Proverbs 16:28

16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. An: Heb. A man of Belial

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. soweth: Heb. sendeth forth

KJV

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A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

A fraudulent man sows strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends.

16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

What does Proverbs 16:28 mean?

Proverbs 16:28 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include תַּהְפֻּכָה (tahpukâh), אִישׁ (ʼîysh), שָׁלַח (shâlach). It connects to 21 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

frowardתַּהְפֻּכָהtahpukâh/tah-poo-kaw'/H8419a perversity or fraud

manאִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

sowethשָׁלַחshâlach/shaw-lakh'/H7971to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

strife:מָדוֹןmâdôwn/maw-dohn'/H4066a contest or quarrel

and

whispererנִרְגָּןnirgân/neer-gawn'/H5372a slanderer

separatethפָּרַדpârad/paw-rad'/H6504to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)

chief

friends.אַלּוּףʼallûwph/al-loof'/H441familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being tame; applied, although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle)

soweth:

Heb.

sendeth

forth

Commentary on Proverbs 16:28

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 16:28

from God, that God would hear his prayers ( ver. 1 , 6 , 7 ), preserve and save him, and be merciful to him ( ver. 2, 3 , 16 ), that he would give him joy, and grace, and strength, and put honour upon him, ver. 4 , 11 , 17 . He pleads God's goodness ( ver. 5 , 15 ) and the malice of his enemies, ver. 14 . In singing this we must, as David did, lift up our souls to God with application. Humble Petitions. 1 Bow down thine ear, O Lord , hear me: for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. 4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 6 Give ear, O Lord , unto my pra

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 7:7

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

Deuteronomy 7:8

But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

1 Samuel 2:9

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Proverbs 4:3

For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

Proverbs 13:5

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 16:1

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. preparations: or, disposings

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 31:1

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. perfect: Heb. peace, peace mind: or, thought, or, imagination

Isaiah 26:4

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: everlasting: Heb. the rock of ages

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 12:26

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

John 17:11

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Romans 9:18 Romans 9:23 Romans 9:24 Romans 15:12 Romans 15:13 Ephesians 1:12 Ephesians 1:13 1 Peter 5:3

Topics

Slander Strife Talebearer

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 16:28.

Genesis 10:5

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

Genesis 13:11

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Genesis 26:31

And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. seeketh: or, procureth

Proverbs 26:20

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Where no: Heb. Without wood talebearer: or, whisperer ceaseth: Heb. is silent

Proverbs 6:14

Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. soweth: Heb. casteth forth

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 16:28 say?

Proverbs 16:28 (King James Version) reads: "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. soweth: Heb. sendeth forth"

Is Proverbs 16:28 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 16:28 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 16:28, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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