Proverbs 21:24 — Word Study
WLCזֵ֣ד יָ֭הִיר לֵ֣ץ שְׁמ֑וֹ ע֝וֹשֶׂ֗ה בְּעֶבְרַ֥ת זָדֽוֹן׃
BSAMockerlûwts [proud and haughty scorner] is the nameshêm [identity, character] of the proudzêd [lifted up in soul] and arrogant manyâhîyr [insolent] of him who actsʻâsâh [works, dealeth] with excessiveʻebrâh [inconsiderate, arrogant] pridezâdôwn [arrogance, wrath]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זֵ֣ד | proud | Adj |
| יָ֭הִיר | arrogant | Adj |
| לֵ֣ץ | [is] mocker | Adj |
| שְׁמ֑וֹ | name his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| ע֝וֹשֶׂ֗ה | [one who] acts | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| בְּעֶבְרַ֥ת | in [the] overflowing of | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| זָדֽוֹן׃ | pride | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride. |
| KJV | Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. |
| ASV | The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride. |
| YLT | Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride. |
| WEB | The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride. |
| BBE | The man of pride, lifted up in soul, is named high-hearted; he is acting in an outburst of pride. |
Where they part company is יָ֭הִיר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a descriptive phrase that elaborates on the subject, providing clarity on the nature of the mocker.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָשָׂה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 21:24
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Nature of the Proudgenerated
Proverbs 21:24 describes the character of a proud and arrogant man, identifying him as a mocker. This verse warns against the dangers of excessive pride, which can lead to scornful behavior. It fits within a larger context that contrasts the wise with the foolish, emphasizing the consequences of prideful actions in daily life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 6:17 | haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, |
| 2 | Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. |
| 3 | Proverbs 18:12 | Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 4 | Proverbs 19:29 | Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. |
| 5 | Esther 3:5–6 | When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָ֭הִיר, Ya.hirgenerated
The word יָהִיר (yahiyr) is an adjective that describes someone who is proud, haughty, or arrogant. It is derived from a root meaning to be elated, indicating a sense of superiority. In this verse, it characterizes the man who is excessively proud, warning against such attitudes.
This term appears in contexts that advise against arrogance, serving as a cautionary descriptor for those who elevate themselves above others. Its usage in Proverbs highlights the negative consequences associated with pride.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has proud for זֵ֣ד and arrogant for יָ֭הִיר, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.
Where others part company with the BSB is in the rendering of זֵ֣ד — lifted up in soul (BBE) captures a nuance that the other translations do not emphasize.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of one main clause with additional phrases describing the mocker. The finite verb ע֝וֹשֶׂ֗ה (acts) anchors the sentence, indicating the action of the proud man.
The structure presents a clear hierarchy, with the subject identified as the mocker, followed by descriptors that elaborate on his pride and arrogance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לֵ֣ץ as λοιμὸς, indicating a scorner or mocker. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the Hebrew term as one who derides others.
The Greek word θρασὺς corresponds to יָ֭הִיר, suggesting a similar connotation of boldness or insolence, reinforcing the theme of pride in this verse.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 21:24 identifies a mocker as a proud and arrogant man who acts with excessive pride. This verse warns against the dangers of pride and scornful behavior, emphasizing the negative consequences of such attitudes.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A mocker is someone who scorns or ridicules others, often displaying arrogance and pride in their behavior.
Pride can lead to arrogance and a disdainful attitude towards others, which is cautioned against in biblical wisdom.
Excessive pride is seen as a precursor to mockery and scorn, which disrupts relationships and leads to negative consequences.
In biblical context, a name reflects a person's identity and character, indicating that the mocker is defined by his pride and arrogance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen pride manifest in my own life or the lives of others?
- How can I guard against becoming a mocker in my attitudes and actions?
- What steps can I take to cultivate humility instead of pride?
- How does understanding the nature of pride help me in my relationships with others?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 21:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleProud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name,.... He shall be called a proud fool, a haughty fellow, a scornful blockhead; he shall get himself an ill name, and be treated with contempt; who dealeth in
Read John Gill on Proverbs 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryProud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 21 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleProud and haughty scorner is his name; instead of that respect and glory which he seeks by such courses, he shall be branded with the title and imputation of an arrogant and scornful person, which is most contemptible and hateful to mankind. Who dealeth in proud wrath; who in the conduct of his affairs and dealings in the world is not governed by reason and justice, but by his own pride and passions.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 21 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 21:24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.Ver. 24. Proud and haughty scorner is his name.] An ill name he gets him, and lies under the common reproach of a proud peevish person. He seeks renown by his rage and revenge, as Lamech that vaunted of his valour this way to his wives; Alexander Pheraeus, who consecrated the javelin wherewith he had slain Polyphron; Caelius, the lawyer, who gloried to be held the most froward and frample (brawler) Roman alive, &c. But God loadeth such a man with disgrace, as here, and gives him his due character. Men also will hate him and despise him for a "son of Belial," as Nabal’ s servants said of him; for a mad…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 21 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(24) Proud and haughty scorner is his name.—See above on Proverbs 1:22.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges24. Proud and haughty scorner] Rather with R.V., A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name; i.e. the name which aptly describes his character. θρασὺςκαὶαὐθάδηςκαὶἀλαζὼνλοιμὸςκαλεῖται, LXX. who dealeth &c.] Rather, He worketh in the arrogance of pride, R.V. The Heb. word here rendered arrogance is rendered over-flowings, Job 40:11, R.V., so that we might translate in unbridled pride.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 21 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible24. Scorner… proud wrath — He that acts with overflowing arrogance might be called a scoffer, an inflated and proud man.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 21 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,” acts with overbearing pride.
