Proverbs 16:23

Proverbs 16:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
• New International Version (NIV)The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

Context of Proverbs 16:23

21The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness. 22Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. 24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

Proverbs 16:23 word by word

לֵ֣ב חָ֭כָם יַשְׂכִּ֣יל פִּ֑יהוּ וְעַל־שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• teachethשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• his mouthפֶּהpeh · lip: wordH6310
• and addethיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• learningלֶ֫קַחleqach · teachingH3948
• to his lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:23

• Proverbs 15:28The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
• Proverbs 22:17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.
• Psalms 37:30The godly speak wise words and promote justice.
• Psalms 45:1My heart is stirred by a beautiful song. I say, “I have composed this special song for the king; my tongue is as skilled as the stylus of an experienced scribe.”
• Matthew 12:34Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.
• Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth - He has a wise heart; he speaks as it dictates; and therefore his speeches are all speeches of wisdom.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:23

• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Teach; Teacher; Teaching

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