Proverbs 10:13
Proverbs 10:13 in Multiple Translations
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found; But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
In the lips of him who has knowledge wisdom is seen; but a rod is ready for the back of him who is without sense.
Wisdom comes from people with good judgment, but stupid people are punished with a rod.
In the lippes of him that hath vnderstanding wisdome is founde, and a rod shalbe for the backe of him that is destitute of wisedome.
In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod [is] for the back of him who is lacking understanding.
Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
In the lips of the wise is wisdom found: and a rod on the back of him that wanteth sense.
Those who have good sense say [MTY] what is wise, but people who do not have good sense must be punished.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 10:13
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 10:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/שִׂפְתֵ֣י
נָ֭בוֹן
תִּמָּצֵ֣א
חָכְמָ֑ה
וְ֝/שֵׁ֗בֶט
לְ/גֵ֣ו
חֲסַר
לֵֽב
בְּ/שִׂפְתֵ֣י
sâphâh
H8193
lips
Prep | N-fd
נָ֭בוֹן
bîyn
H995
to understand
V-Niphal
תִּמָּצֵ֣א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
חָכְמָ֑ה
chokmâh
H2451
wisdom
N-fs
וְ֝/שֵׁ֗בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
Conj | N-ms
לְ/גֵ֣ו
gêv
H1460
back
Prep | N-ms
חֲסַר
châçêr
H2638
lacking
Adj
לֵֽב
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 10:13
בְּ/שִׂפְתֵ֣י
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
Prep | 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.
נָ֭בוֹן
bîyn
H995
"to understand"
V-Niphal
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.
תִּמָּצֵ֣א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
חָכְמָ֑ה
chokmâh
H2451
"wisdom"
N-fs
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. See also: Exodus 28:3; Proverbs 5:1; Psalms 37:30.
וְ֝/שֵׁ֗בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
Conj | N-ms
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
לְ/גֵ֣ו
gêv
H1460
"back"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'midst' or 'middle' is used to describe a central location, similar to the Aramaic word 'gav'.
Definition: the back, back
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] among, back, body. See also: Job 30:5; Proverbs 26:3; Proverbs 10:13.
חֲסַר
châçêr
H2638
"lacking"
Adj
Being in need or lacking something is what this word means. It describes a state of poverty or want, often used to describe people who are struggling. The Bible talks about lack and need in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: in need of, lacking, needy, in want of
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want. See also: 1 Samuel 21:16; Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 6:32.
לֵֽב
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
Study Notes — Proverbs 10:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 10:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 10:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 10:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 10:13
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 10:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
- Sermons on Proverbs 10:13
Context — Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son
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.
13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction. 15The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 26:3 | A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! |
| 2 | Proverbs 6:32 | He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. |
| 3 | Isaiah 50:4 | The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. |
| 4 | Proverbs 15:7 | The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. |
| 5 | Proverbs 10:21 | The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment. |
| 6 | Psalms 32:9 | Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you. |
| 7 | Proverbs 10:10–11 | He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. |
| 8 | Proverbs 20:15 | There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. |
| 9 | Proverbs 17:10 | A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool. |
| 10 | Proverbs 10:31 | The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. |
Proverbs 10:13 Summary
This verse tells us that wise and discerning people speak wisely, while those who lack judgment will face correction. It's like when a child does something wrong and needs to be corrected by their parent - it's not because the parent doesn't love them, but because they want the child to learn and grow (Hebrews 12:5-6). We can all become wiser by seeking God's guidance and studying His word (Psalm 119:66), and by surrounding ourselves with wise and godly people. By doing so, we can use our words to build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down (Ephesians 4:29).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'lack judgment' in Proverbs 10:13?
To lack judgment means to be without discernment or wisdom, as seen in those who do not seek God's guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6) and instead follow their own understanding, leading to foolish decisions (Psalm 14:1).
Why is a rod mentioned for the one who lacks judgment?
The rod symbolizes correction or discipline, implying that those who lack wisdom will face consequences for their actions, much like a child is corrected by a parent (Proverbs 22:15, Hebrews 12:5-6).
How can we become more discerning and wise like those mentioned in Proverbs 10:13?
We can become more discerning by seeking wisdom from God through prayer (James 1:5) and studying His word (Psalm 119:66), and by surrounding ourselves with wise and godly counsel (Proverbs 11:14).
Is this verse saying that only certain people are wise, while others are not?
No, this verse is not implying that only certain people can be wise; rather, it emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and judgment, which is available to all who seek it (Proverbs 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:30).
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I lack judgment, and how can I seek God's guidance to make wiser decisions?
- How can I cultivate wisdom and discernment in my daily interactions and relationships?
- In what ways can I use my words to build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down (Ephesians 4:29)?
- What are some consequences I have faced or seen others face as a result of lacking judgment, and how can I learn from these experiences?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 10:13
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found,.... He that has an understanding, especially of divine, spiritual, and evangelic things, which is the pure gift of God; wisdom will be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 10:13
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
Wisdom is found; his wisdom showeth itself in his prudent speeches, by which he escapeth that rod which tools meet with, and gaineth that reputation and advantage to himself which fools lose. A rod is for the back of him, he may expect rebukes and punishments from God and men, that is void of understanding; which he showeth by his foolish words.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
Proverbs 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding.Ver. 13. In the lips of him, &c.] "Grace is poured into his lips," and he pours it out as fast for the good of others, who do therefore admire him, as they did our Saviour. But a rod is for the back.] That, since he will not hear the word, he may "hear the rod," and smart for his uncounsellableness. He that trembleth not in hearing, shall be broken to pieces in feeling, saith Bradford.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
Verse 13. A rod is for the back of him] He that can learn, and will not learn, should be made to learn. The rod is a most powerful instrument of knowledge. Judiciously applied, there is a lesson of profound wisdom in every twig.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 10:13
13. that hath understanding] or, discernment, R.V. The contrast is heightened by pursuing in the second clause the want of understanding to its consequences. The Speaker’s Comm. quotes the Egyptian proverb, “A youth hath a back that he may attend to his teacher.”
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 10:13
i. e., The wisdom of the wise is seen in the words that issue from his lips; the folly of the fool is not only seen in his speech, but brings upon him the chastisement which he well deserves.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 10:13
13. Understanding — παεο, (nabhon,) the discreet man. Wisdom is found — Which will preserve him from evil, especially such as would subject him to punishment.
Sermons on Proverbs 10:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Parents and Children by Bob Hoekstra | This sermon focuses on the biblical principles of parenting and raising children according to God's design. It emphasizes the importance of mutual servanthood in family relationshi |
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His School of Instruction by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's discipline serves as a means of instruction, akin to a rod that reveals folly and vanity in His people. He explains that God's corrections are n |
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Marriage: Removing Destructive Influences by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God, addressing the need for restoration in marriages, radical life changes, and the repair of broken homes. It delves into |
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Homily 4 on Romans by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom delivers a powerful sermon on the consequences of turning away from God, focusing on the depravity and dishonor that result from abandoning natural relationships an |
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Importance of Purity in Our Life by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen delivers a powerful message on the importance of purity in the sexual area as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. He emphasizes the need to possess our bodies in sanctifi |
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Moral Decline by Colin Peckham | Colin Peckham addresses the prevalent immorality in society, particularly focusing on the normalization of pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships, contrasting it with t |
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Susanna Teaches Circumspection by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome warns about the dangers of lust and adultery by recounting the story of Susanna and the elders who fell into sin due to their lustful desires. He emphasizes the imp |