Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Original Language Analysis
לְשׁ֣וֹן
The tongue
H3956
לְשׁ֣וֹן
The tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
3 of 7
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
לֵ֖ב
the heart
H3820
לֵ֖ב
the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
5 of 7
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Proverbs 12:18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?Genesis 6:5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Historical Context
Silver required refining to remove impurities, making it valuable. Righteous speech similarly requires heart purification to produce valuable words worth heeding.
Questions for Reflection
- How valuable is your speech to others - choice silver or worthless dross?
- What heart impurities need refining to produce more valuable speech?
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Analysis & Commentary
The tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth. Righteous speech is precious and valuable like refined silver. Conversely, wicked hearts (and thus their speech flowing from hearts) are worthless. The contrast emphasizes both inner character (heart) and outer expression (tongue). What makes righteous speech valuable is the valuable heart from which it flows.