Proverbs 11:11
Proverbs 11:11 in Multiple Translations
By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
By the blessing of the upright man the town is made great, but it is overturned by the mouth of the evil-doer.
Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.
By the blessing of the righteous, the citie is exalted: but it is subuerted by the mouth of the wicked.
By the blessing of the upright is a city exalted, And by the mouth of the wicked thrown down.
By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.
When righteous people request God to bless a city, that city will become great, but cities are ruined by what wicked people say [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 11:11
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 11:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/בִרְכַּ֣ת
יְ֭שָׁרִים
תָּר֣וּם
קָ֑רֶת
וּ/בְ/פִ֥י
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים
תֵּהָרֵֽס
בְּ/בִרְכַּ֣ת
Bᵉrâkâh
H1293
blessing
Prep | N-fs
יְ֭שָׁרִים
yâshâr
H3477
Jashar
Adj
תָּר֣וּם
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
קָ֑רֶת
qereth
H7176
town
N-fs
וּ/בְ/פִ֥י
peh
H6310
lip
Conj | Prep | N-ms
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
תֵּהָרֵֽס
hâraç
H2040
to overthrow
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
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 11:11
בְּ/בִרְכַּ֣ת
Bᵉrâkâh
H1293
"blessing"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, a blessing is a gift from God, bringing prosperity and praise. It appears in Genesis and Psalms, where people bless God and each other. This concept is central to Jewish and Christian traditions.
Definition: 1) blessing 2) (source of) blessing 3) blessing, prosperity 4) blessing, praise of God 5) a gift, present 6) treaty of peace
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: blessing, liberal, pool, present. See also: Genesis 12:2; 2 Kings 5:15; Psalms 3:9.
יְ֭שָׁרִים
yâshâr
H3477
"Jashar"
Adj
Jashar refers to being straight or just, like doing what is convenient and right. A man named Jashar lived before Israel's monarchy, as mentioned in Joshua 10:13. He wrote a book of poetry and songs, now lost.
Definition: A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.10.13
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), [phrase] pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness). See also: Exodus 15:26; Psalms 32:11; Psalms 7:11.
תָּר֣וּם
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
קָ֑רֶת
qereth
H7176
"town"
N-fs
This word means a city or town, a place where people live and work together. It is used to describe various cities in the Bible, including Jerusalem. The KJV translates it as 'city'.
Definition: city, town
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: city. See also: Job 29:7; Proverbs 9:3; Proverbs 8:3.
וּ/בְ/פִ֥י
peh
H6310
"lip"
Conj | Prep | 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.
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
תֵּהָרֵֽס
hâraç
H2040
"to overthrow"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to overthrow or destroy something, like breaking down a wall or throwing something to the ground. It is used to describe God's power and judgment.
Definition: 1) to tear down, break down, overthrow, beat down, break, break through, destroy, pluck down, pull down, throw down, ruined, destroyer, utterly 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to throw down, tear down 1a2) to break through 1a3) to break down, break away 1b) (Niphal) to be torn down, be thrown down 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to overthrow, tear down 1c2) destroyer (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: beat down, break (down, through), destroy, overthrow, pluck down, pull down, ruin, throw down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Exodus 15:7; Isaiah 49:17; Psalms 11:3.
Study Notes — Proverbs 11:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 11:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:11
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
- Sermons on Proverbs 11:11
Context — Dishonest Scales
9With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent. 13A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 14:34 | Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
| 2 | Proverbs 29:8 | Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. |
| 3 | James 3:6 | The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 9:15 | Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 32:20–22 | In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer, and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword. So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hands of King Sennacherib of Assyria and all the others, and He gave them rest on every side. |
| 6 | Job 22:30 | He will deliver even one who is not innocent, rescuing him through the cleanness of your hands.” |
| 7 | Genesis 41:38–42 | So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 20:1 | Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” |
| 9 | Genesis 45:8 | Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. |
| 10 | Esther 3:8–15 | Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.” So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.” On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day. The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion. |
Proverbs 11:11 Summary
According to Proverbs 11:11, when good people live in a city and speak blessings, the city is built up and becomes a better place to live. But when wicked people speak evil, the city is torn down and becomes a harder place to live. This is because our words have power, as seen in Proverbs 18:21, where it says that the tongue has the power of life and death. By speaking words of kindness and truth, we can help build up our communities and bring joy to those around us, just like in Psalm 133:1, where it says that it is good and pleasant when brothers dwell together in unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a city to be 'built up' in Proverbs 11:11?
This phrase refers to the prosperity and well-being of a community, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:18, where God commands the Israelites to take possession of the land and do what is right in His sight, resulting in their good and the good of their cities.
How can the 'mouth of the wicked' tear a city down?
The mouth of the wicked can tear a city down through gossip, slander, and other forms of evil speech, as described in Proverbs 10:32, where the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things, and in Ephesians 4:29, where believers are exhorted to speak only what is helpful for building others up.
What is the 'blessing of the upright' that builds a city up?
The blessing of the upright refers to the positive influence and impact that righteous people have on their community, as seen in Proverbs 10:6-7, where the memory of the righteous is blessed, and in Psalm 37:37, where the future of the man of peace is blessed.
How can I, as a believer, contribute to building up my city?
As a believer, you can contribute to building up your city by living a life of integrity, speaking words of encouragement and truth, and seeking the good of your community, as exhorted in Jeremiah 29:7 and Matthew 5:16.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can use my words to build up those around me, rather than tearing them down?
- How can I be a source of blessing and encouragement to my community, like the upright in Proverbs 11:11?
- What are some 'wicked' words or behaviors that I need to repent of, in order to build up rather than tear down?
- How can I seek the good of my city, like the Israelites were commanded to do in Jeremiah 29:7?
- What would happen if all believers in my city began to live out the principles of Proverbs 11:11, speaking blessings and living uprightly?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,.... That is, either by the blessings with which they are blessed; and these are either temporal or spiritual: when good men are blessed with
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
By the blessing of the upright, where with they bless the city, to wit, by their sincere prayers, and wise and wholesome counsels. By the mouth of the wicked; by their curses, and oaths, and blasphemies, and wicked and pernicious counsels, whereby they both provoke God, and mislead men to their own ruin.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
Proverbs 11:11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.Ver. 11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted.] This is given in as a reason of that public joy in the welfare of the just, because they are of public spirits, and will by their good deeds, good doctrines, good counsels, and good prayers, promote the public good to their utmost. Catonis mores eraut - toti genitum se credere mundo. Saints are "clouds" that water the earth, as a common blessing. But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.] Whether he be a seedsman of sedition or a seducer of the people, a Sheba or a Shebna, a carnal gospeller or a godless politician, whose drift is to formalise and enervate the power of truth, till at length they leave us a heartless and sapless religion. "One of these sinners may destroy much good." Lucan.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
(11) By the blessing of the upright.—Especially by their prayers, which, like Abraham (Genesis 18:23, sqq.), and the Jews of the captivity (Jeremiah 29:7; Ezra 6:10) they offer for those with whom they live. By the mouth of the wicked—i.e., by the “cursing, deceit, and fraud” with which his mouth is filled (Psalms 10:7). He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour.—A warning against rash judgments (Matthew 7:1-2). It displays a want of intelligence, very noticeable in uneducated people, not to be able to understand other people’s difficulties; but “a man of understanding holdeth his peace,” not being rash to condemn, as well knowing that he may be mistaken in his estimate of another, and of the wisest course to be pursued.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:11
11. the blessing of the upright] This may mean either the blessing enjoyed by them, their prosperity (as in Proverbs 11:10); or the blessing bestowed by them, by their prayers and presence (Genesis 18:26; Genesis 39:5).
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:11
The blessing of the upright - Probably the prayers which he offers for the good of the city in which he dwells, and which avail to preserve it from destruction (compare Genesis 18:23-33); or “the
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:11
11. By the blessing of the upright — Meaning, probably, the blessing which they are to the city by their example, prudent advice, devotion to the public welfare, prayers, etc.
Sermons on Proverbs 11:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Abortion: Attitudes for Action by Melody Green | Melody Green preaches about the story of David and Goliath, drawing parallels to the modern-day giant of abortion that has paralyzed the Army of God through fear and intimidation. |
|
Prohibition (Edited) by Billy Sunday | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the negative impact of excessive taxation on alcohol in America. He argues that the government's decision to impose a $2 tax on whiskey and |
|
Turning the Tide - Part 1 by Charles Stanley | This sermon emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings throughout history to avoid the consequences of disobedience. It reflects on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden |
|
Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 1 by Alan Cairns | This sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning between different sins and understanding that while all sin is damnable, not all sin is equal. It encourages believers to engage |
|
National Religious Apostasy (4) by Albert N. Martin | In this sermon on "God's Word to Our Nation," the speaker focuses on the theme of righteousness and sin in relation to a nation. The key scripture used is Proverbs 14:34, which sta |
|
|
Open Air Meeting - Part 2 by Billy Sunday | This sermon addresses the presence of bootleggers, moonshiners, and moral decay in society, emphasizing the importance of upholding moral values and the role of faith in God and Je |
|
|
Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 6 by Alan Cairns | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not forgetting the innocent bloodshed and the consequences of a nation turning away from God's covenant mercies. It warns against being div |