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Proverbs 10:19

10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

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In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise.

10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

What does Proverbs 10:19 mean?

Proverbs 10:19 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include רֹב (rôb), דָּבָר (dâbâr), חָדַל (châdal). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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In
the
multitudeרֹבrôb/robe/H7230abundance (in any respect)
of
wordsדָּבָרdâbâr/daw-baw'/H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
there
wantethחָדַלchâdal/khaw-dal'/H2308properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
not
sin:פֶּשַׁעpeshaʻ/peh'-shah/H6588a revolt (national, moral or religious)
but
he
that
refrainethחָשַׂךְchâsak/khaw-sak'/H2820to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
his
lipsשָׂפָהsâphâh/saw-faw'/H8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
is
wise.שָׂכַלsâkal/saw-kal'/H7919to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

Commentary on Proverbs 10:19

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 10:19
re wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. We are here admonished concerning the government of the tongue, that necessary duty of a Christian. 1. It is good to say little, because in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, or sin doth not cease. Usually, those that speak much speak much amiss, and among many words there cannot but be many idle words, which they must shortly give an account of. Those that love to hear themselves talk do not consider what work they are making for repentance; for that will be wanted, and first or last will be had, where there wanteth not sin. 2. It is therefore good to keep our mouth as with a bridle: He that refrains his lips, that often checks himself, suppresses what he has thought, and holds in that which would transpire, is a wise man; it is an evidence of his wisdom, and he therein consults his own peace. Little said is soon amended, Amos v. 13 ; Jam. i. 19 . 20 The tongue of the just

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Job 6:4

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Job 7:11

Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 23:15

Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

Job 23:16

For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

Job 31:23

For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

Jeremiah 17:17

Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

Lamentations 3:17

And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. prosperity: Heb. good

Lamentations 3:39

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? complain: or, murmur

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 10:19.

1 Samuel 13:5

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

Genesis 11:1

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. language: Heb. lip. speech: Heb. words

Genesis 22:16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Job 16:6

Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? what: Heb. what goeth from me?

Joshua 11:4

And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

Judges 7:12

And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

Psalms 19:13

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. the great: or, much

Psalms 36:3

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 10:19 say?

Proverbs 10:19 (King James Version) reads: "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."

Is Proverbs 10:19 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 10:19 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 10:19, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 10:19
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