Proverbs 28:23

Authorized King James Version

PDF

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Original Language Analysis

מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ He that rebuketh H3198
מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ He that rebuketh
Strong's: H3198
Word #: 1 of 7
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
אָדָ֣ם a man H120
אָדָ֣ם a man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 2 of 7
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אַ֭חֲרַי afterwards H310
אַ֭חֲרַי afterwards
Strong's: H310
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
חֵ֣ן more favour H2580
חֵ֣ן more favour
Strong's: H2580
Word #: 4 of 7
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
יִמְצָ֑א shall find H4672
יִמְצָ֑א shall find
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 5 of 7
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
מִֽמַּחֲלִ֥יק than he that flattereth H2505
מִֽמַּחֲלִ֥יק than he that flattereth
Strong's: H2505
Word #: 6 of 7
to be smooth (figuratively)
לָשֽׁוֹן׃ with the tongue H3956
לָשֽׁוֹן׃ with the tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 7 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,

Analysis & Commentary

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour (מוֹכִיחַ אָדָם אַחֲרַי חֵן יִמְצָא, mokhiach adam acharai chen yimtsa)—מוֹכִיחַ (mokhiach, 'one who rebukes, reproves, corrects') brings אַחֲרַי (acharai, 'afterward, later') the discovery (מָצָא, matsa) of חֵן (chen, 'favor, grace'). Initially painful, faithful correction produces later gratitude. Proverbs 27:6: 'Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.'

Than he that flattereth with the tongue (מִמַּחֲלִיק לָשׁוֹן, mimachaliq lashon)—חָלַק (chalaq, 'to be smooth, slippery, flattering') with the לָשׁוֹן (lashon, 'tongue') produces immediate pleasure but eventual harm. Flattery deceives, rebounds, and destroys relationships. Paul refused such tactics: 'For neither at any time used we flattering words' (1 Thessalonians 2:5). True love speaks truth (Ephesians 4:15).

Historical Context

Ancient royal courts were notorious for flattering courtiers who told kings what they wanted to hear. True prophets brought rebuke (Nathan to David, 2 Samuel 12; Micaiah to Ahab, 1 Kings 22) and faced hostility—but history vindicated them. Proverbs advocates the prophetic courage to speak uncomfortable truth.

Questions for Reflection