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Proverbs 24:26

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 24:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
Proverbs 24:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23These also are [sayings] of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him:
25But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them.
26He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
27Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips.
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.
← Proverbs 24:25Proverbs 24:27 →
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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
“kiss his lips--love and obey, do homage (Psa 2:12; Sol 8:1). right answer--literally, "plain words" (compare Pro 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Better, He shall kiss lips that giveth a right answer, i. e., he shall gain the hearts of men as much as by all outward signs of sympathy and favor. Compare 2 Samuel 15:1-6. 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
“Shall kiss - Shall respect him. A right answer - That speaks pertinently and plainly, and truly. Proverbs 24:32”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:26 Saying 2: A true friend does not cover up problems but honestly points out areas for improvement. A wise person welcomes the correction of a friend.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall: Pro 15:23, Pro 16:1, Pro 25:11, Pro 25:12; Gen. 41:38-57; Dan 2:46-48; Mar 12:17, Mar 12:18, Mar 12:32-34 giveth a right answer: Heb. answereth right words, Job 6:25 Proverbs 24:27”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then follows a distich with the watchword נצחים: 26 He kisseth the lips Who for the end giveth a right answer. The lxx, Syr., and Targ. translate: one kisseth the lips who, or: of those who...; but such a meaning is violently forced into the word (in that case the expression would have been שׂפתי משׁיב or שׂפתים משׁיבים). Equally impossible is Theodotion's χείλεσι καταφιληθήσεται, for ישּׁק cannot be the fut. Niph. Nor is it: lips kiss him who... (Rashi); for, to be thus understood, the word ought to have been למשׁיב. משׁיב is naturally to be taken as the subj., and thus it supplies the meaning: he who kisseth the lips giveth an excellent answer, viz., the lips of him whom the answer…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 24 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification