Proverbs 15:14

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

📖 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 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. 7 And now, O LORD 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 therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a 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 judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
• Ps 119:97 : 97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
• Ps 119:100 : 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
• Prov 1:5 : 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
• Prov 9:9 : 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just 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 Which 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, that 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 daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
• Acts 17:11 : 11 {G1161} These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
• 2 Pet 3:18 : 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.