Proverbs 15

This chapter belongs to the collection of "the proverbs of Solomon" that begins at Proverbs 10:1. As in Proverbs 14, most of its verses are two-line sayings that set the righteous against the wicked and the wise against the foolish.

Outline

• Verses 1–7 Many of these sayings concern speech. They contrast a soft answer with grievous words and the tongue of the wise with the mouth of fools, and they declare that the eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching over all people.
• Verses 8–11 The LORD hates the sacrifice and the way of the wicked but delights in the prayer of the upright. Hell and destruction (the place of destruction) lie open before the LORD; how much more, then, the hearts of men.
• Verses 12–17 These verses address gladness and sorrow of heart and teach that it is better to have little with the fear of the LORD, and better to eat a dinner of herbs where there is love.
• Verses 18–23 These verses speak of the one who is slow to anger, the way of the slothful and the way of the upright, the need for counsel and counselors, and the goodness of a word spoken in due season.
• Verses 24–29 These verses speak of the way of life that leads upward, the house of the proud and the border (property boundary) of the widow, the one who hates bribes, and the LORD who hears the prayer of the righteous.
• Verses 30–33 These verses speak of good news and of the ear that heeds reproof, and the chapter closes with the fear of the LORD and humility.

Key Verses

• Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath" — the chapter's signature saying, which teaches that words can either inflame conflict or calm it.
• Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is" — an example of the "better is … than …" form of proverb, teaching that relationships matter more than abundance.
• Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom" — a restatement of the theme of the entire book (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).

People and Places

No specific people or places are named. Instead, types of people appear, such as the righteous, the wicked, the scorner, and the widow, and Sheol (KJV "hell") is used as a term for the realm of the dead. The term in verse 11 that the KJV renders "destruction" (Korean yumyeong) appears as "Abaddon" in the Revised Korean Version (New Revised Edition).

Points for Reflection

• The idea in verse 8 that places the heart and prayer above sacrifice connects with other Old Testament passages such as Micah 6:6–8 and Psalm 51:16–17.
• The teaching on speech and the tongue is often read alongside James 3 in the New Testament.
• The sayings of Proverbs are generally understood as belonging to the style of wisdom literature, which describes general principles of life. Interpreters therefore differ in emphasis on whether verses such as 6 and 27 should be read as promises that hold true in every case.