Bible/Proverbs/12

Proverbs 12:23

12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

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A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. slothful: or, deceitful

What does Proverbs 12:23 mean?

Proverbs 12:23 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include עָרוּם (ʻârûwm), אָדָם (ʼâdâm), כָּסָה (kâçâh). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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A
prudentעָרוּםʻârûwm/aw-room'/H6175cunning (usually in a bad sense)
manאָדָםʼâdâm/aw-dawm'/H120ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
concealethכָּסָהkâçâh/kaw-saw'/H3680properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
knowledge:דַּעַתdaʻath/dah'-ath/H1847knowledge
but
the
heartלֵבlêb/labe/H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
of
foolsכְּסִילkᵉçîyl/kes-eel'/H3684properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
proclaimethקָרָאqârâʼ/kaw-raw'/H7121to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
foolishness.אִוֶּלֶתʼivveleth/iv-veh'-leth/H200silliness

Commentary on Proverbs 12:23

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 12:23
proclaimeth foolishness. Note, 1. He that is wise does not affect to proclaim his wisdom, and it is his honour that he does not. He communicates his knowledge when it may turn to the edification of others, but he conceals it when the showing of it would only tend to his own commendation. Knowing men, if they be prudent men, will carefully avoid every thing that savours of ostentation, and not take all occasions to show their learning and reading, but only to use it for good purposes, and then let their own works praise them. Ars est celare artem—The perfection of art is to conceal it. 2. He that is foolish cannot avoid proclaiming his folly, and it is his shame that he cannot: The heart of fools, by their foolish words and actions, proclaims foolishness; either they do not desire to hide it, so little sense have they of good and evil, honour and dishonour, or they know not how to hide it, so little discretion have they in the management of themselves, Eccl. x. 3 . 24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful sh

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 9:22

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

Genesis 10:6

And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

Genesis 49:3

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

Exodus 12:12

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. gods: or, princes

Exodus 12:29

And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. dungeon: Heb. house of the pit

Exodus 12:30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

Exodus 13:15

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

Hebrews 11:28

Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Topics

Prudence

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 12:23.

Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. layeth: Heb. spreadeth

Proverbs 14:8

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Genesis 2:19

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Adam: or, the man

Genesis 2:20

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. gave: Heb. called

Genesis 2:23

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Woman: Heb. Isha Man: Heb. Ish

Genesis 3:20

And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Eve: Heb. Chavah: that is Living

Genesis 3:9

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Genesis 4:25

And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. Seth: Heb. Sheth: that is Appointed, or, Put

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 12:23 say?

Proverbs 12:23 (King James Version) reads: "A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness."

Is Proverbs 12:23 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 12:23 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 12:23, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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