to the angels] we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth.
• Hebrews 10:28Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• Revelation 11:13And in that [very] hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell and was destroyed; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest [who survived] were overcome with terror, and they glorified the God of heaven [as they recognized His awesome power].
• 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.
• Proverbs 15:14The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.
• Proverbs 18:1He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

Commentaries on Proverbs 21:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11When the scorner is punished - When those who mock at religion, blaspheme against its Author, and endeavor to poison society, and disturb the peace of the community by their false doctrine, meet with that degree of punishment which their crimes, as far as they affect the public peace, deserve; then the simple, who were either led away, or in danger of being led away, by their pernicious doctrines, are made wise. And when those thus made wise are…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11Verse 11 The simple may be made wise by punishments on the wicked, and by instructions to those who are willing to be taught.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11The simple-minded learn when they see a mocker punished (see Proverbs 1:22; 19:25). The wise do not need punishment threats because they already seek wisdom.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. (Compare Pr 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 21:11

• Punishment
• Reproof
• Scoffing
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Mind
• Ponder
• Toss
• Forfeit
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Teach; Teacher; Teaching

Commentaries on Proverbs 21

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings