The Meaning of Proverbs 10:17 Explained

Proverbs 10:17

KJV: He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

YLT: A traveller to life is he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.

Darby: Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.

ASV: He is in the way of life that heedeth correction; But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He [is in] the way  of life  that keepeth  instruction:  but he that refuseth  reproof  erreth. 

What does Proverbs 10:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 10:17-32 - The Blessing Of The Lord Maketh Rich
Let us specially avoid talking too much. Silence is golden. See Proverbs 10:19. Yet the tongue of the just is as choice silver and the lips of the righteous feed many, Proverbs 10:20-21. When we speak, let us say something and let the people to whom we speak feel that their heart is lighter and that the heavenly horizons are nearer and clearer. Whatever you do, beware of uttering slander, Proverbs 10:18. You know, by your own experience, what is acceptable; see to it that your mouth brings forth wisdom and grace, Proverbs 10:31-32.
But this portion of Scripture deals, not only with the speech of the good man, but with his stability. The blessing of God is upon him, enriching him in all manner of ways; and there is no alloy in this gold, no bitterness in God's love, Proverbs 10:22. The desire of the righteous is granted, because it is begotten of the divine Spirit. He is built on the Everlasting Rock, Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 10:30. His hope is gladness, Proverbs 10:28. As he walks in God's way, he gathers strength, Proverbs 10:29. Though he fall he is not utterly cast down; for God succors him with His saving strength, Psalms 37:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 10

1  Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices

What do the individual words in Proverbs 10:17 mean?

[in] the way of life He who keeps [is] instruction but he who refuses correction goes astray
אֹ֣רַח לְ֭חַיִּים שׁוֹמֵ֣ר מוּסָ֑ר וְעוֹזֵ֖ב תּוֹכַ֣חַת מַתְעֶֽה

אֹ֣רַח  [in]  the  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: אֹרַח  
Sense: way, path.
לְ֭חַיִּים  of  life 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
שׁוֹמֵ֣ר  He  who  keeps  [is] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
מוּסָ֑ר  instruction 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מוּסָר  
Sense: discipline, chastening, correction.
וְעוֹזֵ֖ב  but  he  who  refuses 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: עָזַב 
Sense: to leave, loose, forsake.
תּוֹכַ֣חַת  correction 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: תֹּוכֵחָה 
Sense: rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement.
מַתְעֶֽה  goes  astray 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: תָּעָה  
Sense: to err, wander, go astray, stagger.