Proverbs 21:23

Authorized King James Version

PDF

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Original Language Analysis

שֹׁמֵ֖ר Whoso keepeth H8104
שֹׁמֵ֖ר Whoso keepeth
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 1 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
פִּ֭יו his mouth H6310
פִּ֭יו his mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 2 of 6
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ and his tongue H3956
וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ and his tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 3 of 6
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,
שֹׁמֵ֖ר Whoso keepeth H8104
שֹׁמֵ֖ר Whoso keepeth
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 4 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצָּר֣וֹת from troubles H6869
מִצָּר֣וֹת from troubles
Strong's: H6869
Word #: 5 of 6
transitively, a female rival
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ his soul H5315
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 6 of 6
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

Guarding mouth and tongue preserves one from troubles. Careless speech brings self-inflicted calamity—gossip, lying, harsh words all create problems for the speaker. James 3's teaching on the tongue's power to bless or curse expands this wisdom.

Historical Context

In communities where reputation was everything, unguarded speech could destroy one's standing and relationships. The wise exercised verbal restraint as self-preservation.

Questions for Reflection