Proverbs 22:18

18 For [it is] pleasant if you guard them {within you}; together they will be ready upon your lips.

Proverbs 22:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:18

For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
&c.] Or, "in thy belly" F1. That is, in thine heart, in the inmost recesses of it; where the words or doctrines of the wise should be received in the love of them, and carefully laid up and retained; which will upon reflection yield much pleasure, like Ezekiel's roll, which was in his belly as honey for sweetness; and which also is very profitable as an antidote against sin, ( Psalms 119:11 ) ; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips;
become them, and be suitable and graceful to them: or, "shall be ordered [and disposed] in" or "by thy lips" F2; being received into the heart, and digested there, they shall easily and freely go off the tongue, which shall be as the pen of a ready writer; they shall be delivered in a regular manner, with great liberty and facility; by a good digestion of Gospel truths, and a comfortable experience of them, persons become apt to teach others.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Knjbb) "in ventre tuo", V. L. Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens.
F2 (wnwk) "disponantur", Vatablus.

Proverbs 22:18 In-Context

16 He who oppresses the poor [in order] to enrich himself, [or] gives to the rich, {will come to poverty}.
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For [it is] pleasant if you guard them {within you}; together they will be ready upon your lips.
19 [In order] for your trust to be in Yahweh, I have made [them] known to you {today}--even you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty [sayings] with admonitions and knowledge?

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally "in your belly/womb"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.