Proverbs 17:28

Authorized King James Version

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Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Original Language Analysis

גַּ֤ם H1571
גַּ֤ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֱוִ֣יל Even a fool H191
אֱוִ֣יל Even a fool
Strong's: H191
Word #: 2 of 8
(figuratively) silly
מַ֭חֲרִישׁ when he holdeth his peace H2790
מַ֭חֲרִישׁ when he holdeth his peace
Strong's: H2790
Word #: 3 of 8
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
חָכָ֣ם wise H2450
חָכָ֣ם wise
Strong's: H2450
Word #: 4 of 8
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב is counted H2803
יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב is counted
Strong's: H2803
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
אֹטֵ֖ם and he that shutteth H331
אֹטֵ֖ם and he that shutteth
Strong's: H331
Word #: 6 of 8
to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs)
שְׂפָתָ֣יו his lips H8193
שְׂפָתָ֣יו his lips
Strong's: H8193
Word #: 7 of 8
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
נָבֽוֹן׃ is esteemed a man of understanding H995
נָבֽוֹן׃ is esteemed a man of understanding
Strong's: H995
Word #: 8 of 8
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

Analysis & Commentary

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Gam evil macharish chakham yechashev (גַּם אֱוִיל מַחֲרִישׁ חָכָם יֵחָשֵׁב, even a fool keeping silent is considered wise). Silence can masquerade as wisdom. Otem sefataiv navon (אֹטֵם שְׂפָתָיו נָבוֹן, shutting his lips—discerning). The proverb offers practical advice: better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. While silence doesn't make fools wise, it prevents displaying foolishness. James 1:19 urges being slow to speak. Sometimes saying nothing is wisest—though genuine wisdom requires transformed hearts, not merely closed mouths.

Historical Context

Ancient wisdom valued discretion and appropriate silence (Ecclesiastes 3:7, Proverbs 17:27). Fools who spoke constantly revealed ignorance. Those who remained silent, whether wise or foolish, protected reputations. The proverb operates on two levels:

  1. pragmatic advice—fools should speak less
  2. deeper truth—mere silence doesn't constitute wisdom.

True wisdom requires fear of the LORD and transformed character, not merely rhetorical restraint.

Questions for Reflection