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Proverbs 13:15

13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

KJV

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Good understanding wins favor; but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Good understanding gives favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.

13:16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. layeth: Heb. spreadeth

What does Proverbs 13:15 mean?

Proverbs 13:15 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include טוֹב (ṭôwb), שֶׂכֶל (sekel), נָתַן (nâthan). It connects to 12 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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Goodטוֹבṭôwb/tobe/H2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
understandingשֶׂכֶלsekel/seh'-kel/H7922intelligence; by implication, success
givethנָתַןnâthan/naw-than'/H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
favour:חֵןchên/khane/H2580graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
but
the
wayדֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
of
transgressorsבָּגַדbâgad/baw-gad'/H898to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
is
hard.אֵיתָןʼêythân/ay-thawn'/H386permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

Commentary on Proverbs 13:15

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 13:15
is hard. If we compare not only the end, but the way, we shall find that religion has the advantage; for, 1. The way of saints is pleasant and agreeable: Good understanding gains favour with God and man; our Saviour grew in that favour when he increased in wisdom. Those that conduct themselves prudently, and order their conversation aright in every thing, that serve Christ in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, are accepted of God and approved of men, Rom. xiv. 17, 18 . And how comfortably will that man pass through the world who is well understood and is therefore well accepted! 2. The way of sinners is rough and uneasy, and, for this reason, unpleasant to themselves, because unacceptable to others. It is hard, hard upon others, who complain of it, hard to the sinner himself, who can have little enjoyment of himself while he is doing that which is disobliging to all mankind. The service of sin is perfect slavery, and the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that are the products of the curse. Sinners labour in the very fire. 16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

2 Samuel 8:15

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

1 Kings 3:6

And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. mercy: or, bounty

1 Kings 3:28

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. in him: Heb. in the midst of him

1 Kings 9:4

And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

1 Kings 15:5

Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Isaiah 11:2

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Zechariah 11:15

And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

Acts 13:22

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

2 Corinthians 3:6

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. giveth life: or, quickeneth

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Topics

Sin (1)

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 13:15.

Genesis 18:7

And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

Genesis 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. pleasant: Heb. a desire

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 13:15 say?

Proverbs 13:15 (King James Version) reads: "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard."

Is Proverbs 13:15 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 13:15 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

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As you read Proverbs 13:15, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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