Proverbs 16:21

Proverbs 16:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
• New International Version (NIV)The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

Context of Proverbs 16:21

19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant). 20He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener]. 22Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it, But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness. 23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Proverbs 16:21 word by word

לַחֲכַם־לֵ֭ב יִקָּרֵ֣א נָב֑וֹן וּמֶ֥תֶק שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• in heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• shall be calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call toH7121
• prudentבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• and the sweetnessמֶ֫תֶקmetheq · sweetnessH4986
• of the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lip: wordsH8193
• increasethיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• learningלֶ֫קַחleqach · teachingH3948

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:21

• Proverbs 16:23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
• Proverbs 10:8The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction), But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
• Proverbs 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will also be glad;
• 1 Kings 3:12behold, I have done as you asked. I have given you a wise and discerning heart (mind), so that no one before you was your equal, nor shall anyone equal to you arise after you.
• Romans 16:19For the report of your obedience has reached everyone, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
• Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
• Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
• Proverbs 27:9Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.
• Psalms 45:2You are fairer than the sons of men; Graciousness is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.
• Ecclesiastes 12:10The Preacher sought to find delightful words, even to write correctly words of truth.
• Isaiah 50:4The Lord God has given Me [His Servant] the tongue of disciples [as One who is taught], That I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught].
• Luke 4:22And [as He continued on] they all were speaking well of Him, and were in awe and were wondering about the words of grace which were coming from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
• John 7:46The guards replied, “Never [at any time] has a man talked the way this Man talks!”

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:21

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21The words point to the conditions of all true growth in wisdom; and he who has the gift of uttering it in winning speech increases it in himself and others.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. wise in heart--who rightly consider duty. sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:21

• Character
• Prudence
• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Wisely
• Increase
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings