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.
• New International Version (NIV)The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
• 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.

Context of Proverbs 16:23

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 16:23 word by word

לֵ֣ב חָ֭כָם יַשְׂכִּ֣יל פִּ֑יהוּ וְעַל־שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃Read the interlinear

• 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 studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
• Proverbs 22:17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
• Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
• Psalms 45:1My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
• Matthew 12:34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
• Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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