Proverbs Chapter 10 · Verse 11
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
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
Cross References
Proverbs 13:14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.Proverbs 10:6Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.Proverbs 18:4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.Proverbs 20:15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.Psalms 107:42The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.Proverbs 10:32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
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
- Is your speech characteristically a well of life bringing refreshment to others?
- What violence or destructive intent might your words be covering or revealing?
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.