Proverbs 12:18

Proverbs 12:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
• New International Version (NIV)The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• English Standard Version (ESV)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Context of Proverbs 12:18

16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.

Proverbs 12:18 word by word

יֵ֣שׁ בּ֭וֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב וּלְשׁ֖וֹן חֲכָמִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃Read the interlinear

• Speaking rashlyיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• Speaking rashlyבָּטָהbâţâ' bâţâh · to speak rashlyH981
• is like a piercingמַדְקָרָהmadqârâh · thrustH4094
• swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• but the tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• of the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• brings healingמַרְפֵּאmarpê' · healingH4832

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:18

• Proverbs 25:18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
• Psalms 52:2Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
• Psalms 57:4My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
• Psalms 59:7See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
• Psalms 64:3who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
• James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
• Revelation 1:16He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
• Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
• Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
• Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
• Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
• Daniel 11:33Those with insight will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by sword or flame, or be captured or plundered.
• Revelation 22:2down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Commentaries on Proverbs 12:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18There is that speaketh - Instead of בוטה boteh, blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have בוטח boteach, Trusting: and instead of כמדקרות kemadkeroth, As the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have במדקרות bemadkeroth, In the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Psa 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives. tongue ... health--by soothing and gentle language.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 12:18

• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Sword
• Vain
• Health

Commentaries on Proverbs 12

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings