Proverbs 24 · Verse 9

Proverbs 24:9

The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Proverbs 24:9, King James Version

Proverbs 24:9 in other translations

BSBA foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men.
WEBThe schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
ASVThe thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
YLTThe thought of folly is sin, And an abomination to man is a scorner.
DARBYThe purpose of folly is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.
BBEThe purpose of the foolish is sin: and the hater of authority is disgusting to others.
WebsterThe thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

What does Proverbs 24:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. Same thought varied.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 The thought of foolishness is sin - זמת אולת חטאת zimmath ivveleth chattath. "The device of folly is transgression;" or, "an evil purpose is sinful;" or, perhaps more literally, "the device of the foolish is sin." It has been variously understood by the versions. "The cunning: of the fool is sin." - Targum. "The imprudent man (or fool, αφρων) shall die in sins." - Septuagint. So the Arabic. The thinkynge of the fool is synne - Old MS. Bible. Fool is here taken for a wicked man, who is not only evil in his actions, but every thought of his heart is evil, and that continually. A simple thought about foolishness, or about sin itself, is not sinful; it is the purpose or device, the harbouring evil thoughts, and devising how to sin, that is criminal.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 24:7-9

A weak man thinks wisdom is too high for him, therefore he will take no pains for it. It is bad to do evil, but worse to devise it. Even the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, and must be repented of. Those that strive to make others hateful, make themselves so.

Read the full comment on Proverbs 24:7-9 →

Proverbs 24:9 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.

זִמַּ֣תzi.Mata plan ofH2154
אִוֶּ֣לֶת'i.Ve.letfoolishnessH200
חַטָּ֑אתcha.Tat[is] sinH2403
וְתוֹעֲבַ֖תve.to.'a.Vatand [is] an abominationH8441
לְאָדָ֣םle.'a.Damto humankindH120
לֵֽץ\׃Letza mockerH3887

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

Cross references for Proverbs 24:9

  • Matthew 15:19

    For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

  • 2 Corinthians 10:5

    Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

  • Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  • Proverbs 29:8

    Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

  • Acts 8:22

    Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

  • Matthew 9:4

    And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

  • Proverbs 24:8

    He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

  • Genesis 6:5

    And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

  • Proverbs 22:10

    Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

  • Matthew 5:28

    But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

  • Jeremiah 4:14

    O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

  • Genesis 8:21

    And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
thought.
8; 23:7; Ge 6:5; 8:21; Ps 119:113; Isa 55:7; Jer 4:14; Mt 5:28; 9:4
Mt 15:19; Ac 8:22; 2Co 10:5
the scorner.
22:10; 29:8

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

Context

  • Proverbs 24:8

    He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

  • Proverbs 24:9

    The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

  • Proverbs 24:10

    If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

Read all of Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El pensamiento del necio es pecado: y abominación á los hombres el escarnecedor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le plan de la folie est péché, et le moqueur est en abomination aux hommes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Das Vorhaben der Narrheit ist die Sünde, und der Spötter ist den Menschen ein Greuel.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		cogitatio stulti peccatum est, et abominatio hominum detractor.