The Meaning of Proverbs 15:5 Explained

Proverbs 15:5

KJV: A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

YLT: A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.

Darby: A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.

ASV: A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A fool  despiseth  his father's  instruction:  but he that regardeth  reproof  is prudent. 

What does Proverbs 15:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 15:1-17 - Kind Words And Glad Hearts
A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright-these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God's Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3, r.v.
Notice, also, the inducements to a right and holy life! Treasure in the house; answered prayer; the love of God; a cheerful heart; a contented mind-such are some of the by-products and experiences of those whose life is "hid with Christ in God." When we put first things in the first place, all else is added.
What a comfort it is that God searcheth our hearts and knoweth them altogether! Yes, and even when He chastens and corrects us, it is well. There is no bliss comparable to that of the forgiven sinner, who is called into "the secret place of the Most High." [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath

What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:5 mean?

A fool despises instruction of his father but he who receives correction is prudent
אֱוִ֗יל יִ֭נְאַץ מוּסַ֣ר אָבִ֑יו וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר תּוֹכַ֣חַת יַעְרִֽם

אֱוִ֗יל  A  fool 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱוִיל  
Sense: be foolish, foolish.
יִ֭נְאַץ  despises 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָאַץ  
Sense: to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor.
מוּסַ֣ר  instruction 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מוּסָר  
Sense: discipline, chastening, correction.
אָבִ֑יו  of  his  father 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר  but  he  who  receives 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
תּוֹכַ֣חַת  correction 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: תֹּוכֵחָה 
Sense: rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement.
יַעְרִֽם  is  prudent 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָרַם  
Sense: to be subtle, be shrewd, be crafty, beware, take crafty counsel, be prudent.