Pride that refuses correction breeds isolation and ultimately invites calamity.
“Proud, Haughty, ‘Scoffer,’ are his names, Who acts with insolent pride” (v.24). This proverb describes a person so consumed by arrogance that he becomes blind to the wisdom of others. In Hebrew culture, names often reveal character, so to bear these titles—proud, haughty, scoffer—means to embody an attitude that scorns correction. Such a spirit contrasts sharply with the humility God desires in His people (Isaiah 66:2).
Acting “with insolent pride” suggests a deliberate stance of rebellion against God’s principles. Rather than seeking harmony or wisdom, the scoffer’s heart exalts itself above all else. In other passages of Scripture, pride precedes destruction—a warning repeated throughout the Bible (Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6). Living in this elevated sense of self robs the proud of teachability and invites relational strife, as arrogance rarely cooperates with the gentle counsel of others.
This verse encourages God’s people to examine their attitudes, carefully rooting out pride. Where humility opens space for gratitude and growth, haughtiness insists on self-rule. True wisdom emerges when we submit our ambitions to God’s authority, allowing Him to shape our character, refine our hearts, and guide our steps along the path of righteousness.
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Proverbs 21:24 meaning
“Proud, Haughty, ‘Scoffer,’ are his names, Who acts with insolent pride” (v.24). This proverb describes a person so consumed by arrogance that he becomes blind to the wisdom of others. In Hebrew culture, names often reveal character, so to bear these titles—proud, haughty, scoffer—means to embody an attitude that scorns correction. Such a spirit contrasts sharply with the humility God desires in His people (Isaiah 66:2).
Acting “with insolent pride” suggests a deliberate stance of rebellion against God’s principles. Rather than seeking harmony or wisdom, the scoffer’s heart exalts itself above all else. In other passages of Scripture, pride precedes destruction—a warning repeated throughout the Bible (Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6). Living in this elevated sense of self robs the proud of teachability and invites relational strife, as arrogance rarely cooperates with the gentle counsel of others.
This verse encourages God’s people to examine their attitudes, carefully rooting out pride. Where humility opens space for gratitude and growth, haughtiness insists on self-rule. True wisdom emerges when we submit our ambitions to God’s authority, allowing Him to shape our character, refine our hearts, and guide our steps along the path of righteousness.