Proverbs 10:14
Proverbs 10:14 in Multiple Translations
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
Knowledge is stored up by the wise, but the mouth of the foolish man is a destruction which is near.
Wise people accumulate knowledge, but the chattering of stupid people is a prelude to disaster.
Wise men lay vp knowledge: but ye mouth of the foole is a present destruction.
The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool [is] near ruin.
Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is next to confusion.
Wise people continue to learn all that they can, but when foolish people speak, they soon cause trouble.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 10:14
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 10:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֲכָמִ֥ים
יִצְפְּנוּ
דָ֑עַת
וּ/פִֽי
אֱ֝וִיל
מְחִתָּ֥ה
קְרֹבָֽה
חֲכָמִ֥ים
châkâm
H2450
wise
Adj
יִצְפְּנוּ
tsâphan
H6845
to treasure
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
דָ֑עַת
daʻath
H1847
knowledge
N-fs
וּ/פִֽי
peh
H6310
lip
Conj | N-ms
אֱ֝וִיל
ʼĕvîyl
H191
fool(ish)
Adj
מְחִתָּ֥ה
mᵉchittâh
H4288
terror
N-fs
קְרֹבָֽה
qârôwb
H7138
near
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 10:14
חֲכָמִ֥ים
châkâm
H2450
"wise"
Adj
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Definition: 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). See also: Genesis 41:8; Proverbs 16:14; Psalms 49:11.
יִצְפְּנוּ
tsâphan
H6845
"to treasure"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To treasure means to hide or store something valuable, like the treasures stored in the temple in 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to hide, treasure, treasure or store up 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to hide, treasure, treasure up 1a2) to lie hidden, lurk 1b) (Niphal) to be hidden, be stored up 1c) (Hiphil) to hide, hide from discovery
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: esteem, hide(-den one, self), lay up, lurk (be set) privily, (keep) secret(-ly, place). See also: Exodus 2:2; Psalms 31:21; Psalms 10:8.
דָ֑עַת
daʻath
H1847
"knowledge"
N-fs
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). See also: Genesis 2:9; Proverbs 14:7; Psalms 19:3.
וּ/פִֽי
peh
H6310
"lip"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
אֱ֝וִיל
ʼĕvîyl
H191
"fool(ish)"
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.
מְחִתָּ֥ה
mᵉchittâh
H4288
"terror"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means terror or ruin, causing consternation or destruction. It is used to describe something that inspires fear or dread, and is translated as 'destruction' or 'terror' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) destruction, ruin, terror, a breaking 1a) terror, dismay, object of terror 1b) ruin
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: destruction, dismaying, ruin, terror. See also: Psalms 89:41; Proverbs 14:28; Proverbs 10:14.
קְרֹבָֽה
qârôwb
H7138
"near"
Adj
This Hebrew word means near, describing something close in place, time, or relationship. It is used in the book of Genesis to describe family relationships. The word is used to describe a close connection.
Definition: 1) near 1a) of place 1b) of time 1c) of personal relationship 1c1) kinship
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: allied, approach, at hand, [phrase] any of kin, kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is) next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly). See also: Genesis 19:20; Psalms 75:2; Psalms 15:3.
Study Notes — Proverbs 10:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 10:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 10:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 10:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 10:14
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 10:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
- Sermons on Proverbs 10:14
Context — Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son
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. 16The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 18:7 | A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
| 2 | Proverbs 10:8 | A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin. |
| 3 | Proverbs 13:3 | He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. |
| 4 | Proverbs 10:10 | He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. |
| 5 | Proverbs 9:9 | Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. |
| 6 | Matthew 13:52 | Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” |
| 7 | Matthew 13:44 | The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. |
| 8 | Proverbs 19:8 | He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. |
| 9 | Matthew 12:35 | The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. |
| 10 | 2 Corinthians 4:6–7 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. |
Proverbs 10:14 Summary
This verse, Proverbs 10:14, teaches us that wise people collect and store up knowledge, which helps them make good decisions and live a good life, as also seen in Proverbs 9:10. On the other hand, foolish people often say things that get them into trouble and can even lead to their own destruction. By fearing the Lord and seeking wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 1:7, we can learn to use our words carefully and store up knowledge that will help us navigate life's challenges, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105, where God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to store up knowledge?
According to Proverbs 10:14, storing up knowledge means to accumulate and retain wisdom, which is a characteristic of the wise, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
How does the mouth of a fool invite destruction?
The mouth of a fool invites destruction because it can lead to reckless and hurtful speech, as warned in Proverbs 12:18, where the tongue of the reckless pierces like a sword, and also in Proverbs 18:21, which says that the tongue has the power of life and death.
Can anyone become wise and store up knowledge?
Yes, anyone can become wise and store up knowledge by fearing the Lord, as stated in Proverbs 1:7, and by seeking wisdom through prayer and studying God's word, as encouraged in Psalm 119:66 and James 1:5-6.
What is the contrast between the wise and the fool in this verse?
The contrast between the wise and the fool in Proverbs 10:14 is that the wise store up knowledge, leading to life and prosperity, while the fool's mouth invites destruction, leading to ruin and chaos, as seen in the contrast between the paths of the righteous and the wicked in Psalm 1:1-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can store up knowledge and wisdom in my own life, and how can I apply them to my daily decisions?
- How have I seen the consequences of reckless speech in my own life or in the lives of others, and what can I learn from those experiences?
- What are some practical steps I can take to cultivate wisdom and discernment in my relationships and interactions with others?
- In what ways can I use my words to build up and encourage others, rather than tear them down, as instructed in Ephesians 4:29-32?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 10:14
Wise [men] lay up knowledge,.... Which they get by reading, prayer, meditation, hearing the word of God, and conversation with good men: this they lay up in their hearts, minds, and memories, that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 10:14
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
Wise men lay up, to wit, in their minds and memories, to be brought forth thence upon fit occasions, knowledge; whereby they may be enabled to speak both what and when it is seasonable, for their own or others’ good. The mouth of the foolish is near destruction; fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
Proverbs 10:14 Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.Ver. 14. Wise men lay up knowledge.] To know when to speak, and when to be silent. It is a great skill to be able "to time a word," to set it upon the wheels. "How forcible are right words!" But the mouth of the foolish.] An open mouth is a purgatory to the master. Nemo stultus tacere potest, saith Solon. A fool tells all, saith Solomon. And Ut quisque est dissolutissimae vitae, ita est solutissimae linguae, saith Seneca. A fool’ s bolt is soon shot, and as soon retorted ofttimes upon himself.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
(14) The mouth of the foolish is near destruction—i.e., is a near, ever-threatening calamity; one never knows what awkward or dangerous thing he will not say next: whereas wise men store up knowledge, and bring it forth as it is wanted (Matthew 13:52).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
Verse 14. Wise men lay up knowledge] They keep secret every thing that has a tendency to disturb domestic or public peace; but the foolish man blabs all out, and produces much mischief. Think much, speak little, and always think before you speak. This will promote your own peace and that of your neighbour.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 10:14
14. near destruction] Rather, is a near, or imminent (R.V. a present) destruction: “it is like a house ready to fall at any moment.” The antithesis is between wise men who treasure their wisdom to be used as occasion serves, and a fool who blurts out his folly, and may at any moment bring upon himself and others its disastrous consequences. Comp. Proverbs 12:23. The A.V. follows LXX., ἐγγίζεισυντριβῇ; and Vulg., confusioni proximum est.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 10:14
Lay up - The point of the maxim is that the wise man reserves what he has to say for the right time, place, and persons (compare Matthew 7:6), as contrasted with the foolish, ever giving immediate
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 10:14
14. Lay up — Treasures up, in the memory, useful knowledge. Compare Proverbs 10:8. Is near destruction — Destruction is near by, imminent.
Sermons on Proverbs 10:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(The Tongue of a Disciple) the Satan Controlled Tongue by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of wise and thoughtful speech when delivering God's word. He compares preparing a message to preparing a meal for a special gu |
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Are You Walking the Walk or Talking the Walk - Part 5 by Will Graham | This sermon emphasizes the distinction between those who are truly born again, walking in the ways of the Lord and hating sin, and those who are not regenerated, delighting in sinf |
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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 |
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(Saved Through the Fire) 15 - the Escaped Remnant by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of personal growth and spiritual transformation. He shares his own experiences of being separated from friends and going throu |
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Homily 6 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the significance of the wise men from the East seeking Jesus, emphasizing the divine intervention through the star to lead them to the newborn King of t |
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Teachers by John Follette | John Follette emphasizes the profound role of teaching in Paul's ministry, highlighting how Paul's missionary work was driven by his passion as a teacher. Early teachers introduced |
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Precept and Practice by W.R. Inge | W.R. Inge emphasizes the value of having one master who embodies a life of wisdom and virtue over a thousand masters who are experts in reading and knowledge. He points out that wh |