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Commentary Critical and Explanatory

Proverbs 16:21

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent (intelligent; Hebrew, nabon): and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning - as well for himself (inasmuch as in teaching, one is taught one's self, and begins much more exactly to know the subject under discussion) as also for the hearer's good. 'The wise in heart shall be called intelligent,' when 'the sweetness of his lips increaseth the learning' of those around him. As he who is "wise in heart" gets great honour to himself, so "sweetness of the lips" brings great gain to the hearers. The end of facility in speech, whereby one speaketh each thing in its proper place and time () is not to glorify one's self, but to inform others of what is their interest to know. He who will be faithful in using the talent committed to him shall be counted worthy to receive more.

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See also Proverbs 16:21 in other biblical comments:

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    The words point to the conditions of all true growth in wisdom; and he who has the gift of uttering it in winning speech increases it in himself and others....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 16 IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; b...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    PROVERBS 16. The special feature is a group of aphorisms (Proverbs 16:10) relating to kings. The sentiments seem rather to reflect the picture of the ideal king than to indicate any particular period....

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HEART. Put by Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Subject), App-6, for understanding or discernment....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    "He who is wise will gain respect; but if he should also possess a pleasant manner of imparting his wisdom, he will be a more efficient teacher," _Rel. Tr. Soc. Commentary_....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT— "Profoundness of wisdom," says Lord Bacon, "may help men to fame and admiration; but it is eloquence which prevails in business and active life....

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    TEXT Proverbs 16:12-22 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness. 13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SWEETNESS, etc.] Attractive speech disposes the listener to learn....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    1-9. God's control of human life....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 16 The subject of the book now begins to change. In earlier Chapter s, the main subject is the difference between wise actions and evil action...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Another translation of the second line is, ‘Pleasant words persuade people.’ A wise person is sensible, because he is careful. He thinks about his actions, and obtains advice. People like to listen...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THE SWEETNESS OF THE LIPS INCREASETH LEARNING. — Power to express the thoughts in graceful language adds greatly to the value of learning....

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    לַ חֲכַם ־לֵ֭ב יִקָּרֵ֣א נָבֹ֑ון וּ מֶ֥תֶק

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 29 AN ASPECT OF ATONEMENT "He that hideth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy."- Proverbs 28:13 "Happy is the man that feareth...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 17 A JUST BALANCE "A just balance and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are His work."- Proverbs 16:11 "A false balance is an abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is H...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Verse Proverbs 16:1. A somewhat obscure proverb which recognizes that man has to exercise his own reason in making his plans, but that he is dependent on the Lord for the answer of the tongue. Dr. Per...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the (k) sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. (k) The sweet words of consolation which come from a godly heart....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Shall. Hebrew, "adds learning," both to himself and to others. Those who are wise and eloquent, must be preferred before those who have only the former qualification. (Calmet)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth trans...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 10 THROUGH 31. In chapter 10 begin the details which teach those who give ear how to avoid the snares into which the simple might fall, the path to be followe...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT,.... He that has true wisdom in the inward part; who knows his heart and the haughtiness of it; who has the fear of God in it, which is the beginning of wisdo...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Ver. 21. _The wise in heart shall be called prudent._] He shall have the style and esteem of an intellige...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _He that handleth a matter wisely_, &c. “He that understands his business thoroughly, and manages it prudently and discreetly, is likely to have good success; but no one is so happy, no one is so sure...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    V. 21. THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT, regarded as possessing true discernment, AND THE SWEETNESS OF THE LIPS INCREASETH LEARNING, that is, where one makes use of grace, of a pleasant and a...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    THE WISE IN HEART SHALL BE CALLED PRUDENT: the sense is either, 1. He who hath wisdom or sound knowledge in his heart, will show it by his prudence in ordering his actions. Or rather, 2. He who is tr...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Proverbs 16:21 wise H2450 heart H3820 called H7121 (H8735) prudent H995 (H8737) sweetness H4986 lips H8193 incre

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    WISDOM IS TO BE SOUGHT AND PRIDE MUST BE AVOIDED BY THE ONE WHO WOULD WALK IN THE RIGHT WAY WITH TRUST IN YHWH (PROVERBS 16:16). In this subsection the envelopes of wisdom (Proverbs 16:16) - pride (Pr...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Proverbs contrasting good and evil. CHARACTERS: God. CONCLUSION: The safest way in which to travel is the way of the upright, a way which God makes plain to those who desire to walk in it....

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Proverbs 16:1. _The preparations of the heart in man._ As the field must be plowed, and the soil prepared for the seeds, so the heart of man must be prepared for grace. Afflictions in Egypt disposed t...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _The wise in heart shall be called prudent._ THE WISE IN HEART I. These words are an assertion that true wisdom will show itself in a prudent conduct of life. His wisdom will gain him the reputation...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 16:10 The remaining sections of ch. Proverbs 16:1 illustrate the benefits of wisdom for the well-being of the heart (vv....

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 16:20 These verses commend the kind of speech that is typical of those who are WISE OF HEART. ⇐...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 16:20. Delitzsch and Zöckler translate the first clause “_He that giveth heed to the Word findeth good_.” Stuart and others, “_He that is prudent respecting any matter_.” Mi...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PROVERBS 16:1 These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. PROVERBS 16:1 The Authorized Version makes one sentence of this verse without any contrast or a...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now to Proverbs 16:1-33, the sixteenth chapter and begin our study this evening. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD (Proverbs 16:1). Go...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Kings 3:12; Ecclesiastes 12:10; Isaiah 50:4; James 3:17; John 7:46;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    The wise — He who is truly wise, shall be so accounted by others. Sweetness — Eloquence added to wisdom. Increaseth — Both in himself, for while a man teaches others, he improves himself; and others,...

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