Tyndale line
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Proude, hautie and scornefull is his name that worketh in his arrogancie wrath.
Strictly literal
Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, || Who is working in the wrath of pride.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
From the Latin
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
Simplified
A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
The man of pride, lifted up in soul, is named high-hearted; he is acting in an outburst of pride.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with six out of seven words matched between them. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the verse's meaning across these traditions.
זֵ֣ד יָ֭הִיר לֵ֣ץ שְׁמ֑וֹ ע֝וֹשֶׂ֗ה בְּעֶבְרַ֥ת זָדֽוֹן׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 21:24
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זֵד (zed) refers to a quality of arrogance or insolence, describing someone who is presumptuous or proud. The term can function as both an adjective and a noun, indicating arrogant individuals collectively. It is derived from a root meaning to be arrogant, and its usage is consistent across various lexicons.
זֵד adj. insolent, presumptious
base
H2086 זֵד insolent, presumptious
2086 zed zade'
from 2102; arrogant:--presumptuous, proud.
see HEBREW for 02102
זֵד (zed) — arrogant.
1) arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous
1a) the arrogant ones (as n coll pl)
1b) presumptuous (as adj)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
→ See PRIDE
יָהִיר (yahiyr) is an adjective meaning proud, haughty, or arrogant. It is likely derived from a root meaning to be elated. The entries consistently describe this word's connotation of pride and arrogance without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
יָהִיר adj. proud, haughty
base
H3093 יָהִיר
3093 yahiyr yaw-here'
probably from the same as 2022; elated; hence,
arrogant:--haughty, proud.
see HEBREW for 02022
יָהִיר (ya.hir) — proud.
proud, arrogant, haughty
Adj — AdjHAamsa
לִיץ (luwts) means to scorn or mock, with various forms indicating actions like deriding or acting as a scorner. It can also refer to interpreting language or serving as an ambassador. The entries highlight its use in different contexts, including boasting and showing arrogance.
[לִיץ] vb. scorn
Qal scorn
Hiph.
deride
Pt. interpreter
Po‛lel scorners
Hithp. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker
base
H3887 [לִיץ] scorn .scorn
. . deride
. Pt. interpreter
.scorners
. act as a scorner, shew oneself a mocker
3887 luwts loots
a primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff;
hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to
interpret, or (generally) intercede:--ambassador, have in
derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful),
teacher.
לִיץ (luts) — to mock.
1) to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to boast
1a2) to scorn
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to mock, deride
1b2) to interpret (language)
1b2a) interpreter (participle)
1b2b) ambassador (fig.)
1c) (Hithpalpel) to be inflated, scoff, act as a scorner, show oneself a mocker
Also means: la.tsats (לָצַץ "to scorn" H3945)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
עֶבְרָה (*'ebrah*) is a feminine noun derived from the root word for overflow. It encompasses meanings such as outburst, excess, and fury, often relating to intense emotions like anger and arrogance. The entries consistently highlight its association with passionate outpourings, particularly in contexts of rage.
עֶבְרָה n.f. overflow, arrogance, fury
base
H5678 עֶבְרָה overflow, arrogance, fury
5678 `ebrah eb-raw'
feminine of 5676; an outburst of passion:--anger, rage,
wrath.
see HEBREW for 05676
עֶבְרָה (ev.rah) — fury.
1) outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, wrath, arrogance
1a) overflow, excess, outburst
1b) arrogance
1c) overflowing rage or fury
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular constructHR/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
זָדוֹן (zadown) refers to concepts of insolence and presumptuousness, indicating a sense of arrogance or pride. It is derived from the root word meaning arrogance. The entries consistently highlight these themes without significant disagreement.
זָדוֹן n.m. insolence, presumptuousness
base
H2087 זָדוֹן insolence, presumptuousness
2087 zadown zaw-done'
from 2102; arrogance:--presumptuously, pride, proud (man).
see HEBREW for 02102
זָדוֹן (za.don) — arrogance.
pride, insolence, presumptuousness, arrogance
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 18:10,11; Le 26:19; De 8:11-14,17-20; Jud 9:14,15; 1Sa 2:3-5; 1Ki 20:11; 2Ki 14:9,10; 2Ch 25:18,19; Job 11:12; 12:2,3; 13:2,5; 15:1-13; 18:3; 21:31,32; 32:9-13; 37:24; Ps 9:20; 10:2-6,11; 12:4; 18:27; 31:23; 49:11; 52:7; 73:6,8,9; 75:4-6; 101:5; 119:21,69,70,78; 138:6;