The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
Parallel Translations
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The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
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The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
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The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish is not stedfast.
Cross-references (19)
Passages linked to Proverbs 15:7 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Matthew 12:34 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Proverbs 10:20-21 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
- James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
- Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
- Psalms 45:2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
- Psalms 51:13-15 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise.
- Psalms 71:15-18 My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure. I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone. God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.
- Psalms 78:2-6 I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done. For he established a covenant in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children,
- Psalms 119:13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9-10 Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
- Song of Solomon 4:11 Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
- Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
- Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
- Acts 18:9-10 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
- Romans 10:14-17 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- Romans 15:18-21 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation. But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”
- 2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge:…
Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
Ver. 7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.] They are the "lights of the world," φωστηρες, {Php 2:15} and they diffuse light wherever they come, shining as lamps or luminaries, and seeking to save themselves, and those that hear them. How did those learned scribes, our famous reformers, bring forth their rich treasure, and liberally disperse it? By preaching, writing, and every way trading their talents for the church’s good. Farellus, {a} with his talent, gained to the faith five cities of the Cantons, with their territories. Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Calvin, &c., how active and fruitful were they in their generations to dispread and scatter light over the Christian world, to wise and win souls to Christ. {Pro 11:30} These surely shine as stars in heaven, {Dan 12:3} that, like stars by their light and influence, made such a scatter of riches upon earth. Every star, saith one, is like a purse of gold, out of which God throws down riches and plenty upon the sons of men. And as it is the nature of gold to be drawn forth marvellously, so that, as the learned affirm, an ounce of gold will go as far as eight pound of silver, so it is the nature of sound knowledge to be spreading and diffusive. {b}
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But the heart of the foolish doth not so.] Or, Is not right. It is "little worth," {Pro 10:20} as having no true treasure in them, but froth and filth, vanity and villany: hence they do not only not disperse knowledge, which they have not, {Psa 14:4} but patronise and promote ignorance and error, sow cockle as fast as wiser men do corn, and are as busy in digging descents to hell, as others are in building staircases for heaven.
{a} " Hic est ille Farellus qui Genevenses, Novocomenses, Monipelgardenses, &c., Christo lucrifacit." - Melch. Adam in vit.
{b} Zanc., de oper. Dei, part 2, lib. iii. c. 6.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Disperse knowledge; freely communicate to others what they know,…
Disperse knowledge; freely communicate to others what they know, as they have opportunity.
Doeth not so; either because he hath no knowledge to disperse, or because he hath not a heart to perform his duty, or to do good to others. Or, as others render it, and as the last Hebrew word is rendered, Gen 42:34, and elsewhere, is not right; or the place may be rendered, the heart of the foolish (understand out of the former clause, as is very usual, disperseth by his lips) that which is not right; foolish and corrupt discourse, which is fitly opposed to knowledge.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain This is to the same purport with Pro 15:2,…
This is to the same purport with Pro 15:2, and shows what a blessing a wise man is and what a burden a fool is to those about him. Only here observe further, 1. That we then use knowledge aright when we disperse it, not confine it to a few of our intimates, and grudge it to others who would make as good use of it, but give a portion of this spiritual alms to seven and also to eight, not only be communicative, but diffusive, of this good, with humility and prudence. We must take pains to spread and propagate useful knowledge, must teach some that they may teach others, and so it is dispersed. 2. That it is not only a fault to pour out foolishness, but it is a shame not to disperse knowledge, at least not to drop some wise word or other: The heart of the foolish does not so; it has nothing to disperse that is good, or, if it had, has neither skill nor will to do good with it and therefore is little worth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,.... Scatter it…
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,.... Scatter it about for the benefit of others; they are communicative and diffusive of it unto others, that fruit may abound to their account: so the first ministers of the Gospel diffused the savour of the knowledge of Christ and his Gospel in every place; their words went into all the earth, and their sound to the end of the world; and so every Gospel minister will speak according to the oracles of God, and according to the abilities and measure of the gift which he has received; and to the utmost of his power feeds souls with knowledge and understanding;
but the heart of the foolish doth not so; does not disperse knowledge, for he has no solid substantial knowledge in him: or, "the heart of the foolish is not right" (x); it is full of folly and wickedness: or "the heart of the foolish does not disperse that which is right" (y); true and right things, and the knowledge of them; but, on the contrary, as in Pro 15:2, "pours out foolishness".
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(x) "non erit rectum", Pagninus, Baynus; "non est rectum", Piscator, Mercerus. (y) "Spargit quod abest a recto", Junius & Tremellius, Amama; "eventilant non rectum", Schultens, Cocceius.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Disperse - Freely communicate to others what they know.
Disperse - Freely communicate to others what they know.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Pro 15:7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge…
Pro 15:7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge — Freely communicate to others what they know, as they have opportunity; but the heart of the foolish doth not so — Either because he hath no knowledge to disperse, or because he hath not a heart to perform his duty, or to do good to others. Or, as others render the word כן, and as it is rendered Gen 42:34, is not right; that is, the heart of the foolish is not right, or disperseth (by his lips) that which is not right, namely, foolish and corrupt discourse, which is fitly opposed to knowledge.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Not so - The word translated “so” is taken…
Not so - The word translated “so” is taken by some in its etymological force as “strong,” “firm,” and the passage is rendered “the heart of the fool disperseth (supplied from the first clause) what is weak and unsteady,” i. e., “falsehood and unwisdom.” The Septuagint takes it as an adjective, “the heart of the fool is unstedfast.” The phrase as it stands in the King James Version is, however, of frequent occurrence Gen 48:18; Exo 10:11; Num 12:7.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain The "right use of knowledge" is, first to "lay…
The "right use of knowledge" is, first to "lay it up" in a storehouse (Pro 10:14 ); then out of the store-house to disperse it. The sower scatters the seed in the furrow, and calculates upon a proportionate harvest. (2Co 9:6 .) Thus the lips of the wise disperse the precious seed, "giving a portion to seven, and also to eight;" not discouraged by trifling difficulties, but "sowing morning and evening," and committing the result to God. (Ecc 11:2, Ecc 11:4, Ecc 11:6 .) Our Lord thus dispersed the heavenly knowledge of his gospel. (Mat 4:23 ; Mat 9:35 .) He commanded his Apostles to scatter the seed through the vast field of the world. (Mat 28:19-20 .) The persecution of the Church was overruled for this great end. (Act 8:4 .) The Reformers widely dispersed their treasures both by preaching and writing, and rich indeed was the fruit. Do we remember, that our gifts and talents are the riches of the Church (1Co 12:7 . 1Pe 4:10 ); that, like our father Abraham, we are blessed, not for our own sakes, but to "be a blessing"? (Gen 12:2 .) And does not conscience speak of the waste of many, even important, opportunities of intercourse with our fellow-sinners or fellow-Christians, when not an atom of knowledge has been dispersed? We contend for no eccentric irregularity, no passing of our proper boundary, no entrenchment upon paramount obligations. But be careful, lest in quenching unnatural fire, we inadvertently quench some genuine spark of holy flame. Be mindful of small opportunities. The careful cultivation of the smallest field ensures an abundant harvest. The acceptance is not to the number, but to the improvement of the talents; not only "where much has been given;" but where we "have been faithful in a few things." (Mat 25:21 .)
The sin of the wicked is not always, that they "pour out foolishness" (Pro 15:2 ); but that they do not so. They neglect to disperse. If they do not abuse their talent, they omit to improve it. If not blots, they are blanks in the Church. If they do no harm, they do nothing. (Mat 25:25-28 .) Indeed, they can disperse nothing from their empty storehouse. They can only trade with the trash of the world, not with the commerce of substantial knowledge — The end of both is according to their works — "Unto every one that hath (actively improves) shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not (uses not) shall be taken away, even that which he hath." (Mat 25:29 .)
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Unlike. The wise, or themselves. Hebrew and Septuagint, "inconstant."
Unlike. The wise, or themselves. Hebrew and Septuagint, "inconstant."
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain (Compare Pro 10:20-21).
(Compare Pro 10:20-21).
heart . . . not so--not right, or vain.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 7. Disperse (or diffuse) knowledge — Communicate to others…
7. Disperse (or diffuse) knowledge — Communicate to others for their good the knowledge which they possess.
The… foolish doeth not so — Has no useful knowledge to impart. This is not a contradiction of Pro_14:33. That is an implied censure of an ostentatious display of knowledge; this a commendation of the benevolent diffusion of it. It should be observed, however, that the verb יזרו, (yezaru,) rendered “disperse,” also signifies to winnow, as in separating the chaff from the wheat; also, to search out, to investigate, so distinguishing between that which is valuable and that which is worthless. This meaning of the verb is preferred by some, and gives a very good sense. The lips of the wise winnow their knowledge, that is, their instructive utterances, carefully distinguishing what is useful for edification and imparting only what is valuable; but the heart of fools does not so; they do not distinguish, but give chaff and wheat together. Some render: “The heart of fools is not right.” Others: “Not stable.” Stuart: “What is not sound.” Noyes refers to the same expression in 2Ki_17:9; Isa_16:6; Jer_23:10, where it is supposed to have this meaning. The ancient versions are divided. The Chaldee and Vulgate agree with our Authorized Version. The Septuagint, however, has: “The lips of the wise are bound by discretion.”
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 7. doeth not so] So R.V. text, with the…
7. doeth not so] So R.V. text, with the alternative in the marg. is not stedfast, or right. Maurer, however, renders (repeating disperse from the first clause) that which is not right; and compares the use of the same Heb. word, in the phrases, “thou hast well spoken,” “speak right,” “speak well:” Exo_10:29; Num_27:7; Num_36:5.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (7) But the heart of the foolish doeth not…
(7) But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.—Or, disperseth that which is not right.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. (ver. 2…
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. (ver. 2 Pro_10:31) The LXX takes the verb Wryi in its other signification of "binding" or "embracing," and translates, "The lips of the wise are bound ( dedetai ) with knowledge;" i.e. knowledge is always on them and controls their movements. The wise know when to speak, when to be silent, and what to say. But the heart of the foolish doeth not so; i.e. doth not disperse knowledge. Vulgate, cor stultorum dissimile erit, "will be unlike," which probably means the same as the Authorized Version. (Compare a similar use of the words lo-ken in Gen_48:18 Exo_10:11) But the contrast is stated rather weakly by this rendering, lips and heart having the same office to perform; hence it is better, with Delitzsch, Ewald, and others, to take ke (ken) as an adjective in the sense of "right" or "trustworthy," and either to supply the former verb, "disperseth that which is not right," or to render, "The heart of the foot is not directed right;" the fool goes astray, and leads himself and others into error. Septuagint, "The hearts of fools are not safe (asfaleiv )."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain v. 7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,…
v. 7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, casting it out over the country like good seed, which will return a rich harvest; but the heart of the foolish doeth not so; having no wisdom, he cannot spread any, he is not set in the right direction and is therefore utterly incompetent to teach others.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about
The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about
The word "lips" represents what wise people say. The writer speaks of knowledge as if it were seeds that wise people scatter around when they speak. AT: "The speech of wise people spreads knowledge" (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)
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not so the hearts of fools
Possible meanings are 1) the word "hearts" is synecdoche for the fools themselves and means that they do not scatter knowledge like wise people do. AT: "fools do not scatter knowledge about" or 2) fools do not have knowledge in their hearts, with "hearts" being a metonym for the thoughts. AT: "fools do not understand knowledge" (See: Synecdoche and Metonymy)
upright people
"people who live rightly"
is his delight
"pleases him"
translationWords
wise
know
heart
fool
Yahweh
sacrifice
evil
pray
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.