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 is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases persuasiveness. 22Insight is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. A wise man’s heart teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Pleasant words are honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way 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 15:28A righteous heart thinks before answering, but a wicked mouth blurts out evil things.
• Proverbs 22:17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.
• Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice.
• Psalms 45:1For the music director, according to “Lilies.” Of the sons of Korah, a contemplative song, a love song.
• Matthew 12:34You brood of vipers! How can you who are evil say anything good? For from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
• Colossians 3:16Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to God.

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