Proverbs 9:9
Proverbs 9:9 in Multiple Translations
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Give teaching to a wise man, and he will become wiser; give training to an upright man, and his learning will be increased.
Educate the wise and they'll become even wiser; teach those who live right and they will increase their learning.
Giue admonition to the wise, and he will be the wiser: teache a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
Give instruction to a wise man , and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man , and he will increase in learning.
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
If you give instruction to wise people, they will become wiser. And if you teach righteous people, they will learn more.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 9:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 9:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תֵּ֣ן
לְ֭/חָכָם
וְ/יֶחְכַּם
ע֑וֹד
הוֹדַ֥ע
לְ֝/צַדִּ֗יק
וְ/י֣וֹסֶף
לֶֽקַח
תֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
לְ֭/חָכָם
châkâm
H2450
wise
Prep | Adj
וְ/יֶחְכַּם
châkam
H2449
be wise
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
ע֑וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
still
Adv
הוֹדַ֥ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
לְ֝/צַדִּ֗יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Prep | Adj
וְ/י֣וֹסֶף
yâçaph
H3254
to add
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
לֶֽקַח
leqach
H3948
teaching
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 9:9
תֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לְ֭/חָכָם
châkâm
H2450
"wise"
Prep | Adj
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Definition: 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). See also: Genesis 41:8; Proverbs 16:14; Psalms 49:11.
וְ/יֶחְכַּם
châkam
H2449
"be wise"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To be wise means to have good judgment and act intelligently, as described in the Bible. This word is used in Proverbs and other books to encourage people to seek wisdom and make wise decisions, like King Solomon.
Definition: 1) to be wise 1a) (Qal) to be or become wise, act wisely 1b) (Piel) to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct 1c) (Pual) to be made wise 1d) (Hiphil) to make wise 1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself wise, deceive, show one's wisdom
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiser. See also: Exodus 1:10; Proverbs 13:20; Psalms 19:8.
ע֑וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
"still"
Adv
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
הוֹדַ֥ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
לְ֝/צַדִּ֗יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Prep | Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
וְ/י֣וֹסֶף
yâçaph
H3254
"to add"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.
Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.
לֶֽקַח
leqach
H3948
"teaching"
N-ms
This word refers to teaching or instruction, and it can also mean learning or insight. In the Bible, it is used to describe the teachings of God or the wisdom of a teacher, like in Proverbs 1:8 where it says to heed the teaching of a father.
Definition: 1) learning, teaching, insight 1a) instruction (obj) 1b) teaching (thing taught) 1b1) teaching-power 1b2) persuasiveness
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: doctrine, learning, fair speech. See also: Deuteronomy 32:2; Proverbs 7:21; Proverbs 1:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 9:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 9:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 9:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 9:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 9:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
- Sermons on Proverbs 9:9
Context — The Way of Wisdom
7He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 1:5 | let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel |
| 2 | Matthew 13:11–12 | He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. |
| 3 | 1 John 5:13 | I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. |
| 4 | Proverbs 25:12 | Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. |
| 5 | 1 John 2:20–21 | You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth. |
| 6 | Hosea 6:3 | So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth. |
| 7 | 2 Peter 3:18 | But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. |
Proverbs 9:9 Summary
[Proverbs 9:9 teaches us that when we instruct a wise person, they will become even wiser, and when we teach a righteous person, they will increase their learning. This means that wise and righteous people are always looking to learn and grow, and they welcome instruction and guidance from others (Psalm 119:66). By following their example, we can also become wiser and more knowledgeable, and live a more fulfilling life (Proverbs 9:11). As we seek to grow in wisdom and knowledge, let us remember to always start with the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wise man and a righteous man in Proverbs 9:9?
In Proverbs 9:9, a wise man and a righteous man are not mutually exclusive, but rather, they are complementary terms, with wisdom often being a characteristic of the righteous, as seen in Psalm 37:37, which states that the perfect man will have a desire to do what is right.
Why does the Bible say to instruct a wise man and teach a righteous man, when they already possess wisdom and righteousness?
The Bible encourages instructing and teaching the wise and righteous because it recognizes that spiritual growth is a lifelong process, as stated in 2 Peter 3:18, where believers are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
How does one become a wise or righteous person, as described in Proverbs 9:9?
To become a wise or righteous person, one must start with the fear of the Lord, as stated in Proverbs 9:10, which says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and then continue to seek knowledge and understanding, as encouraged in Proverbs 1:7, which states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
What are the benefits of instructing a wise man and teaching a righteous man, according to Proverbs 9:9?
The benefits of instructing a wise man and teaching a righteous man include an increase in wisdom and learning, as stated in Proverbs 9:9, which can lead to a longer and more fulfilling life, as seen in Proverbs 9:11, where wisdom is said to add years to one's life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the wisdom and knowledge of God to my everyday life, and how can I continue to grow in my understanding of His ways?
- How can I determine whether someone is a wise or righteous person, as described in Proverbs 9:9, and what qualities should I look for in a mentor or teacher?
- What are some areas of my life where I need instruction or teaching, and how can I humble myself to receive guidance from others, as encouraged in Proverbs 9:9?
- In what ways can I use my own wisdom and knowledge to instruct and teach others, as a way of paying forward the blessings I have received from God, and how can I be a source of encouragement and guidance to those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 9:9
Give [instruction] to a wise [man],.... In the Hebrew text it is only "give to a wise man"; give him reproof, correction, chastisement, doctrine, or instruction, be it what it will, he will be the better for it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction: in the Hebrew it is only give; for as receiving is put for learning, , so giving is put for teaching, both in Scripture and in other authors; of which see my Latin Synopsis. A just man; called a wise man in the former branch, to intimate that good men are the only wise men.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
Proverbs 9:9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.Ver. 9. Give admonition to a wise man.] This is an alms that the poorest may give, and be never the poorer, but the better. For by instructing another, a man engageth himself, lest he hear, "Physician heal thyself." Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum. See my "Common Place of Admonition."
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
(9) Give instruction to a wise man.—Comp. Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
Verse 9. Give instruction to a wise man] Literally give to the wise, and he will be wise. Whatever you give to such, they reap profit from it. They are like the bee, they extract honey from every flower.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 9:9
9. Comp. Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 18:15.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 9:9
9. Give — The word instruction being supplied. A noun, which is the complement of a verb, is often omitted, when it may be readily supplied from the context.
Sermons on Proverbs 9:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Saved Through the Fire) 15 - the Escaped Remnant by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of personal growth and spiritual transformation. He shares his own experiences of being separated from friends and going throu |
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Homily 6 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the significance of the wise men from the East seeking Jesus, emphasizing the divine intervention through the star to lead them to the newborn King of t |
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Teachers by John Follette | John Follette emphasizes the profound role of teaching in Paul's ministry, highlighting how Paul's missionary work was driven by his passion as a teacher. Early teachers introduced |
|
Precept and Practice by W.R. Inge | W.R. Inge emphasizes the value of having one master who embodies a life of wisdom and virtue over a thousand masters who are experts in reading and knowledge. He points out that wh |
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1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 4 by Richard Wurmbrand | This sermon delves into the themes of affliction, abortion, and the importance of listening to God, Jesus, and nature. It reflects on the suffering experienced in communist countri |
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Francis Schaeffer on Education by Francis Schaeffer | Francis Schaeffer emphasizes the importance of protecting Christian schools from having their curriculum controlled by those who have negatively influenced public schools. He stres |
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Teach Me to Listen by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of listening to God amidst the chaos of life, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Samuel who responded to God's call with a willin |