Proverbs 17:28

Proverbs 17:28 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
• New International Version (NIV)Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Context of Proverbs 17:28

26It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest. 27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28 word by word

גַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Even a foolאֱוִיל'ĕvîyl · fool(ish)H191
• when he holdeth his peaceחָרֵשׁchârash · be quietH2790
• is countedחָשַׁבchâshab · to devise: thinkH2803
• wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• he that shuttethאָטַם'âţam · shutH331
• his lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• a man of understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:28

• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
• Job 13:5If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.
• Ecclesiastes 5:3Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
• Ecclesiastes 10:3You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28Even a fool - He is counted wise as to that particular. He may know that he cannot speak well, and he has sense enough to keep from speaking. He is, as to that particular, a wise fool. A man may be golden-mouthed and silver-tongued in eloquence; but to know when and where to speak and to be silent, is better than diamonds. But who that thinks he can speak well can refrain from speaking? His tongue has no rest.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28Is esteemed - Or, “is” (simply). The maxim would imply that silence is in any case good.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-28Verses 27-28 A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 27-2827-28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:28

• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 17

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings