Proverbs 12:1 — Word Study
WLCאֹהֵ֣ב מ֭וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת וְשֹׂנֵ֖א תוֹכַ֣חַת בָּֽעַר׃
BSAWhoever lovesʼâhab [has affection for, is devoted to] disciplinemûwçâr [correction, instruction] lovesʼâhab [is committed to, has a strong affection for] knowledgedaʻath [understanding, wisdom] but he who hatessânêʼ [feels intense dislike for, rejects] correctiontôwkêchâh [rebuke, reproof] is stupidbaʻar [brutish, lacking sense]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֹהֵ֣ב | [one who] loves | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| מ֭וּסָר | discipline | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֹ֣הֵֽב | [is] loving | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| דָּ֑עַת | knowledge | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְשֹׂנֵ֖א | and [one who] hates | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| תוֹכַ֣חַת | rebuke | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בָּֽעַר׃ | [is] stupid | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. |
| KJV | Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. |
| ASV | Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish. |
| YLT | Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish. |
| WEB | Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. |
| BBE | A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast. |
Where they part company is תוֹכַ֣חַת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a contrasting subordinate clause, highlighting the relationship between love for discipline and the consequences of hating correction.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָהֵב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 12:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom in Discipline and Knowledgegenerated
Proverbs 12:1 teaches that a genuine love for discipline is essential for acquiring knowledge. The verse highlights the importance of correction as a pathway to wisdom, contrasting it with the foolishness of rejecting guidance. This theme is consistent throughout Proverbs, where wisdom is often depicted as a valuable treasure, as seen in Proverbs 2:10-11 and Proverbs 8:17-32.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 2:10–11 | For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. |
| 2 | Proverbs 8:17–32 | I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. |
| 3 | Proverbs 18:1 | He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. |
| 4 | Psalm 119:27–97 | Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders. |
| 5 | 2 Thessalonians 2:10 | and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אָהֵב, 'o.Hevgenerated
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) indicates a strong affection or love, applicable to various relationships and contexts. In this verse, it emphasizes a commitment to discipline, suggesting that such affection leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of knowledge.
This participle form indicates an ongoing state of loving, which connects the subject to the action of valuing discipline as a crucial element in gaining wisdom.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.' The BSB aligns closely with the KJV and ASV in wording.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֹהֵ֣ב governs the sentence, with two clauses following it: the first clause elaborates on the love of discipline, and the second contrasts it with hatred for correction. This structure emphasizes the relationship between loving discipline and gaining knowledge.
The second part of the verse introduces another subject with the verb שֹׂנֵ֖א, linking it to the consequence of being 'stupid,' which serves as a stark contrast to the first part.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֹהֵ֣ב as ἀγαπῶν, indicating a consistent understanding of love in both texts. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the importance of affection towards discipline.
The term תוֹכַ֣חַת is rendered as ἐλέγξους, which conveys the idea of correction or rebuke, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also suggesting a moral or ethical dimension.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 12:1 states that those who love discipline also love knowledge, while those who hate correction are foolish. This teaches the value of accepting guidance and learning from mistakes as part of gaining wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Loving discipline means valuing correction and instruction, seeing them as essential for personal growth and understanding.
Hating correction signifies a rejection of guidance, which can lead to poor decisions and a lack of wisdom.
Discipline involves learning from mistakes and receiving instruction, which fosters understanding and wisdom.
Knowledge is the understanding gained through discipline, while wisdom is the application of that knowledge in life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to embrace discipline to gain knowledge?
- How can I better accept correction from others without feeling defensive?
- What role does wisdom play in my decision-making process?
- Can I identify moments when rejecting correction led to foolish choices?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 12:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhose loveth instruction loveth knowledge,.... That loves the instruction of Wisdom, or Christ, Proverbs 4:13; the means of instruction, the Scriptures, which are profitable for instruction in
Read John Gill on Proverbs 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCHAPTER 12 Instruction; admonition or reproof, as appears from the next clause, which is a singular means of getting true and sound knowledge. Loveth knowledge; showeth that he is a true lover of knowledge, because he is willing to purchase it upon such unwelcome terms, as reproofs are generally esteemed. Is brutish; discovereth himself to be a most foolish and stupid creature, because he is an enemy to himself and to his own happiness.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.Ver. 1. Whoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge.] Here is showed, that adversity is the best university, saith an interpreter. Schola crucis, schola lucis. Corrections of instruction are the way of life. Men commonly beat and bruise their links, before they light them, to make them burn the brighter. God first humbles whom he means to illuminate; as Gideon took thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he "taught the men of Succoth." Mr Ascham was a good schoolmaster to Queen Elizabeth, but affliction was a better, as one well observeth. That verse was much in her mouth - “ Non…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXII. (1) Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge.—Rather, he that loveth knowledge loveth discipline, i.e., to put himself in the place of a learner; while “he that hateth reproof,” who will not take advice, is “brutish,” “nourishing a blind life within the brain,” like the animals who are incapable of improvement.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 12 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER XII Of the benefit of instruction, and the cultivation of piety. The virtuous woman. The different lot of the just and unjust. The humane man. The industrious man. The fool and the wise man. The uncharitable. The excellence of the righteous. The slothful is in want. Righteousness leads to life, c. NOTES ON CHAP. XII Verse 1. Whoso loveth instruction] מוסר musar, discipline or correction, loves knowledge for correction is the way to knowledge. But he that hateth reproof is brutish.] בער baar, he is a bear; and expects no more benefit from correction than the ox does from the goad.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1. instruction] or, correction, R.V. text. See Proverbs 1:2, note.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 12 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBrutish - Dumb as a brute beast. The difference between man and brute lies chiefly in the capacity of the former for progress and improvement, and that capacity depends upon his willingness to submit to discipline and education.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates reproof is stupid.
