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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

Context of Proverbs 16:23

21The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. 22Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. 24Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it 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 weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
• Proverbs 22:17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
• Psalms 37:30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
• Psalms 45:1My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
• Matthew 12:34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
• Colossians 3:16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

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