Proverbs 21:23

21:22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

KJV

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Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. in proud: Heb. in the wrath of pride

What does Proverbs 21:23 mean?

Proverbs 21:23 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שָׁמַר (shâmar), פֶּה (peh), לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Whoso

keepethשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.

his

mouthפֶּהpeh/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

his

tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôwn/law-shone'/H3956the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)

keepethשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.

his

soulנֶפֶשׁnephesh/neh'-fesh/H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

from

troubles.צָרָהtsârâh/tsaw-raw'/H6869tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:

Commentary on Proverbs 21:23

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 21:23

and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God. 2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must keep the mouth by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must keep the tongue also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no corrupt communication. By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble. 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. See here the mischief of pride and haughtiness. 1

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

2 Chronicles 4:9

Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.

Romans 6:5

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 11:17

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; among them: or, for them

Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Topics

Prudence Tongue

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 21:23.

Exodus 12:4

And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

Exodus 23:13

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Exodus 4:10

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day

Genesis 42:21

And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 21:23 say?

Proverbs 21:23 (King James Version) reads: "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

Is Proverbs 21:23 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 21:23 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 21:23, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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