What are the bible proverbs about ignorance? Find out in this article with commentary on each verse.
Introduction
Ignorance is a state of being uninformed about something, and it can have a devastating effect on our lives. The Bible has a wealth of wisdom about the dangers of being ignorant, and these proverbs offer us an invaluable insight into the importance of knowledge and understanding.
In this article, we’ll explore 7 Bible proverbs about ignorance, and how we can apply them to our lives today.
7 Bible proverbs about ignorance
Proverbs 9:6
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Wisdom is personified as a woman in verses 1-5. Wisdom is seen as desirable and generous, offering the invitation of knowledge and understanding to those who seek her. She offers a feast of understanding, knowledge, and insight to those who accept her offer. She stands in stark contrast to the foolishness and ignorance personified by the foolish woman, who offers nothing of value and leads to destruction.
To forsake foolishness is to abandon ignorance and seek wisdom. It is to accept the offer of knowledge, understanding, and insight that wisdom offers. It is to turn away from the path of destruction and choose the path of life instead. It is to choose knowledge and understanding over ignorance and foolishness.
Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Here the proverb contrasts two different characters. The prudent man seems dignified, a man of a few but valuable words. The fool, who is also ignorant and untrained announces everything that they are thinking, which is not a good thing because this person cannot be trusted with any kind of information. No one wants to be friends with a blabber mouth.
Proverbs 10:3
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
The scoffer, also referred to as a mocker is often portrayed in the book of proverbs as a fool who does not take advice from other people and cannot be persuaded. This person cannot learn anything from anyone and he is so arrogant that he thinks he is superior. Such a person is ignorant and foolish, and everyone who is proud will eventually fall.
Proverbs 30:2
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
This proverb is written by the prophet Agur. He was a wise instructor who saw himself as ignorant compared to the wisdom of God. This is a great man of God who is humbling himself before God and admitting how ignorant he is before God. Any man who even thinks has an ounce of wisdom has nothing compared to God’s wisdom. The best way to get wisdom is to humble yourself before God and admit that you lack understanding. All great men in the Bible had wisdom. Solom is said to be the wisest of them all. He humbled himself and asked for wisdom. In return, he got more than he ever imagined, wealth beyond measure. Imagine if he had been an ignorant king. He would have lost all that his father David had worked so hard to build.
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Again this is a typical proverb where there is comparison or contrast. Here is a comparison between the wise man and an ignorant man. The wise man is cautious. He reads signs of impending evil and prepares himself for it, he protects himself. However, the ignorant man, that is, the simple man, just glides through life carelessly and falls head-first into trouble. The ignorant man does not exercise caution for in his foolish simple mind, he does not look ahead. The mind of the ignorant is so limited he cannot look beyond the present, that is why he can easily fall into the traps of this world.
Proverbs 19:2
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
It’s important to have knowledge, that means research before you do anything and have enough information. Ignorance and rushing into something can destroy whatever plans you may have for the future. If you are starting a business, this verse advises you to do your homework and take your time otherwise you will lose everything. Speed will not accomplish much but may actually lead to your demise.
Proverbs 14:18
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Folly means foolishness. And in the Bible, a foolish person does not fear God and opposes religion. A fool is careless and proud. This is the inheritance of the ignorant, stupidity, arrogance, mindlessness and ungodliness. The prudent will inherit far much better, a crown of knowledge which is the wisdom of God.
Conclusion
The Bible does not excuse ignorance. It is the duty of every person to seek knowledge and wisdom. When you have knowledge, you are careful in all your decision-making. Ignorance leads to negative outcomes. Nothing good ever comes out of ignorance. It destroys people and their plans. A plan made by an ignorant person will fail. The Bible warns us of living a life of ignorance, and carelessness like there is no God. When you live like there is no God, you are unaccountable to no one. An unaccountable man lives a negligent life.
