He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

PROVERBS 15:32KJV
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Proverbs 15:32 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 15:32 mean?

Proverbs 15:32 presents correction as something that affects the person who receives it. In the KJV’s sharp wording, rejecting instruction shows disregard for one’s own life, while listening to reproof leads to understanding.

The proverb speaks in the voice of a teacher offering general wisdom. Its two halves place refusal and listening side by side. “Reproof” is correction that points out a fault, rather than instruction on a new subject.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 15:32

  • “soul” — נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh): This word can refer to a person’s life or self. Here, “his own soul” can be understood as the person himself, not simply a part of him.
  • “understanding” — לֵב (lev): This word often means “heart,” including the inner place of thought and judgment. The KJV’s “understanding” brings out its connection to sound thinking in this verse.
  • “getteth” — קָנָה (qanah): This word can mean to acquire or gain something. The wording pictures understanding as something a person gains through listening to correction.

Why Proverbs 15:32 matters

  • The verse treats listening as more than merely hearing sounds. The contrast between “refuseth instruction” and “heareth reproof” gives “heareth” the sense of paying attention to correction.
  • The verse uses unusually strong language for refusal. “Despiseth his own soul” describes rejection of instruction as disregard for oneself, not merely disagreement with the person giving it.
  • The concern with correction continues from the preceding verse. Proverbs 15:31 also speaks of the ear that hears reproof, while verse 32 draws a direct contrast between accepting and refusing it.

Where else these words appear

“refuseth” Hebrew H6544 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 5:4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
  • Leviticus 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
  • Proverbs 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

“reproof” Hebrew H8433 · used in 28 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
  • Proverbs 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
  • Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

“instruction” Hebrew H4148 · used in 50 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:2 And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,
  • Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
  • Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

“despiseth” Hebrew H3988 · used in 69 verses

  • Leviticus 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
  • Job 30:1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
  • Isaiah 41:9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.