Proverbs 15:4

Proverbs 15:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Context of Proverbs 15:4

2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. 5A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. 6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

Proverbs 15:4 word by word

מַרְפֵּ֣א לָ֭שׁוֹן עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים וְסֶ֥לֶף בָּ֝֗הּ שֶׁ֣בֶר בְּרֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A wholesomeמַרְפֵּאmarpê' · healingH4832
• tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• a treeעֵץ‛êts · treeH6086
• of lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
• but perversenessסֶ֫לֶףseleph · crookednessH5558
• a breachשֶׁ֫בֶרsheber shêber · breakingH7667
• in the spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:4

• Proverbs 12:18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Proverbs 16:24Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
• Malachi 4:2But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
• Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
• Genesis 3:22And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
• 1 Timothy 6:3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
• Revelation 2:7Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
• Proverbs 18:8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
• Proverbs 26:22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
• Psalms 52:2You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.
• Psalms 109:22For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life - Here again is an allusion to the paradisiacal tree, חיים עץ ets chaiyim, "the tree of lives."Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4A wholesome tongue - literally, as in the margin, the same word as “sound” in Proverbs 14:30 (see the note). A more literal rendering would be soundness of speech. Tree of life - Compare Proverbs 3:18 note. Breach in the spirit - With the sense of vexation (compare Isaiah 65:14).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life--(Pr 3:18; 11:30). perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language. breach ... spirit--(compare Is 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:4

• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Tree of life
• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility

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