Proverbs 15:7

7 1The lips of the wise spread knowledge; 2not so the hearts of fools.[a]

Proverbs 15:7 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:7

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" F24; it is full of folly and wickedness: or "the heart of the foolish [does] not [disperse that which is] right" F25; true and right things, and the knowledge of them; but, on the contrary, as in ( Proverbs 15:2 ) , "pours out foolishness".


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Nk al) "non erit rectum", Pagninus, Baynus; "non est rectum", Piscator, Mercerus.
F25 "Spargit quod abest a recto", Junius & Tremellius, Amama; "eventilant non rectum", Schultens, Cocceius.

Proverbs 15:7 In-Context

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

Cross References 2

  • 1. [Matthew 12:34, 35]
  • 2. [Matthew 12:34, 35]

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.