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Proverbs 20:15

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 20:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Proverbs 20:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, let thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for foreigners.
17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.
← Proverbs 20:14Proverbs 20:16 →
← Full Chapter 20 Proverbs Overview

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 contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pro 3:14-16).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A precious jewel - literally, “A vessel of preciousness,” i. e., most precious of all are “the lips of knowledge.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“The lips - But wise speeches are of far greater worth. Proverbs 20:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“but: Pro 3:15, Pro 8:11, Pro 10:20, Pro 10:21, Pro 15:7, Pro 15:23, Pro 16:16, Pro 16:21, Pro 16:24, Pro 25:12; Job 28:12-19; Ecc 12:9-11; Rom 10:14, Rom 10:15; Eph 4:29 Proverbs 20:16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“15 There is indeed gold, and many pearls; But a precious treasure are lips full of knowledge. In order to find a connection between this proverb and that which precedes, we need only be reminded of the parable of the merchantman who sought goodly pearls, Mat 13:45. The proverb rises to a climax: there is gold, and there are pearls in abundance, the one of which has always a higher value than the other; but intelligent lips are above all such jewels - they are a precious treasure, which gold and all pearls cannot equal. In a similar manner the N.T. places the one pearl above the many goodly pearls. So might דעת (chokma) be called the pearl above all pearls ( Pro 3:15; Pro 8:11); but the lips…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification