A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

PROVERBS 1:5KJV
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Proverbs 1:5 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 1:5 mean?

Proverbs 1:5 presents wisdom as something a person can continue to develop. A person who is already wise listens and gains further instruction, while someone with understanding acquires sound guidance for making decisions.

The two halves of the verse describe the same kind of person from slightly different angles: one is called wise, the other understanding. After verse 4 mentions the inexperienced and the young, verse 5 shows that the sayings also have something to offer those who already know much.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 1:5

  • “learning” — לֶקַח (leqaḥ): This word can mean instruction or something learned. Here, “increase learning” points to gaining more of what teaching offers.
  • “counsels” — תַּחְבֻּלוֹת (taḥbulot): This word often carries the sense of guidance or sound plans. The phrase “wise counsels” suggests practical direction for choosing a course of action.

Why Proverbs 1:5 matters

  • The verse describes listening as a mark of wisdom, not merely something beginners do. Its subject is already “a wise man” when he hears.
  • “Wise counsels” points toward using understanding in decisions. The phrase suggests guidance for navigating situations, not just collecting facts.
  • The verse helps explain who can benefit from the sayings introduced in this passage. Alongside the young person mentioned in verse 4, verse 5 includes someone who already has understanding.

Where else these words appear

“counsels” Hebrew H8458 · used in 6 verses

  • Job 37:12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
  • Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
  • Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

“learning” Hebrew H3948 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
  • Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
  • Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

“attain” Hebrew H7069 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Joshua 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
  • Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

“wise” Hebrew H2450 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
  • Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.