What Does Proverbs 19:25 Mean in the King James?
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The open learner is warned by the blow that falls on the scoffer, while the discerning person can turn direct reproof into understanding.
THE MEANING
A scorner is struck, and the simple person becomes wary; a person with understanding is reproved and comes to understand knowledge. The verse holds both responses in view: one person learns from the consequence inflicted on another, while the discerning person receives correction directly.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that correction must reach everyone in the same way: the inexperienced may be warned by another’s punishment, while the discerning person can grow through direct reproof.
THE ROOT
פֶּתִי
pethî
GROWS FROM
פתה
p-t-h
To be open or readily persuaded; by extension, to entice or persuade.
The simple person is not just uninformed but open to influence. Seeing the scorner struck makes that person wary, turning someone else’s consequence into a warning.
ALSO GROWS
pātâ: To entice or persuade.
פָּתָה
This branch shows how being open to influence can make someone susceptible to persuasion.
pethî: A simple or inexperienced person.
פֶּתִי
This is the word used for the observer whose response is changed by the scorner’s punishment.
הוֹכִיחַ
hôḵîaḥ
GROWS FROM
יכח
y-kh-ḥ
To prove, decide, or reprove.
“reprove” in this verse is hôḵîaḥ. The root carries the sense of bringing a matter forward for judgment, alongside the act of rebuking. Reproof can therefore meet a discerning person as something to consider and answer, rather than as a bare scolding.
ALSO GROWS
tôḵēḥâ: Reproof or rebuke.
תּוֹכֵחָה
This noun names the corrective encounter that the discerning person can receive.
môḵîaḥ: One who reproves or corrects.
מוֹכִיחַ
This branch makes explicit that reproof comes through someone addressing the matter.
יָבִין
yāḇîn
GROWS FROM
בין
b-y-n
To discern or distinguish.
The verse uses this root for both the person who already has understanding and the understanding that follows reproof: נָבוֹן (nāḇôn), “discerning,” and יָבִין (yāḇîn), “he will understand.” Correction deepens discernment in the person able to receive it.
ALSO GROWS
nāḇôn: Discerning or understanding.
נָבוֹן
This describes the person who can receive reproof.
bînâ: Understanding or discernment.
בִּינָה
This noun shows the faculty that grows when correction is received.
THE PATTERN
People receive correction differently: an observed consequence can make the inexperienced prudent, while direct reproof can deepen a discerning person’s knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:THE THREAD
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.Both verses use פֶּתִי (pethî), “simple or inexperienced person.” Proverbs 14:15 shows this person readily believes what is heard, clarifying why witnessing a consequence can make the simple person wary.
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