Proverbs 4:24
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֭מְּךָ
H4480
מִ֭מְּךָ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
פֶּ֑ה
mouth
H6310
פֶּ֑ה
mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
4 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
lips
H8193
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
6 of 8
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Cross References
Proverbs 8:8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.James 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.James 1:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Proverbs 6:12A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,Colossians 3:8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.Job 11:14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.Proverbs 17:20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Historical Context
Part of comprehensive instruction on guarding the heart (v.23) and its expressions. Ancient Israelite ethics recognized speech as revealing and shaping character, requiring careful discipline.
Questions for Reflection
- What patterns of perverse speech do you need to actively 'put away' from your mouth?
- How does heart transformation through the gospel enable speech transformation mere willpower cannot?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Put away from you froward (iqqueshut - perverse, crooked) mouth, and perverse lips put far from you. The command addresses corrupt speech requiring active rejection - not passive avoidance but intentional putting away. Perverse speech includes lying, gossip, flattery, cursing, and all verbal corruption. The verse assumes tongue control requires heart transformation - speech reflects character, so changing speech requires changing heart.