Proverbs 19:29 — Word Study
WLCנָכ֣וֹנוּ לַלֵּצִ֣ים שְׁפָטִ֑ים וּ֝מַהֲלֻמ֗וֹת לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃
BSAJudgmentsshepheṭ [sentences or acts of judgment, divine decisions] are preparedkûwn■ [established, set up] for mockerslûwts [scorners, those who scoff or scorn] and beatingsmahălummâh [blows, physical strikes, flogging] for the backsgêv [the midst, central part] of foolskᵉçîyl [the stupid, silly, or those who reject God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נָכ֣וֹנוּ | they are prepared | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person common plural |
| לַלֵּצִ֣ים | for mockers | Preposition |
| שְׁפָטִ֑ים | judgments | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וּ֝מַהֲלֻמ֗וֹת | and blows | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| לְגֵ֣ו | for [the] back of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| כְּסִילִֽים׃ | fools | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. |
| KJV | Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. |
| ASV | Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools. |
| YLT | Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools! |
| WEB | Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools. |
| BBE | Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish. |
Where they part company is כְּסִילִֽים — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a conjunction and a noun phrase, clearly presenting the consequences for both mockers and fools.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשֶׁפֶט
verbכּוּן
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 19:29
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 — Consequences of Mockery and Foolishnessgenerated
Proverbs 19:29 illustrates the serious consequences of mockery and foolishness. The verse emphasizes that judgments are prepared for those who scorn wisdom, while physical punishments await those who act foolishly. This theme resonates throughout the book of Proverbs, which frequently contrasts the wise and the foolish, urging readers to choose wisdom and understanding over scorn and folly.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 3:34 | He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble. |
| 2 | Proverbs 9:12 | If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences. |
| 3 | Isaiah 28:22 | So now, do not mock, or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land. |
| 4 | Isaiah 29:20 | For the ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who look for evil will be cut down— |
| 5 | Acts 13:40–41 | Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָכ֣וֹנוּ, na.Kho.nugenerated
The verb כּוּן (kuwn) means to establish or prepare, indicating that judgments are not arbitrary but are set up deliberately. This verb appears in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of being ready and firm in decisions, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
In this verse, the Niphal form indicates that the judgments are prepared for the mockers, highlighting a passive construction where the focus is on the action being done to them rather than by them.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses prepared for נָכ֣וֹנוּ. The KJV and ASV also use judgments in a similar manner, maintaining the sense of divine decisions.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of כְּסִילִֽים. The BSB, KJV, and others use fools, while the FBV opts for the stupid, indicating a slightly different nuance in understanding foolishness.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main finite verb is נָכ֣וֹנוּ, they are prepared, which governs the entire verse. It is followed by two noun phrases: שְׁפָטִ֑ים (judgments) and מַהֲלֻמ֗וֹת (blows), each describing what is prepared for the subjects mentioned.
The structure emphasizes the consequences of actions, with the judgments set for mockers and the blows for fools, creating a parallelism that highlights the severity of both outcomes.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָכ֣וֹנוּ as ἑτοιμάζονται, which conveys a similar sense of preparation. This choice reinforces the idea that divine judgments are preordained.
For כְּסִילִֽים, the LXX uses ἀφρόνων, which emphasizes a lack of understanding, aligning with the Hebrew's connotation of foolishness.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 19:29 tells us that mockers will face judgments and fools will receive beatings. This verse emphasizes that there are serious consequences for those who scorn wisdom and act foolishly.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that those who mock wisdom will face consequences, as their actions lead to divine judgment.
Fools, who reject wisdom, face physical punishment as a consequence of their foolish actions.
This verse underscores the contrast between wisdom and folly, a central theme in Proverbs, warning against the dangers of mockery and foolishness.
We learn that our actions have consequences, and that embracing wisdom leads to better outcomes than mocking or acting foolishly.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen the consequences of mockery in my own life or in others?
- How can I seek wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of foolishness?
- What does it mean to me personally that judgments are prepared for mockers?
- How can I encourage others to choose wisdom over folly in their decisions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The commentary from Bede discusses the implications of this verse, focusing on the judgments awaiting those who mock divine authority.
Judgments are prepared for scoffers, etc. Even if the reprobates, as has been said before, mock the divine judgment of either command or threat, nonetheless, the judgments of damnation prepared for them await, which,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 19:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleJudgments are prepared for scorners,.... Either by the civil magistrate, or by the Lord, and indeed by both; and if they miss the one, they will certainly meet the other; though they mock at present
Read John Gill on Proverbs 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryJudgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. Judgments are prepared for scorners - even as they 'scorned judgment' (Proverbs 19:28.) Righteous retribution in kind.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePrepared, either by men, or at least by God; although they: be deferred for a thee, yet they are treasured up for them, and shall infallibly be inflicted upon them.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.Ver. 29. Judgments are prepared for scorners.] For these scorners (that promise themselves impunity) are judgments, not one, but many, not appointed only, but prepared long since, and now ready to be executed.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(29) Judgments are prepared for scorners.—(Comp. Proverbs 19:25.) Fools.—See above on Proverbs 1:22.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 29. Stripes for the back of fools.] Profane and wicked men expose themselves to the punishments denounced against such by just laws. Avoid, therefore, both their company and their end.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 19 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible29. Judgments are prepared for scorners — This may relate to the preceding proverb, and threaten the punishment due to the crimes of those who have no regard for truth and justice. Compare Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 26:3.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 19 →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
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools.
Tyndale line
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
But iudgements are prepared for the scorners, and stripes for the backe of the fooles.
Strictly literal
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.
Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
Judgments have been prepared for scorners, || And stripes for the back of fools!
Punishments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Condemnation is ready for mockers and flogging for the backs of fools.
From the Latin
Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of fools.
Simplified
Punishment is ready for those who mock; flogging is ready for the backs of the stupid.
Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 in their wording for Proverbs 19:29, with all six words matched. This indicates a consistent understanding of the verse across these ancient texts.
נָכ֣וֹנוּ לַלֵּצִ֣ים שְׁפָטִ֑ים וּ֝מַהֲלֻמ֗וֹת לְגֵ֣ו כְּסִילִֽים׃
6 of the 6 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 19:29
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.
כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.
[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.
Niph.
be set up, established, fixed
in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
prepare, be ready
pass. be prepared, of judgments
Hiph.
establish, set up
fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
provide for, provide, furnish
direct one's face toward
arrange, order
Hoph.
be established, of throne
be prepared for
Po‛lēl.
set up, establish
constitute, make, a man (in womb)
fix, so as to be ready
direct
Po‛lal. be established
Hithpo‛l. be established
base
נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5
ref
H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed
. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
. prepare, be ready
. pass. be prepared, of judgments
. . establish, set up
. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
. provide for, provide, furnish
. direct one's face toward
. arrange, order
. . be established, of throne
. be prepared for
. . set up, establish
. constitute, make, a man (in womb)
. fix, so as to be ready
. direct
. be established
. be established
H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow
3559 kuwn koon
a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand
perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great
variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper
or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,
fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,
ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),
provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,
fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very
deed.
כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.
: prepare/direct
1) to be firm, be stable, be established
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed
1a1a) to be firmly established
1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined
1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)
1a3) to prepare, be ready
1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish
1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)
1b4) to arrange, order
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be established, be fastened
1c2) to be prepared, be ready
1d) (Polel)
1d1) to set up, establish
1d2) to constitute, make
1d3) to fix
1d4) to direct
1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared
1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person common pluralHVNp3cp
לִיץ (luwts) means to scorn or mock, with various forms indicating actions like deriding or acting as a scorner. It can also refer to interpreting language or serving as an ambassador. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, including boasting and showing arrogance.
[לִיץ] vb. scorn
Qal scorn
Hiph.
deride
Pt. interpreter
Po‛lel scorners
Hithp. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker
base
H3887 [לִיץ] scorn .scorn
. . deride
. Pt. interpreter
.scorners
. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker
3887 luwts loots
a primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff;
hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to
interpret, or (generally) intercede:--ambassador, have in
derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful),
teacher.
לִיץ (luts) — to mock.
1) to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to boast
1a2) to scorn
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to mock, deride
1b2) to interpret (language)
1b2a) interpreter (participle)
1b2b) ambassador (fig.)
1c) (Hithpalpel) to be inflated, scoff, act as a scorner, show oneself a mocker
Also means: la.tsats (לָצַץ "to scorn" H3945)
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aampa
שֶׁ֫פֶט (shephet) means 'judgment' and refers to a sentence or act of judgment. It is derived from the root word found in H8199, emphasizing its connection to the concept of infliction. The term appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, primarily focusing on legal or moral decisions.
[שֶׁ֫פֶט] n.m. judgment
base
H8201 [שֶׁ֫פֶט] judgment
8201 shephet sheh'-fet
from 8199; a sentence, i.e. infliction:--judgment.
see HEBREW for 08199
שֶׁ֫פֶט (she.phet) — judgment.
judgment, act of judgment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
→ On the serpent Ge 3:14,15
→ Eve Ge 3:16
→ Adam Ge 3:17-19
→ Cain Ge 4:11-15
→ The Antediluvians Ge 6:7
→ Sodomites Ge 19:23-25
→ Egyptians, the plagues and overthrow Ex 7:14
→ Nadab and Abihu Le 10:1-3
→ Miriam Nu 12:1-15
→ Upon the Israelites
For worshiping Aaron's calf Ex 32:35
מַהֲלֻמֿוֹת (mahalummah) refers to strokes or blows, indicating a physical impact. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to strike' and is used in the context of various forms of blows. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to physical strikes.
מַהֲלֻמֿוֹת n.f.pl. strokes, blows
base
H4112 מַהֲלֻמֿוֹת, מַהֲלֻמָּה
4112 mahalummah mah-hal-oom-maw'
from 1986; a blow:--stripe, stroke.
see HEBREW for 01986
מַהֲלֻמֿוֹת (ma.ha.lum.mah) — blow.
strokes, blows
Conj | N-fp — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Ncfpa
גֵּו (gev) primarily means 'back' and 'midst.' It is derived from roots that suggest a connection to the body and centrality. The word appears in contexts that emphasize location or position, including a reference in Job 30:5. The Aramaic equivalent is noted as גַּו (gav), meaning 'midst.'
ref
H1460a גֵּו back H1460b גֵּו midst
1460 gev gave
from 1342 (corresponding to 1354); the back; by analogy, the
middle:--+ among, back, body.
see HEBREW for 01342
see HEBREW for 01354
גֵּו (gev) — back.
the back, back
גֵּו (gev) — midst.
midst
Aramaic equivalent: gav (גַּו "midst" H1459)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.
כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool
base
H3684 כְּסִיל
3684 kciyl kes-eel'
from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or
silly:--fool(-ish).
see HEBREW for 03688
כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.
fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Adj — AdjHAampa
- All men are, without the knowledge of God
- Deny God
Ps 14:1; 53:1
- Blaspheme God
- Reproach God
- Make a mock at sin
- Despise instruction