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.
• New International Version (NIV)The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes 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.

Context of Proverbs 15:4

2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. 3The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 5Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

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 12:18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
• Proverbs 16:24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
• Malachi 4:2“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
• Proverbs 3:18Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
• Genesis 3:22Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!”
• 1 Timothy 6:3Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.
• Revelation 2:7“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
• Proverbs 18:8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
• Proverbs 26:22Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
• Psalms 52:2All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.
• Psalms 109:22For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain.

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