Proverbs 10:11

Authorized King James Version

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The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Original Language Analysis

מְק֣וֹר man is a well H4726
מְק֣וֹר man is a well
Strong's: H4726
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
חַ֭יִּים of life H2416
חַ֭יִּים of life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 2 of 8
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וּפִ֥י The mouth H6310
וּפִ֥י The mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 3 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
צַדִּ֑יק of a righteous H6662
צַדִּ֑יק of a righteous
Strong's: H6662
Word #: 4 of 8
just
וּפִ֥י The mouth H6310
וּפִ֥י The mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 5 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים of the wicked H7563
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים of the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 6 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יְכַסֶּ֥ה covereth H3680
יְכַסֶּ֥ה covereth
Strong's: H3680
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
חָמָֽס׃ but violence H2555
חָמָֽס׃ but violence
Strong's: H2555
Word #: 8 of 8
violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

Analysis & Commentary

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Righteous speech provides life-giving refreshment like a well in arid land. In contrast, wicked speech hides (covers) violence - concealing destructive intent behind words. The verse presents speech as either blessing or curse, life-giving or life-destroying. Such speech flows from character - righteous persons speak life; wicked persons speak death.

Historical Context

Well imagery was powerful in semi-arid Israel where water sources meant survival. Righteous speech providing such refreshment made it precious commodity in covenant community.

Questions for Reflection

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