Proverbs 15:23

Proverbs 15:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
• English Standard Version (ESV)To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
• New King James Version (NKJV)A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
• New Living Translation (NLT)Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Context of Proverbs 15:23

21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. 22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! 24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. 25The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

Proverbs 15:23 word by word

שִׂמְחָ֣ה לָ֭אִישׁ בְּמַעֲנֵה־פִ֑יו וְדָבָ֖ר בְּעִתּ֣וֹ מַה־טּֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• hath joyשִׂמְחָהώimchâh · joyH8057
• by the answerמַעֲנֶהma‛ăneh · answerH4617
• of his mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• and a wordדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• in due seasonעֵת‛êth · timeH6256
• how goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:23

• Proverbs 12:14From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
• Proverbs 16:13Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
• Proverbs 24:26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
• Proverbs 25:11Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
• Ephesians 4:29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
• Ecclesiastes 3:1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
• Isaiah 50:4The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
• 1 Samuel 25:32David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:23

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Probably, a special reference to debates in council Proverbs 15:22. They bring before us the special characteristic of the East, the delight in ready, improvised answers, solving difficulties, turning aside anger. Compare the effect on the scribe Mark 12:28.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:23

• Speaking
• Words

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings