Proverbs 10:10
Proverbs 10:10 in Multiple Translations
He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall.
He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace.
People who wink slyly cause trouble, but someone who gives a strong rebuke brings peace.
He that winketh with the eye, worketh sorowe, and he yet is foolish in talke, shalbe beaten.
Whoso is winking the eye giveth grief, And a talkative fool kicketh.
One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
He that winketh with the eye shall cause sorrow: and the foolish in lips shall be beaten.
Those who signal with their eyes that they are about to do something that is wrong cause trouble, but those who rebuke others truthfully cause them to be peaceful.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 10:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 10:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קֹ֣רֵֽץ
עַ֭יִן
יִתֵּ֣ן
עַצָּ֑בֶת
וֶ/אֱוִ֥יל
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
יִלָּבֵֽט
קֹ֣רֵֽץ
qârats
H7169
to wink
V-Qal
עַ֭יִן
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cs
יִתֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עַצָּ֑בֶת
ʻatstsebeth
H6094
injury
N-fs
וֶ/אֱוִ֥יל
ʼĕvîyl
H191
fool(ish)
Conj | Adj
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd
יִלָּבֵֽט
lâbaṭ
H3832
to ruin
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 10:10
קֹ֣רֵֽץ
qârats
H7169
"to wink"
V-Qal
This verb means to wink or pinch, and can also describe the action of biting one's lips or squeezing something. In the book of Proverbs, it is used to describe the gesture of a malicious person. It can also be used to describe the process of molding clay.
Definition: 1) to narrow, form, nip, pinch, squeeze, wink, purse 1a) (Qal) to pinch 1b) (Pual) to be nipped or pinched off, be formed
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: form, move, wink. See also: Job 33:6; Proverbs 6:13; Psalms 35:19.
עַ֭יִן
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cs
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
יִתֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
עַצָּ֑בֶת
ʻatstsebeth
H6094
"injury"
N-fs
This word refers to pain, injury, or sorrow, like the wound of a broken heart in Psalm 34:18. It can also mean a physical wound, like the ones suffered by Job in Job 2:7.
Definition: pain, hurt, injury, sorrow, wound
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: sorrow, wound. See also: Job 9:28; Psalms 147:3; Psalms 16:4.
וֶ/אֱוִ֥יל
ʼĕvîyl
H191
"fool(ish)"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for a foolish person, someone who despises wisdom or mocks when guilty. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are quarrelsome or licentious. The KJV translates it as 'fool' or 'foolish man'.
Definition: 1) be foolish, foolish 1a) (subst) 1a1) of one who despises wisdom 1a2) of one who mocks when guilty 1a3) of one who is quarrelsome 1a4) of one who is licentious
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish) (man). See also: Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:9; Psalms 107:17.
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
יִלָּבֵֽט
lâbaṭ
H3832
"to ruin"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to overthrow or throw down, and it can also mean to fall. It's used in different contexts, including battles and failures. The word is about being cast aside or thrust down.
Definition: 1) to throw down, thrust down, thrust out, thrust away 1a) (Niphal) to be thrust down, be thrust away, be thrown down, be cast aside
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: fall. See also: Proverbs 10:8; Proverbs 10:10; Hosea 4:14.
Study Notes — Proverbs 10:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 10:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 10:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 10:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 10:10
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 10:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
- Sermons on Proverbs 10:10
Context — Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son
8A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.
9He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 35:19 | Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice. |
| 2 | Proverbs 6:13 | winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. |
| 3 | 3 John 1:10 | So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church. |
| 4 | Proverbs 10:8 | A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin. |
| 5 | Job 15:12 | Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, |
| 6 | Proverbs 18:21 | Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. |
| 7 | Proverbs 18:6–7 | A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
Proverbs 10:10 Summary
This verse warns us about the dangers of secretly communicating bad intentions or speaking without thinking. When we do this, we can cause a lot of hurt and pain to those around us, as seen in the teachings of Proverbs 18:21 and James 3:9-10. Instead, we should strive to be honest, kind, and thoughtful in all our interactions, using our words to build each other up and promote love and understanding, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29-32 and Proverbs 16:24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'wink the eye' in Proverbs 10:10?
To 'wink the eye' in this verse means to secretly communicate or signal something, often with malicious intent, as seen in similar contexts like Proverbs 6:13, where it is associated with scheming and wickedness.
How do 'foolish lips' lead to ruin?
Foolish lips lead to ruin because they speak without wisdom or discretion, often bringing harm to oneself and others, as warned in Proverbs 10:8 and Proverbs 10:32, emphasizing the importance of wise and thoughtful speech.
