The Meaning of Proverbs 3:12 Explained

Proverbs 3:12

KJV: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

YLT: For whom Jehovah loveth He reproveth, Even as a father the son He is pleased with.

Darby: for whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

ASV: For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For whom the LORD  loveth  he correcteth;  even as a father  the son  [in whom] he delighteth. 

What does Proverbs 3:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:1-12 - The Results Of Trusting Jehovah
How replete with helpful instruction on the policy of life is this paragraph! The young of both sexes are invited to be merciful in their judgments or dealings, and faithful in the discharge of their responsibilities or duties. These are two prime qualifications for a right attitude toward God and man.
The perplexed are bidden to distrust their own understanding and to trust in God for guidance. If you do not see your way, wait till God reveals it. Notice the repeated word all-all thine heart, all thy ways. A thread reaching from our person to the ground may impair our perfect insularity. The business man is urged to honor God, as Abraham did, when returning laden with booty from his conflict with the freebooting kings, Genesis 14:23. The suffering are urged to look beyond their pain and sorrow to the hand that chastens, Proverbs 3:11-12. These precious words are endorsed by later Scriptures. See Hebrews 12:5-6 and Revelation 3:19. We can never forget the tender assurance of Job 5:18-19. There is no chance in life; accept all as by God's appointment or permission. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 3

1  various exhortations
13  The gain of wisdom
27  Exhortation to goodness
33  the different state of the wicked and upright

What do the individual words in Proverbs 3:12 mean?

for - whom loves Yahweh He corrects and just as a father - the son [in whom] he delights
כִּ֤י אֶ֥ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶאֱהַ֣ב יְהוָ֣ה יוֹכִ֑יחַ וּ֝כְאָ֗ב אֶת־ בֵּ֥ן יִרְצֶֽה

אֶ֥ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר  whom 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יֶאֱהַ֣ב  loves 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָהַב  
Sense: to love.
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יוֹכִ֑יחַ  He  corrects 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָכַח  
Sense: to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right.
וּ֝כְאָ֗ב  and  just  as  a  father 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
בֵּ֥ן  the  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִרְצֶֽה  [in  whom]  he  delights 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָצָא 
Sense: to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favourably.