Seek godly wisdom, bring joy to those who taught you, and uphold a living testimony that silences criticism.
When Solomon—who is generally believed to have reigned from around 970 to 931 BC—penned the words, “Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me” (Proverbs 27:11), he called for a wisdom that would protect and uplift one’s family and community. The phrase “Be wise” (v.11) implies living with discernment and godly understanding, guiding the reader to make decisions rooted in righteousness and integrity. Solomon, known for his vast wisdom, communicates a fatherly instruction for his “son” (v.11), urging him to choose prudence so that the resulting joy would silence those who criticize or question him.
The verse suggests that a child’s wise conduct can reflect favorably on the parents, providing them with an answer “to him who reproaches me” (v.11). In the biblical culture, parental honor was a significant element of social stability, and wise offspring served as a testimony to the parents’ guidance. Similarly, the New Testament underscores how believers, when living rightly, silence critics and even point others toward Christ (1 Peter 2:12). Choosing a path of wisdom not only blesses parents but also invites God’s favor and vindication in the face of opposition.
By calling upon the son to “make my heart glad” (v.11), Solomon demonstrates how right living can bring relational harmony and offers an abiding legacy of faithfulness. In a broader perspective, this principle resonates with following God’s truth, which Jesus perfectly embodies (John 14:6). Those who align themselves with God’s wisdom highlight His character to the world, just as a loving child honors his parents by living righteously.
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Proverbs 27:11 meaning
When Solomon—who is generally believed to have reigned from around 970 to 931 BC—penned the words, “Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me” (Proverbs 27:11), he called for a wisdom that would protect and uplift one’s family and community. The phrase “Be wise” (v.11) implies living with discernment and godly understanding, guiding the reader to make decisions rooted in righteousness and integrity. Solomon, known for his vast wisdom, communicates a fatherly instruction for his “son” (v.11), urging him to choose prudence so that the resulting joy would silence those who criticize or question him.
The verse suggests that a child’s wise conduct can reflect favorably on the parents, providing them with an answer “to him who reproaches me” (v.11). In the biblical culture, parental honor was a significant element of social stability, and wise offspring served as a testimony to the parents’ guidance. Similarly, the New Testament underscores how believers, when living rightly, silence critics and even point others toward Christ (1 Peter 2:12). Choosing a path of wisdom not only blesses parents but also invites God’s favor and vindication in the face of opposition.
By calling upon the son to “make my heart glad” (v.11), Solomon demonstrates how right living can bring relational harmony and offers an abiding legacy of faithfulness. In a broader perspective, this principle resonates with following God’s truth, which Jesus perfectly embodies (John 14:6). Those who align themselves with God’s wisdom highlight His character to the world, just as a loving child honors his parents by living righteously.