Posted by Jeff Short on August 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
– Proverbs 16:27
The figure of digging, i.e., digging a pit, is often used for the plotting of evil (Proverbs 26:27). Digging
evil also provides a contrast to the figure of searching for wisdom like buried treasure (Proverbs 2:4), so it is necessarily opposite of seeking wisdom. The
burning fire in his
lips describes the wicked use of the tongue to spread strife (Proverbs 26:20-21; 30:33). The figure is also used to describe deceitful speech (Proverbs 26:23). This proverb informs of the marks of the ungodly, or thoroughly wicked man, whose lips hide “seven abominations in his heart” (Proverbs 26:24-26).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
– Proverbs 16:24
The word for
pleasant means agreeable and even beautiful. Such words are compared here to honey, which is sweet to the taste and also nourishing to the body. Well spoken words of wisdom differ from flattery. Flattery sounds good, so it might be said to be sweet to the taste but ends bitterly (Proverbs 5:3-4). The contrast of the effects of words is made directly elsewhere in Proverbs (Proverbs 12:18; 15:26). This proverb speaks specifically to the blessing of wise speech (Proverbs 15:23; 23:16; 25:11-12; 27:9). Wisdom is of great value because it is not only aesthetically pleasing but soul nourishing and life saving (Proverbs 24:13-14).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
– Proverbs 16:23
The use of
heart here refers to the mind, as is common in Proverbs. The first phrase means that wisdom informs and constrains speech. Wise speech is a mark of a wise heart (Proverbs 15:28). The word for
learning includes the idea of persuasion. This proverb is akin to verse 21 and highlights the worth of listening to wisdom (Proverbs 22:17-18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
– Proverbs 16:21
Being
called prudent means the
wise are recognized for their wisdom. The word for
prudent means discernment and reflects the ability to distinguish things in the mind to arrive at accurate perception and understanding. The prudent are able to understand dark sayings and difficult words (Proverbs 1:5-6). His way is thoughtful and examined, and so he perceives and avoids danger (Proverbs 14:8, 15-16). The word for
sweetness means pleasantness. It could be thought of as eloquence, but since it
increaseth learning, it is more likely something well-stated. The word for
learning means teaching and includes the idea of persuasiveness. The summary truth of the proverb is that men known for wisdom will have influence with their words. They are worth paying attention to (Proverbs 16:23; 1:5; 8:33; 19:20; 22:17; 23:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
– Proverbs 16:13
The word for
righteous means justice and
righteous lips is put for honest speech. A wise king delights, or takes pleasure in truthfulness rather than flattery and bribes (Proverbs 15:27; 28:16; 29:4). The word for
right means straight. Kings and those in authority with any wisdom value honesty in their counselors (Proverbs 14:35; 22:11). By the previous proverb, such kings know that righteousness in their rule establishes their throne and wickedness overthrows it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
– Proverbs 16:10
Verses 10-15 touch on kings and bearing authority. The word for
divine sentence can mean divination, such as is forbidden in Leviticus 19:26. It can also mean the speaking of an oracle in a good sense, and so here refers to the authority of the king’s words. The second phrase is a warning to kings to speak in righteousness in light of the authority of their words. The king is not to speak contrary to wisdom and justice (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
– Proverbs 15:30
The
light of the eyes and a
good report go together in this proverb. The image portrayed is of the cheerful face of one bringing good news. A happy look can denote favor (Proverbs 16:15). The word for
rejoiceth means to brighten. The expression,
maketh the bones fat, means good health and prosperity generally (Proverbs 3:8; 16:24). The point of the proverb is the good effect produced in those who hear good words (Proverbs 25:25). It can be viewed as medicinal, restorative, or even curative (Proverbs 12:25; 17:22). It is a wisdom lesson on the power of words and the right use of them.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth our evil things.
– Proverbs 15:28
This proverb is similar to Proverbs 15:2, but that one speaks of
wise and
fools and this speaks of
the righteous and
the wicked. The terms are not technically synonymous, but can be used for one another naturally because righteousness is a necessary consequence of wisdom, as wickedness is a necessary consequence of folly. The word for
studieth means to meditate or muse. The word for
answer means a response. In the first phrase, the reply of wisdom comes from the
heart, or the mind. Put simply, the wise think before they speak and, therefore, they say better things (Proverbs 15:2; 16:23). By contrast, the
wicked answer with their
mouth rather than their mind. The word for
poureth means to gush forth. Fools are quick to pour out their thoughtless opinions (Proverbs 10:19; 13:16; 29:11, 20; Ecclesiastes 10:12-14).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
– Proverbs 15:26
The word for
thoughts means contrivance, or plan. The plans, or imaginations, of the
wicked are abominable to God (Proverbs 6:16-19; 24:9). The contrasted phrase,
words of the pure, emphasizes God’s knowledge of the thoughts of men. Our hearts are ever open before him (Proverbs 15:11). The word for
pure means clean and
pleasant means agreeable, or delightful. The Lord hates a lying tongue but loves a tongue of truth (Proverbs 6:17; 12:22).
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Proverbs 16:27
Posted by Jeff Short on August 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
The figure of digging, i.e., digging a pit, is often used for the plotting of evil (Proverbs 26:27). Digging evil also provides a contrast to the figure of searching for wisdom like buried treasure (Proverbs 2:4), so it is necessarily opposite of seeking wisdom. The burning fire in his lips describes the wicked use of the tongue to spread strife (Proverbs 26:20-21; 30:33). The figure is also used to describe deceitful speech (Proverbs 26:23). This proverb informs of the marks of the ungodly, or thoroughly wicked man, whose lips hide “seven abominations in his heart” (Proverbs 26:24-26).– Proverbs 16:27
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