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Proverbs 16:23

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 16:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
Proverbs 16:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him [thereto].
← Proverbs 16:22Proverbs 16:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Teacheth - Directs him what to speak, and keeps him from speaking foolishly. Addeth - Enables him to speak learnedly and wisely. Proverbs 16:27”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“heart: Pro 15:28, Pro 22:17, Pro 22:18; Psa 37:30, Psa 37:31, Psa 45:1; Mat 12:34, Mat 12:35; Col 3:16 teacheth: Heb. maketh wise Proverbs 16:24”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“23 The heat of the wise maketh his mouth wise, And learning mounteth up to his lips. Regarding השׂכּיל as causative: to put into the possession of intelligence, vid., at Gen 3:6. Wisdom in the heart produceth intelligent discourse, and, as the parallel member expresses it, learning mounteth up to the lips, i.e., the learning which the man taketh into his lips ( Pro 22:18; cf. Psa 16:4) to communicate it to others, for the contents of the learning, and the ability to communicate it, are measured by the wisdom of the heart of him who possesses it. One can also interpret הוסיף as extens. increasing: the heart of the wise increaseth, i.e., spreads abroad learning, but then בּשׂפתיו ( Psa 119:13)…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification