The Meaning of Proverbs 3:11 Explained

Proverbs 3:11

KJV: My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

YLT: Chastisement of Jehovah, my son, despise not, And be not vexed with His reproof,

Darby: My son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement;

ASV: My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

My son,  despise  not the chastening  of the LORD;  neither be weary  of his correction: 

What does Proverbs 3:11 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 3:11 mean?

The chastening of Yahweh My son not do despise nor detest His correction
מוּסַ֣ר יְ֭הוָה בְּנִ֣י אַל־ תִּמְאָ֑ס וְאַל־ תָּ֝קֹ֗ץ בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ

מוּסַ֣ר  The  chastening 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מוּסָר  
Sense: discipline, chastening, correction.
יְ֭הוָה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּנִ֣י  My  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
תִּמְאָ֑ס  do  despise 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: מָאַס 
Sense: to reject, despise, refuse.
וְאַל־  nor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
תָּ֝קֹ֗ץ  detest 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: קוּץ  
Sense: to be grieved, loathe, abhor, feel a loathing or abhorrence or sickening dread.
בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ  His  correction 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: תֹּוכֵחָה 
Sense: rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement.