Proverbs 15:14

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת *ופני **וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

Transliteration

Lēḇ nāḇôn yəḇaqqēš-dāʿat ûp̄î ḵəsîlîm yirʿeh ʾiwwelet

Grammar Details

• *Lēḇ*: noun, masculine singular - heart
• *nāḇôn*: niphal participle, masculine singular - understanding/discerning
• *yəḇaqqēš*: piel imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - seeks/pursues
• *dāʿat*: noun, feminine singular - knowledge
• *ûp̄î*: conjunction + noun, masculine singular construct - but mouth of
• *ḵəsîlîm*: noun, masculine plural - fools
• *yirʿeh*: qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - feeds on/grazes on
• *ʾiwwelet*: noun, feminine singular - folly/foolishness

Word Meanings

• *Lēḇ nāḇôn*: understanding heart/discerning mind
• *yəḇaqqēš-dāʿat*: seeks knowledge/pursues understanding
• *ûp̄î ḵəsîlîm*: but mouth of fools/yet speech of foolish
• *yirʿeh*: feeds on/grazes on/consumes
• *ʾiwwelet*: folly/foolishness/stupidity

Referenced Verses

• 1 Kgs 3:6-9 : 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great lovingkindness, 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 lovingkindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O Jehovah my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern justice; 12 behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
• Ps 119:97 : 97 MEM. Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
• Ps 119:100 : 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.
• Prov 1:5 : 5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
• Prov 9:9 : 9 Give [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
• Prov 12:23 : 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
• Prov 18:15 : 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
• Isa 30:10 : 10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
• Isa 44:20 : 20 He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
• Hos 12:1 : 1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
• Acts 17:11 : 11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures {G2596} daily, whether these things were so.
• 2 Pet 3:18 : 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] the glory both now and for {G2250} ever. Amen.