Bible/Proverbs/16

Proverbs 16:23

16:22 Understanding 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. teacheth: Heb. maketh wise

KJV

Save image

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

What does Proverbs 16:23 mean?

Proverbs 16:23 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include לֵב (lêb), חָכָם (châkâm), שָׂכַל (sâkal). It connects to 12 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
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
the
wiseחָכָםchâkâm/khaw-kawm'/H2450wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
teachethשָׂכַלsâkal/saw-kal'/H7919to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
his
mouth,פֶּהpeh/peh/H6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
and
addethיָסַףyâçaph/yaw-saf'/H3254to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
learningלֶקַחleqach/leh'-kakh/H3948properly, something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer); also (in an active and sinister sense) inveiglement
to
his
lips.שָׂפָהsâphâh/saw-faw'/H8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
teacheth:
Heb.
maketh
wise

Commentary on Proverbs 16:23

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 16:23
Solomon had commended eloquence, or the sweetness of the lips ( v. 21 ), and seemed to prefer it before wisdom; but here he corrects himself, as it were, and shows that unless there be a good treasure within to support the eloquence it is worth little. Wisdom in the heart is the main matter. 1. It is this that directs us in speaking, that teaches the mouth what to speak, and when, and how, so that what is spoken may be proper, and pertinent, and seasonable; otherwise, though the language be ever so fine, it had better be unsaid. 2. It is this that gives weight to what we speak and adds learning to it, strength of reason and force of argument, without which, let a thing be ever so well worded, it will be rejected, when it comes to be considered, as trifling. Quaint expressions please the ear, and humour the fancy, but it is learning in the lips that must convince the judgment, and sway that, to which wisdom in the heart is necessary. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Isaiah 4:2

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. beautiful: Heb. beauty and glory them: Heb. the escaping

Isaiah 42:21

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. it: or, him

Isaiah 45:8

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

1 John 5:21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 16:23.

Exodus 28:3

And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exodus 28:32

And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.

Exodus 31:6

And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

Exodus 39:23

And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

Exodus 9:34

And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Genesis 8:21

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. a sweet: Heb. a savour of rest or, satisfaction for the imagination: or, through the imagination

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 16:23 say?

Proverbs 16:23 (King James Version) reads: "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. teacheth: Heb. maketh wise"

Is Proverbs 16:23 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 16:23 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 16:23, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 16:23
16:22Read all of Proverbs 1616:24