Proverbs 15:7

7 The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.

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".

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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 foolish man puts no value on his father's training; but he who has respect for teaching has good sense.

6 In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise keep knowledge, but the heart of the foolish man is not right.

8 The offering of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright man is his delight.

9 The way of the evil-doer is disgusting to the Lord, but he who goes after righteousness is dear to him.