Tyndale line
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoever loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
He that loueth instruction, loueth knowledge: but he that hateth correction, is a foole.
Strictly literal
Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
Whoever is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, || And whoever is hating reproof [is] brutish.
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid.
From the Latin
He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is foolish.
Simplified
If you love knowledge, you will love discipline. Anyone who hates being corrected is stupid!
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the concepts of love, discipline, and correction.
אֹהֵ֣ב מ֭וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת וְשֹׂנֵ֖א תוֹכַ֣חַת בָּֽעַר׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 12:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
luvz (Ps 45:1, title).
See PSALMS.
מוּסָר (mūsar) refers to discipline, chastening, and correction, particularly of a moral nature. It encompasses concepts like reproof, warning, and instruction, and can also imply restraint or bonds. The entries consistently highlight its focus on moral and instructional aspects, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מוּסָר n.m. discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction
base
H4148 מוּסָר discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction
4148 muwcar moo-sawr'
from 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof,
warning or instruction; also restraint:--bond, chastening
((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction, discipline,
doctrine, instruction, rebuke.
see HEBREW for 03256
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline.
: discipline/punishment
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: instruction.
: instruction
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
מוּסָר (mu.sar) — discipline: bonds.
: bonds/noose
1) discipline, chastening, correction
1a) discipline, correction
1b) chastening
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
dis'-i-plin (mucar): In the King James Version only in Job 36:10, where it refers to moral discipline, the strenuous cultivation of the righteous life; the Revised Version (British and American) "instruction." the Revised Version (British and American) in 2Ti 1:7 has "discipline" for a Greek word (sophronismos) meaning "sobering"; in 2Ti 3:16 margin, for Greek paideia, "instruction." In classic Greek paideia means "education," mental culture. Through the influence of the Septuagint, which translates the Hebrew mucar by paideia, the meaning of "chastisement" accompanies paideia in the New Testament. Compare Heb 12:5,7,8,11.
→ Of armies, for disobedience of orders Jos 7:10-26; Jud 21:5-12
→ See ARMIES
→ CHURCH DISCIPLINE
See CHURCH, DISCIPLINE IN
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
דַּ֫עַת (da`ath) means knowledge, encompassing perception, skill, and moral understanding. It is associated with prophetic knowledge and is noted for its divine aspect, particularly in the context of wisdom literature. The entries highlight its use in various forms of knowledge, including discernment and understanding.
דַּ֫עַת n.f. knowledge
knowledge, perception
= skill (in workmanship)
of proph. knowledge
esp. knowledge with moral quality
knowledge possessed by God
esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom
base
H1847 דַּ֫עַת knowledge . . knowledge, perception
. = skill (in workmanship)
. of proph. knowledge
. esp. knowledge with moral quality
. knowledge possessed by God
. esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom
1847 da`ath dah'-ath
from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge),
(un-)awares (wittingly).
see HEBREW for 03045
דַּ֫עַת (da.at) — knowledge.
1) knowledge
1a) knowledge, perception, skill
1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.
שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate
Qal 128 hate
Niph. is hated
Pi. enemy
base
H8130 שָׂנֵא hate
8130 sane' saw-nay'
a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)
hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.
1) to hate, be hateful
1a) (Qal) to hate
1a1) of man
1a2) of God
1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be hated
1c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom
Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vqrmsa
תּוֹכֵחָה (towkechah) refers to rebuke or correction, while תּוֹכַ֫חַת (towkachath) pertains to argument or reproof. Both terms involve verbal expressions of correction or chastisement. The entries emphasize their use in contexts of correction and reasoning, but do not provide specific verse references.
תּוֹכֵחָה n.f. rebuke, correction
base
תּוֹכַ֫חַת n.f. argument, reproof
argument, impeachment, spoken by lips and mouth
reproof, chiding
correction, rebuke
base
H8433a תּוֹכֵחָה rebuke, correction H8433b תּוֹכַ֫חַת argument, reproof . argument, impeachment, spoken by lips and mouth
. reproof, chiding
. correction, rebuke
8433 towkechah to-kay-khaw'
and towkachath {to-kakh'-ath}; from 3198; chastisement;
figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in
defence):--argument, X chastened, correction, reasoning,
rebuke, reproof, X be (often) reproved.
see HEBREW for 03198
תּוֹכֵחָה (to.khe.chah) — rebuke.
rebuke, correction, punishment, chastisement
תּוֹכַ֫חַת (to.kha.chat) — argument.
1) argument, reproof
1a) argument, impeachment
1b) reproof, chiding
1c) correction, rebuke
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
re-buk': As a verb "rebuke" is in the Old Testament the translation of ga`ar and yakhach; another word, ribh, in Ne 5:7, is in the Revised Version (British and American) translated "contended with." "Rebuke" (noun) is most frequently the translation of ge`arah; also in the King James Version of cherpah (Isa 25:8; Jer 15:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "reproach"), and of a few other words signifying reproach, etc. "Rebuker" (mucar, literally, "correction," "chastisement") in Ho 5:2 has the Revised Version margin "Hebrew `rebuke.'" In the New Testament "to rebuke" is most often the translation of epitimao (Mt…
בַּ֫עַר (ba'ar) refers to brutishness or stupidity, often used to describe a foolish person. It is derived from a root meaning 'foot' in a sense of consumption. The term appears in a poetic context, emphasizing a lack of intelligence or base behavior.
בַּ֫עַר n.m. brutishness (only poet.)
base
H1198 בַּ֫עַר
1198 ba`ar bah'-ar
from 1197; properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of
cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid:--brutish (person),
foolish.
see HEBREW for 01197
בַּ֫עַר (ba.ar) — stupid.
brutishness, stupidity, brutish (person)
Adj — AdjHAamsa