Proverbs 18:4

Proverbs 18:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
• New International Version (NIV)The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Context of Proverbs 18:4

2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. 3Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. 5It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. 6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.

Proverbs 18:4 word by word

מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים דִּבְרֵ֣י פִי־אִ֑ישׁ נַ֥חַל נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ מְק֣וֹר חָכְמָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• of a man’sאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• deepעָמֹק‛âmôq · deepH6013
• watersמַיmayim · waterH4325
• the wellspringמָקוֹרmâqôr mâqôr · fountainH4726
• of wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• a flowingנָבַעnâba‛ · to bubbleH5042
• brookנַ֫חַלnachal nachlâh nachălâh · torrent: riverH5158

Cross-references for Proverbs 18:4

• Proverbs 10:11The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
• Proverbs 13:14The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
• Proverbs 16:22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
• Proverbs 20:5Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.
• Matthew 12:34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
• John 4:14But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
• John 7:38Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
• Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
• Colossians 4:6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
• Psalms 78:2for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

Commentaries on Proverbs 18:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4The words of a man's mouth - That is, the wise sayings of a wise man are like deep waters; howsoever much you pump or draw off, you do not appear to lessen them. The well-spring of wisdom - Where there is a sound understanding, and a deep, well-informed mind, its wisdom and its counsels are an incessant stream, חכמה מקור mekor chochmah, "the vein of wisdom," ever throwing out its healthy streams: but חיים מקור mekor chaiyim, "the vein of Lives," is the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The parallelism of the two clauses is probably one of contrast. If so, the proverb is a comparison between all teaching from without and that of the light within. “The words of a man‘s mouth” are dark as the “deep waters” of a pool, or tank (“deep waters” being associated in the Old Testament with the thought of darkness and mystery; compare Proverbs 20:5; Psalm 69:2; Ecclesiastes 7:24); but “the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook,” bright and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Words reflect a person's character, like water springs from the earth (see also Proverbs 10:20; 12:23; 16:23; compare James 3:10–12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 18:4

• Quotations and Allusions
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Brother
• Contention
• Innermost
• Offend
• Slothful
• Snare
• Stick
• Waster
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 18

• 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