Proverbs 3:35 — Word Study
WLCכָּ֭בוֹד חֲכָמִ֣ים יִנְחָ֑לוּ וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים מֵרִ֥ים קָלֽוֹן׃ פ
BSA◂The wisechâkâm [having spiritual discernment, prudent leaders] will inheritnâchal▸ [take possession of, receive as a legacy] ◂honorkâbôwd [glory, great splendor] ◂but foolskᵉçîyl [stupid, silly, rejecting God] are held uprûwm to shameqâlôwn [dishonor, feelings of disgrace]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כָּ֭בוֹד | honor | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חֲכָמִ֣ים | wise [people] | Adj |
| יִנְחָ֑לוּ | they will inherit | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים | and fools | Conjunction |
| מֵרִ֥ים | [is] lifting up | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular |
| קָלֽוֹן׃ פ | shame | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame. |
| KJV | The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. |
| ASV | The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools. |
| YLT | Honour do the wise inherit, And fools are bearing away shame! |
| WEB | The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools. |
| BBE | The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish. |
Where they part company is כָּבוֹד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction, highlighting the contrast between the wise and the foolish.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectחָכָם
verbנָחַל
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 3:35
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 Contrast Between the Wise and the Foolishgenerated
Proverbs 3:35 presents a clear distinction between the outcomes of the wise and the foolish. The wise, characterized by their spiritual discernment, are promised honor, while fools, who reject wisdom, are destined for shame. This theme of contrasting fates is echoed throughout the surrounding verses, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in one's life choices and the consequences of folly.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 4:8 | Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:30 | Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. |
| 3 | Psalm 73:24 | You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory. |
| 4 | Proverbs 13:8 | Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat. |
| 5 | Psalm 132:18 | I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כָּבוֹד, Ka.Vodgenerated
The noun כָּבוֹד (kabowd) signifies glory and honor, often associated with God's majesty and splendor. It conveys a sense of weightiness and significance, indicating not just external recognition but also the dignity of one's position and reputation.
In this verse, the wise are said to inherit כָּבוֹד, suggesting that their wisdom leads to a lasting legacy of honor. This contrasts sharply with the fate of fools, who are described as being lifted up to shame, highlighting the moral and spiritual consequences of their choices.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meanings presented in Berean Standard Bible, KJV, and ASV, which all convey the idea that the wise will receive honor and fools will face shame.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse comprises two main clauses, each contrasting the outcomes for the wise and the foolish. The first clause centers around the subject חֲכָמִים (wise), with the verb יִנְחָ֑לוּ (they will inherit) leading to the object כָּבוֹד (honor).
The second clause presents the subject כְסִילִ֗ים (fools), with the verb מֵרִ֥ים ([is] lifting up) and the object קָלֽוֹן (shame), illustrating the stark contrast in their respective fates.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew כָּבוֹד is rendered as δόχαν (glory), which maintains the connotation of honor and respect, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
The choice of ἀτιμίαν (dishonor) for קָלוֹן emphasizes the negative consequences of foolishness, reinforcing the moral lesson of the verse.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 3:35 teaches that wise people will receive honor, while foolish individuals will face shame. This verse highlights the importance of wisdom and the consequences of foolishness, encouraging readers to seek understanding and discernment in their lives.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To inherit honor means to receive recognition and respect as a result of one's wisdom and good choices.
Fools are held up to shame because their actions and decisions lead to dishonor and disgrace.
Wisdom leads to a better life by guiding individuals to make sound decisions that result in positive outcomes and respect from others.
We learn that our choices have consequences, and seeking wisdom can lead to a life of honor, while foolishness results in shame.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I seek wisdom to avoid foolishness?
- How can I demonstrate wisdom in my decisions and actions?
- What are some examples of honor that I can pursue in my life?
- How do I respond to situations where I see foolishness in myself or others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse to illustrate the outcomes of wisdom and folly. Their quotes emphasize the moral lessons drawn from this passage.
They will not simply obtain, but inherit. The wicked, again, even though they are exalted, are exalted only so as to have greater dishonour.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
“The wise will inherit honor, etc.” And the Lord says: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14 and 18).Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 3:35 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe wise shall inherit glory,.... The wise are the same with the just and lowly before mentioned, to whom God gives grace, and to these he gives glory.
Read John Gill on Proverbs 3 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 3 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleShall inherit glory; shall enjoy it not only for a season, as wicked men ofttimes do, but as an inheritance, constantly, and to perpetuity. Shame shall be the promotion of fools; instead of that glory which they greedily seek, they shall meet with nothing but ignominy. Or, as it is in the margin, shame exalteth or lifteth up fools, i.e. it makes them manifest and notorious, as this very word is used . Or, as the words lie in the Hebrew text fools take or carry away (as this word is here rendered by divers both ancient and modern translators, and as it is used ,15, and oft elsewhere) shame, to wit, as his proper portion or inheritance; which is here very fitly opposed to the portion or…
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 3 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.Ver. 35. The wise shall inherit glory.] Not have it only, but inherit it - Hoc est, proprio, perfecto et perpetuo iure possidebunt, as Pellican; they shall have it as their proper, perfect, and perpetual right. But shame shall be the promotion of fools.] A fair promotion they come to, but good enough for them, unless they were better. If they attain to high places and preferments, these prove but as high gibbets to bring them to more disgrace in this world, and torment in the next. Some there be that read the text thus: "But shame taketh away the foolish"; that is, it carrieth both them and their hope away…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 3 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(35) Shame shall be the promotion ‘of fools.—That is, dull, stupid people, who despise God’s threatenings (Proverbs 1:32), are distinguished from others by what is a disgrace to them (Philippians 3:19), and so are noticeable only as examples to be shunned by others. (See Note on Proverbs 14:29.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 3 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 35. The wise] The person who follows the dictates of wisdom, as mentioned above, shall inherit glory; because, being one of the heavenly family, a child of God, he has thereby heaven for his inheritance; but fools, such as those mentioned Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 2:22, shall have ignominy for their exaltation. Many such fools as Solomon speaks of are exalted to the gibbet and gallows. The way to prevent this and the like evils, is to attend to the voice of wisdom.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 3 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges35. the promotion] There is force and irony in this rendering, which is retained in R.V. text, whereas the alternative of R.V. margin, fools carry away shame, though it may be thought to preserve the parallelism better, is insipid. Their glory is even now (Philippians 3:19), and in the day when all things become real shall be seen to be, their shame.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 3 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible34, 35. Surely he scorneth the scorners — Stuart connects these two verses together, and renders thus: “When he mocketh the scorners and giveth grace to the humble, the wise shall inherit glory, but
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 3 →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
The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
The wise inherit honor, but he holds fools up to public contempt.
Tyndale line
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.
The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
The wise shall inherite glorie: but fooles dishonour, though they be exalted.
Strictly literal
The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.
Honour do the wise inherit, And fools are bearing away shame!
The wise inherit glory, || And fools are bearing away shame!
The wise shall inherit glory; but fools shall obtain disgrace as their portion.
Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.
From the Latin
The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace.
Simplified
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.
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 agree in their wording for this verse, with all six words matched, indicating a consistent understanding of the text across these traditions.
כָּ֭בוֹד חֲכָמִ֣ים יִנְחָ֑לוּ וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים מֵרִ֥ים קָלֽוֹן׃ פ
6 of the 6 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 3:35
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.
כָּבוֹד (kabowd) refers to concepts of abundance, honour, and glory. It encompasses external splendor, dignity of position, and reputation, as well as the inner nobility of a person. The term can denote both the weightiness of glory and the reverence due to someone. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations.
כָּבוֹד n.m. and f. abundance, honour, glory
abundance, riches
honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
honour, dignity of position
honour, reputation, of character
my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
base
H3519 כָּבוֹד abundance, honour, glory . abundance, riches
. honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
. honour, dignity of position
. honour, reputation, of character
. my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
. honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
. glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
3519 kabowd kaw-bode'
rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from 3513; properly, weight, but
only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or
copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
see HEBREW for 03513
כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glory.
1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance
1a) abundance, riches
1b) honour, splendour, glory
1c) honour, dignity
1d) honour, reputation
1e) honour, reverence, glory
1f) glory
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The Hebrew word חָכָם (*chakam*) means 'wise' and encompasses various aspects of wisdom, including skillfulness in technical work, shrewdness, and ethical understanding. It can refer to a class of learned individuals, including those involved in astrology and magic. The word is derived from a related term, חָכַם (*chakam*), which also relates to intelligence and craftiness.
חָכָם adj. wise
skilful in technical work
wise in the administration of affairs
shrewd, crafty, cunning
pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
prudent
wise, ethically and religiously
base
H2450 חָכָם wise . skilful in technical work
. wise in the administration of affairs
. shrewd, crafty, cunning
. pl. class of learned and shrewd men, incl. astrologers, magicians and the like
. prudent
. wise, ethically and religiously
2450 chakam khaw-kawm'
from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or
artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted),
man).
see HEBREW for 02449
חָכָם (cha.kham) — wise.
