Proverbs 1 · Verse 5

Proverbs 1:5

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Proverbs 1:5, King James Version

Proverbs 1:5 in other translations

BSBlet the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
WEBthat the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
ASVThat the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
YLT(The wise doth hear and increaseth learning, And the intelligent doth obtain counsels.)
DARBYHe that is wise will hear, and will increase learning; and the intelligent will gain wise counsels:
BBE(The wise man, hearing, will get greater learning, and the acts of the man of good sense will be wisely guided:)
WebsterA wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels:

What does Proverbs 1:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 1:5-6
5-6. Such writings the wise, who pursue right ends by right means, will value. learning--not the act, but matter of it. wise counsels--or the art and principles of governing.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 A wise man wilt hear - I shall not only give such instructions as may be suitable to the youthful and inexperienced, but also to those who have much knowledge and understanding. So said St. Paul: We speak wisdom among them that are perfect. This and the following verse are connected in the old MS. and in Coverdale: "By hearyinge the wyse man shall come by more wysdome; and by experience he shall be more apte to understonde a parable and the interpretation thereof; the wordes of the wyse and the darke speaches of the same."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 1:1-6

The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 1:1-6 →

Proverbs 1:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יִשְׁמַ֣עyish.Ma'let him listenH8085
חָ֭כָםCha.khoma prudent [one]H2450
וְי֣וֹסֶףve.Yo.sefand let him increaseH3254
לֶ֑קַחLe.kachinsightH3948
וְ֝נָב֗וֹןve.na.Vonand a discerning [one]H995
תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹתtach.bu.Lotwise directionsH8458
יִקְנֶֽה\׃yik.Nehlet him getH7069

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 1:5

  • Proverbs 12:1

    Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:15

    I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

  • Job 34:10

    Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

  • Job 34:16

    If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

  • Psalms 119:98-100

    Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

  • Job 34:34

    Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:16

    And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

  • 1 Samuel 25:32-33

    And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
wise.
9:9; 12:1; Job 34:10,16,34; Ps 119:98-100; 1Co 10:15
a man.
1Sa 25:32,33; 2Ch 25:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 1:4

    To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

  • Proverbs 1:5

    A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

  • Proverbs 1:6

    To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Read all of Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Oirá el sabio, y aumentará el saber; y el entendido adquirirá consejo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le sage écoutera, et croîtra en science, et l’intelligent acquerra du sens
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Weise wird hören und an Kenntnis zunehmen, und der Verständige wird sich weisen Rat erwerben;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Audiens sapiens, sapientior erit, et intelligens gubernacula possidebit.