English Standard Version
Proverbs 17:27
27Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:27 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
- New International Version (NIV)The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
Context of Proverbs 17:27
25A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:27 word by word
חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ אֲ֭מָרָיו יוֹדֵ֣עַ דָּ֑עַת יְקַר ר֝֗וּחַ אִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- He that hathיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
- sparethחָשַׂךְchâώak · to withholdH2820
- his wordsאֵמֶר'êmer · wordH561
- a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- of understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
- is of an excellentקַרqar · coolH7119
- is of an excellentיָקָרyâqâr · preciousH3368
- spiritרוּחַrûach · spirit: temperH7307
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:27
- Proverbs 10:19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
- Proverbs 15:28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
- James 1:19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
- James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
- Proverbs 16:32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
- Ecclesiastes 9:17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
- James 3:18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:27
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27Better, A man of calm (or noble) spirit is a man of understanding.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-28Verses 27-28 A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 27-2827-28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:27
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries