Proverbs 18:7

“A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, etc.] The cause of it; for his contentions, and quarrels, and evil speaking, lawsuits are commenced against him, which bring ruin upon himself and his family now; as well as for his idle and wicked words he will be condemned hereafter, (<401235>Matthew 12:35); there is a world of iniquity in the mouth and tongue of a wicked man, which bring destruction upon himself and others, (<590306>James 3:6,8); and his lips [are] the snare of his soul; from speaking in his own defence, he says things which should not be said, and by which he is entangled yet more and more; he is caught by his own words and condemned by them; or his loquacity, in which he delights, is…”

“The first verse speaks of the immediate, the others of the remote, results of the “fool’s” temper. First, “contention,” then “strokes” or blows, then “destruction,” and last, “wounds.” Proverbs 18:8 Wounds - The word so rendered occurs here and in Proverbs 26:22 only. Others render it “dainties,” and take the verse to describe the avidity with which people swallow in tales of scandal. They find their way to the innermost recesses of man’s nature. return to 'Top of Page'”

“his destruction: Pro 10:8, Pro 10:14, Pro 12:13, Pro 13:3; Ecc 10:11-14 his lips: Pro 6:2; Jdg 11:35; 1Sam. 14:24-46; Mar 6:23-28; Act 23:14-22 Proverbs 18:8”

“7 The mouth of the fool is to him destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul. As Pro 18:6 corresponds to Pro 17:27 of the foregoing group, so this Pro 18:7 corresponds to Pro 17:28. Regarding מחתּה־לּו, vid., Pro 13:3. Instead of פי כּסיל, is to be written פּי־כסיל, according to Torath Emeth, p. 40, Cod. 1294, and old editions. Proverbs 18:8”