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 needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud. 20One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 22Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness. 23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Proverbs 16:21 word by word

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

• wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• in heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• will be calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call toH7121
• understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• And sweetnessמֶ֫תֶקmetheq · sweetnessH4986
• speechשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lip: wordsH8193
• increasesיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• persuasivenessלֶ֫קַחleqach · teachingH3948

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:21

• Proverbs 16:23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
• Proverbs 10:8The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will come to ruin.
• Proverbs 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad,
• 1 Kings 3:12behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.
• Romans 16:19For the report of your obedience has reached everyone; therefore I am rejoicing 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, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.
• Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
• Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.
• Proverbs 27:9Oil and perfume make the heart glad, And a person’s advice is sweet to his friend.
• Psalms 45:2You are the most handsome of the sons of mankind; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.
• Ecclesiastes 12:10The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.
• Isaiah 50:4The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, So that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
• Luke 4:22And all the people were speaking well of Him, and admiring the gracious words which were coming from His lips; and yet they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
• John 7:46The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!”

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