The Meaning of Proverbs 19:25 Explained

Proverbs 19:25

KJV: Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

YLT: A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.

Darby: Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.

ASV: Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Smite  a scorner,  and the simple  will beware:  and reprove  one that hath understanding,  [and] he will understand  knowledge. 

What does Proverbs 19:25 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 19

1  Life and Conduct

What do the individual words in Proverbs 19:25 mean?

A scoffer Strike and the simple will become wary and Rebuke one who has understanding [and] he will discern knowledge
לֵ֣ץ תַּ֭כֶּה וּפֶ֣תִי יַעְרִ֑ם וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ לְ֝נָב֗וֹן יָבִ֥ין דָּֽעַת

לֵ֣ץ  A  scoffer 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: לִיץ 
Sense: to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly.
תַּ֭כֶּה  Strike 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: נָכָה  
Sense: to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill.
וּפֶ֣תִי  and  the  simple 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּתִי 
Sense: simplicity, naivete adj.
יַעְרִ֑ם  will  become  wary 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָרַם  
Sense: to be subtle, be shrewd, be crafty, beware, take crafty counsel, be prudent.
וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ  and  Rebuke 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: יָכַח  
Sense: to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right.
לְ֝נָב֗וֹן  one  who  has  understanding 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
יָבִ֥ין  [and]  he  will  discern 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
דָּֽעַת  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.