Proverbs 10:10
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
Original Language Analysis
קֹ֣רֵֽץ
He that winketh
H7169
קֹ֣רֵֽץ
He that winketh
Strong's:
H7169
Word #:
1 of 7
to pinch, i.e., (partially) to bite the lips, blink the eyes (as a gesture of malice), or (fully) to squeeze off (a piece of clay in order to mould a
עַ֭יִן
with the eye
H5869
עַ֭יִן
with the eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יִתֵּ֣ן
causeth
H5414
יִתֵּ֣ן
causeth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 35:19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.Proverbs 6:13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;Proverbs 10:8The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.3 John 1:10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures relied heavily on nonverbal communication. Winking, gestures, and body language conveyed messages in honor-shame societies where direct confrontation was often avoided. Solomon warns against using such signals for deception. The "prating fool" represents the opposite extreme—someone who speaks too freely without discretion, violating wisdom's call for measured, thoughtful words.
Questions for Reflection
- In what subtle ways might we communicate dishonestly without explicitly lying (body language, tone, omission)?
- How does James 1:19 ('swift to hear, slow to speak') help us avoid being 'prating fools'?
- What does wise, truthful communication look like in the digital age where nonverbal cues are often absent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse addresses deceptive communication and its consequences. "Winketh with the eye" (qorets ayin, קֹרֵץ עַיִן) describes conspiratorial signaling—a gesture of malicious intent, mockery, or deception. Proverbs 6:12-14 connects winking eyes with worthless persons who plot evil. The result is "sorrow" (atsev, עַצֶּב), meaning pain, grief, toil—the deceiver causes suffering to others.
The second clause shifts to another type of fool: "a prating fool" (evil sephatayim, אֱוִיל שְׂפָתַיִם, literally "fool of lips"). This person babbles foolishly, speaking without wisdom or restraint. The consequence is clear: "shall fall" (yillaveh, יִלָּבֵט), meaning stumble, be overthrown, brought to ruin. Both the sly deceiver and the careless talker face destruction—one through subtlety, the other through recklessness.
The proverb warns against two communication failures: covert malice (winking) and overt foolishness (prating). Both violate the ninth commandment's spirit. Jesus condemned the Pharisees who communicated truth hypocritically (Matthew 23:3), and James warns that the tongue, though small, can kindle great evil (James 3:5-6). Only Spirit-controlled speech honors God and edifies others.