1) wise, wise (man)
1a) skilful (in technical work)
1b) wise (in administration)
1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle
1d) learned, shrewd (class of men)
1e) prudent
1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
נָחַל (nachal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to inherit or take possession. It encompasses various aspects of acquiring property, including dividing land and bequeathing inheritance. The entries detail its uses in different grammatical forms, such as Qal for taking possession and Hiphil for giving as an inheritance. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָחַל vb. denom. get or take as a possession
Qal
take possession, inherit
fig. have or get as a possession, property
divide the land for a possession
Pi. divide for a possession
Hithp. possess oneself of land
Hiph.
give as a possession
cause to inherit, give as an inheritance
Hoph. made to possess
base
H5157 נָחַל vb. denom. get or take as a possession
5157 nachal naw-khal'
a primitive root; to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of
descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath,
or (generally) distribute, instate:--divide, have
((inheritance)), take as a heritage, (cause to, give to, make
to) inherit, (distribute for, divide (for, for an, by), give
for, have, leave for, take (for)) inheritance, (have in, cause
to, be made to) possess(-ion).
נָחַל (na.chal) — to inherit.
1) to get as a possession, acquire, inherit, possess
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take possession, inherit
1a2) to have or get as a possession or property (fig.)
1a3) to divide the land for a possession
1a4) to acquire (testimonies) (fig.)
1b) (Piel) to divide for a possession
1c) (Hithpael) to possess oneself of
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to give as a possession
1d2) to cause to inherit, give as an inheritance
1e) (Hophal) to be allotted, be made to possess
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.
כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool
base
H3684 כְּסִיל
3684 kciyl kes-eel'
from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or
silly:--fool(-ish).
see HEBREW for 03688
כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.
fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Conj | N-mp — ConjunctionHC/Aampa
- All men are, without the knowledge of God
- Deny God
Ps 14:1; 53:1
- Blaspheme God
- Reproach God
- Make a mock at sin
- Despise instruction
רוּם (ruwm) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be high or exalted, covering a range of actions such as rising, lifting, and promoting. It can refer to physical elevation, like raising an ark or setting up a throne, as well as figurative exaltation, particularly in relation to God. The word also has a related form, רָמַם (ramam), which means to be wormy.
רוּם vb. be high, exalted, rise
Qal
be high, lit. rock (in fig.)
esp. of י׳
be raised, uplifted
be lifted, rise, of ark
Pō‛lēl
raise, rear, children
cause tree to grow
lift up
exalt, extol, acc. י׳
Pō‛lal be lift up
Hiph.
raise, rear, c. acc., hand
raise poor
lift up voice
(take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone
set up, erect, stone
set on high, throne
lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.
lift up and take away, remove
lift off and present, contribute, offer
Hoph. be taken off from; be abolished
Hithpō‛l. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself
base
[רָמַם] vb. denom. be wormy;—Ex 16:20
ref
H7311a רוּם be high, exalted, rise .. . be high, lit. rock (in fig.)
. esp. of י׳
. be raised, uplifted
. be lifted, rise, of ark
.. . raise, rear, children
. cause tree to grow
. lift up
. exalt, extol, acc. י׳
.be lift up
. . . . raise, rear, c. acc., hand
. raise poor
. lift up voice
. (take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone
. set up, erect, stone
. set on high, throne
. lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.
. lift up and take away, remove
. lift off and present, contribute, offer
. be taken off from; be abolished
. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself
H7311b רָמַם vb. denom. be wormy
7311 ruwm room
a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in
various applications, literally or figuratively):--bring up,
exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be,
lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up,
levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, (X a-)loud, mount up, offer
(up), + presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up,
tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.
רוּם (rum) — to exalt.
1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be high, be set on high
1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted
1a3) to be lifted, rise
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up
1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt
1b3) to exalt, extol
1c) (Polal) to be lifted up
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high
1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove
1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute
1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished
1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself
Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
רָמַם (ra.mam) — be rotten.
(Qal) to be rotten, be wormy
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singularHVhrmsa
קָלוֹן (qalown) refers to concepts of dishonor and shame, encompassing personal disgrace and national ignominy. It is derived from the root meaning associated with disgrace. The entries consistently highlight its negative connotations related to reputation and honor.
קָלוֹן n.m. ignominy, dishonour
base
H7036 קָלוֹן ignominy, dishonour
7036 qalown kaw-lone'
from 7034; disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda:--
confusion, dishonour, ignominy, reproach, shame.
see HEBREW for 07034
קָלוֹן (qa.lon) — dishonor.
1) shame, disgrace, dishonour, ignominy
1a) ignominy (of nation)
1b) dishonour, disgrace (personal)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
sham (bosh, "to be ashamed," bosheth, "shame," qalon; aischune, "ignominy," atimia, "dishonor," and other words): An oft-recurring word in Scripture almost uniformly bound up with a sense of sin and guilt. It is figuratively set forth as a wild beast (Jer 3:24), a Nessus-garment (Jer 3:25), a blight (Jer 20:18), a sin against one's own soul (Hab 2:10), and twice as the condensed symbol of Hebrew abomination--Baal (Jer 11:13 margin; Ho 9:10 margin; see ISH-BOSHETH). It is bracketed with defeat (Isa 30:3), reproach…
