King James Version

What Does Proverbs 3:11 Mean?

Proverbs 3:11 in the King James Version says “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:”

Proverbs 3:11 · KJV

Context

9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

12

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. that getteth: Heb. that draweth out understanding

Read Proverbs 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction. This verse introduces a crucial theme in biblical wisdom: God's loving discipline of His children. It addresses the universal human tendency to resent hardship rather than receive it as divine instruction.

"My son" (בְּנִי/beni) reflects the parent-child framework of Proverbs. Wisdom is transmitted from father to son, representing God's fatherly instruction to His children. This relational context matters—discipline comes from love, not hostility. Hebrews 12:5-11 quotes this verse, explicitly applying it to God's fatherly discipline of believers.

"Despise not" (אַל־תִּמְאָס/al-timas) means don't reject, loathe, refuse, or treat with contempt. The verb conveys active rejection, not passive indifference. Natural human response to hardship is to resent it, question God's goodness, or feel abandoned. This command prohibits such responses.

"The chastening of the LORD" (מוּסַר יְהוָה/musar Yahweh) is God's disciplinary instruction. Musar encompasses correction, discipline, instruction, training—sometimes through rebuke, sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through suffering. It's not arbitrary punishment but purposeful training. Athletes endure rigorous training (discipline) for competition; God trains His children for righteousness.

"Neither be weary" (וְאַל־תָּקֹץ/ve'al-taqots) means don't lose heart, don't become discouraged or impatient. Discipline is often prolonged; the temptation is to grow weary and give up. Hebrews 12:3 warns against "waxing weary and faint in your minds." Perseverance under discipline produces spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4).

"His correction" (בְּתוֹכַחְתּוֹ/betokakhto) means His reproof or rebuke. Tokakhah is verbal correction—God's Word confronting our sin, His Spirit convicting, circumstances revealing our need. God corrects those He loves (Revelation 3:19).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Proverbs was compiled for training Israel's youth in wisdom. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, education was primarily paternal—fathers taught sons trades, morality, and wisdom for living. Proverbs reflects this pedagogical context but grounds wisdom in relationship with Yahweh, not merely pragmatic success.

Israel's history demonstrated God's disciplinary pattern. Deuteronomy 8:5 told Israel: "As a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee." Wilderness wanderings, foreign oppression, exile—these were divine discipline for covenant unfaithfulness. The prophets consistently interpreted national suffering as God's corrective judgment intended to restore His people.

The Exile (586 BC) was Israel's most severe chastening. Prophets like Jeremiah warned that despising God's correction through the prophets would result in judgment. Yet even in exile, Lamentations 3:31-33 affirmed: "The Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Discipline was temporary, purposeful, and rooted in covenant love.

Post-exilic books like Ezra-Nehemiah show Israel learning from discipline, rebuilding with renewed commitment to God's Word. The chastening achieved its purpose—restoration and reformation.

The New Testament extensively develops this theme. Hebrews 12:5-11 quotes Proverbs 3:11-12, teaching that divine discipline proves sonship. Those whom God doesn't discipline are illegitimate, not true children. Paul taught that judgment begins with God's household (1 Corinthians 11:30-32)—God disciplines believers temporally to prevent eternal condemnation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between God's discipline of His children and His judgment of the wicked, and why is this distinction important?
  2. How can we discern whether our suffering is God's loving correction, natural consequences of sin, spiritual attack, or simply living in a fallen world?
  3. What does it mean practically to 'not despise' God's chastening—how should we respond to hardship that may be divine discipline?
  4. Why do we tend to 'be weary' of God's correction, and what spiritual resources help us endure discipline with patience and hope?
  5. How does understanding God's discipline as evidence of His love (rather than rejection) change our perspective on trials and difficulties?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
מוּסַ֣ר1 of 8

“not the chastening”

H4148

properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint

יְ֭הוָה2 of 8

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּנִ֣י3 of 8

“My son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַל4 of 8
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּמְאָ֑ס5 of 8

“despise”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

וְאַל6 of 8
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּ֝קֹ֗ץ7 of 8

“neither be weary”

H6973

to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious

בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ׃8 of 8

“of his correction”

H8433

chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defense)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 3:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 3:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 5:17Revelation 3:19Hebrews 12:5-12Psalms 94:12Isaiah 40:30-311 Corinthians 11:32

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Proverbs 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterProverbs Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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