Read Proverbs 14 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph:
10:1b-19:9 {p} …
Proverbs 14:6-18 Chiastic Structure
Hebrew has five different words to describe the foolish person, from the most innocent progressing to the most depraved. We saw that the most innocent is the simpleton, followed by the proud fool, followed by the complacent fool. If a complacent fool has not turned from his foolishness, he then descends to a scorning fool.
The Hebrew is from Strong’s H3887 לוץ luwts, meaning, “to scorn.” The ancient pictographs are lamed + vav + tsadey.
lamed ל = the shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
vav ו = the tent peg, thus add, secure, hook
tsadey צ, ץ = the trail, thus a man concealed, journey, chase, hunt
The parable the Hebrew Root Word is telling, is of one who speaks derisively or mockingly as an authority (lamed) whether he is a true authority or not, in order to hook (vav) or ensnare others covertly onto his own path (tsadey).
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful [luwts]. Psa 1:1
“Sitting in the seat” is a Hebrew idiom for authority, and where the West gets its idea of thrones for kings. So a scorning fool is a proselytizer, whether he realizes it or not. He is not content to let others have their own opinions or their own path, he seeks to make converts to his opinions and his path by …
Mocking Virtue and Sin
Fools scoff [luwts] at sin, but among the upright there is favor. Pro 14:9
How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners [luwts] delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Pro 1:22
Arrogantly Causing Strife
A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” [luwts] is his name; he acts with arrogant pride. Pro 21:24
Cast out the scoffer [luwts], and contention will leave; yes, strife and reproach will cease. Pro 22:10
Despising Instruction and Hating Correction
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scorner [luwts] does not listen to rebuke. Pro 13:1
A scorner [luwts] does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise. Pro 15:12
He who corrects a scoffer [luwts] gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Pro 9:7-8
Appearing to be Wise in their Unbelief
A scorner [luwts] seeks wisdom, and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who has discernment. Pro 14:6
The root of scorn is unbelief, and it blocks the scorning fool from finding wisdom.
How can a Scorning Fool be Turned?
Scorners hate to be mocked; they hate receiving what they themselves dish out. But, it shows them that their authority is nothing, and all their scorning is futile in turning others to their path. Getting others to join them makes them feel powerful; rather they must be made to feel isolated in their scoffing.
Surely He scorns [luwts] the scornful [luwts] but gives grace to the humble. Pro 3:34
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff [luwts], you will bear it alone. Pro 9:12
When they commit a crime, they must receive justice required for their crime. Leniency has no effect to turn a scorning fool from their foolishness.
A disreputable witness scorns [luwts] justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. Judgments are prepared for scoffers [luwts] and beatings for the backs of fools. Pro 19:28-29
And while corporal punishment does not turn a scorner, seeing it meted out turns the simple fool to wisdom.
Strike a scoffer [luwts], and the simple will become wary; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. Pro 19:25
When the scoffer [luwts] is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. Pro 21:11
If he does not turn, he is in danger of progressing to the next, worst, and final level of foolishness.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Proverbs 8, The Simple Fool – Christine Miller
Proverbs 10, The Proud Fool – Christine Miller
Proverbs 13, The Complacent Fool – Christine Miller
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