Is this verse talking about physical harm or emotional harm?
This verse is primarily talking about emotional or relational harm, as the word 'grief' suggests, highlighting the impact of our actions and words on the well-being of others, similar to the teachings in Ephesians 4:29-32 about the importance of edifying speech.
How can I apply this verse to my everyday life?
You can apply this verse by being mindful of your non-verbal cues and the impact of your words on others, striving to communicate with integrity and kindness, as encouraged in Colossians 4:6 and Proverbs 15:1-2, to build strong, healthy relationships.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I might be 'winking the eye' in my own relationships, and how can I change this behavior to promote honesty and trust?
- How do my words and actions affect those around me, and what can I do to ensure I am bringing life and encouragement rather than harm or grief?
- In what situations am I most tempted to speak foolishly or without thinking, and how can I prepare myself to respond more wisely in those moments?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of self-control and thoughtful communication in my relationships with others?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 10:10
He that winketh with the eye,.... The Syriac and Arabic versions add, "with fraud".
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 10:10
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow. "Winketh-namely, with malicious intent (Proverbs 6:13, note).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
That winketh with the eye; that secretly and cunningly designs mischiefs against others, as this phrase is used, . Causeth sorrow to others, and afterwards to himself. But; or, and, as it is in the Hebrew; for vice is not here opposed to virtue, as it is in many other proverbs, but one vice is compared with another. A prating fool; who is so far from such deceits, that he runs into the other extreme, and uttereth all his mind, as is said of the fool, , and thereby speaks many things offensive to others, and mischievous to himself.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
Proverbs 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.Ver. 10. He that winketh with the eye.] That is, Loath to stand to those truths that shall bring him to suffering. Or, He that winketh wiles; for all winking is not condemned. See John 13:34. Causeth sorrow,] scil., To his own heart sinneth against his own soul: or causeth sorrow, i.e., sin; for so sorrow is taken for sin. But a prating fool shall fall.] He that runs himself upon needless danger shall come to ruin. See Proverbs 28:25.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
(10) Causeth sorrow to the person who is the butt of his ridicule, or against whom his malice is directed.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
Verse 10. He that winketh with the eye] Instead of the latter clause, on which see Proverbs 10:8, the Septuagint has, ὁδεελεγχωνμεταπαῥρησιαςειρηνοποιει· "but he that reproveth with freedom, maketh peace." This is also the reading of the Syriac and Arabic. A faithful open reproving of sin is more likely to promote the peace of society than the passing it by slightly, or taking no notice of it; for if the wicked turn to God at the reproof, the law of peace will soon be established in his heart, and the law of kindness will flow from his tongue.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 10:10
10. a prating fool &c.] The repetition of this clause in a new connection is interesting. In Proverbs 10:8 the contrast is between a wise heart and an unbridled tongue, in its consequences to its possessor. Here it is between crafty reticence which injures others, and foolish loquacity which injures oneself. “The Sept. and Syr. read, But he that rebuketh openly maketh peace,” R.V. marg.; but nothing is gained by the change.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 10:10
In Proverbs 10:8 the relation between the two clauses was one of contrast, here of resemblance. Cunning, reticence, and deceit (Proverbs 6:12 note) bring sorrow no less than garrulity.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 10:10
10. Winketh with the eye — Compare Proverbs 6:13. As an action of malice and mischief; as we say, to wink behind one’s back, insinuating something malicious and calumnious.
Sermons on Proverbs 10:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Foolish Time Demands an Answer by Carter Conlon | Carter Conlon emphasizes that we are living in a foolish time that demands a response from Christians. He highlights the increasing immorality and mockery of morality in society, u |
|
Tame Your Tongue by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taming one's tongue and the dangers of speaking evil. He compares the tongue to a treasure that can bring forth either goo |
|
1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 1 by Richard Wurmbrand | This sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to God and each other, highlighting a personal story of enduring love and faithfulness through trials. It delves into the concept |
|
|
Hard-Heartedness in the Body of Christ by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of daily prayer and Bible reading. He warns the congregation about the impending hard times and chaos that will come to the c |
|
In the School of God by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the impact of words and the importance of being an example of a believer. He shares stories of individuals who excelled in their faith and |
|
The Plague of Profanity by Jon Courson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the impact of profanity on society and how it desensitizes people to the reality of eternity. He explains that there was a time when words li |
|
|
The Foremost Proof of Holiness by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his early days of preaching with great zeal but little wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of having both wisdom and fire in one's faith. |