Proverbs 25:11

“A word fitly spoken, etc.] Or, “a word spoken on its wheels”f678: that proceeds aright, keeps due order, is well circumstanced as to matter, method, time, place, and persons; a discourse well put together, properly pronounced, roundly, easily, and fluently delivered to proper persons, and adapted to their circumstances; and “seasonably” spoken, as the Targum and many versions render it: [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver; either like apples made of gold, and so valuable and precious; or as apples, called golden from their colour, as golden pippins, and golden rennets; or oranges, which are sometimes called golden apples: either of these in silver cases and enclosures, as Aben…”

“a word fitly--literally, "quickly," as wheels roll, just in time. The comparison as apples . . . silver gives a like sense. apples, &c.--either real apples of golden color, in a silver network basket, or imitations on silver embroidery.”

“Apples of gold - Probably the golden colored fruit set in baskets (i. e., chased vessels of open worked silver); so is a word spoken upon its wheels (i. e., moving quickly and quietly on its way). The proverb may have had its origin in some kingly gift to the son of David, the work of Tyrian artists, like Hiram and his fellows. Others gazed on the cunning work and admired, but the wise king saw in the costly rarity a parable of something higher. “A word well set upon the wheels of speech” excelled it. Ornamentation of this kind in the precious metals was known, even as late as in the middle ages, as oeuvre de Salomon. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Of silver - Which it seems was usual in those times, and was grateful to the eye for the beauty and variety both of the colours and figures, the golden apples appearing through net - work of silver. Proverbs 25:13”

“25:11-12 Timely advice and valid criticism are precious, beautiful, and rare (see also 15:23; 26:7, 9), and should be welcomed (see 10:17; 13:1, 10; 15:24, 31-32; 17:10).”

“word: Pro 15:23, Pro 24:26; Ecc 12:10; Isa 50:4 fitly spoken: Heb. spoken upon his wheels is like: Rather "is like golden apples (tappuchim, in Arabic, tuffach), in baskets (maskeeyoth, in Arabic, shakeekat), of silver." A word spoken with propriety, opportunely, and suitably to the occasion, is as much in its place, and as conspicuously beautiful, as the golden fruit which appears through the apertures of an exquisitely wrought silver basket. Proverbs 25:12”

“The first emblematical distich of this collection now follows: 11 Golden apples in silver salvers. A word spoken according to its circumstances. The Syr. and Jerome vocalize דּבר דּבר, and the Targ. דּבר דּבר; both are admissible, but the figure and that which is represented are not placed in so appropriate a relation as by דּבר דּבר; the wonderfully penetrating expression of the text, which is rendered by the traditional nikkud, agrees here with the often occurring דּבר (= מדבּר), also its passive דּבוּר. The defective writing is like, e.g., בּטח, Psa 112:7, and gives no authority to prefer דּבּר = מדבּר (Bttcher). That דּברי, corresponding to the plur. תּפּוּחי, is not used, arises from…”