Proverbs 15:4
Proverbs 15:4 in Multiple Translations
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
Gentle words are a source of life, but telling lies does a lot of damage.
A wholesome tongue is as a tree of life: but the frowardnes therof is the breaking of ye minde.
A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it — a breach in the spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it is a breach in the spirit.
A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
Those who speak [MTY] kindly to people are like [MET] trees whose fruit gives life; speaking what is false causes people to ◄despair/feel very discouraged►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 15:4
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 15:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַרְפֵּ֣א
לָ֭שׁוֹן
עֵ֣ץ
חַיִּ֑ים
וְ/סֶ֥לֶף
בָּ֝֗/הּ
שֶׁ֣בֶר
בְּ/רֽוּחַ
מַרְפֵּ֣א
marpêʼ
H4832
healing
N-ms
לָ֭שׁוֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs
עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
חַיִּ֑ים
chay
H2416
alive
N-mp
וְ/סֶ֥לֶף
çeleph
H5558
crookedness
Conj | N-ms
בָּ֝֗/הּ
Prep | Suff
שֶׁ֣בֶר
sheber
H7667
breaking
N-ms
בְּ/רֽוּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
Prep | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 15:4
מַרְפֵּ֣א
marpêʼ
H4832
"healing"
N-ms
Means healing or a cure, like medicine. It can also mean deliverance or a state of being calm and peaceful. This word is used in the Bible to describe physical and emotional healing.
Definition: 1) health, healing, cure 1a) healing, cure 1b) health, profit, sound (of mind) 1c) healing 1c1) incurable (with negative)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (in-)cure(-able), healing(-lth), remedy, sound, wholesome, yielding. See also: 2 Chronicles 21:18; Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 4:22.
לָ֭שׁוֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
N-cs
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
חַיִּ֑ים
chay
H2416
"alive"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וְ/סֶ֥לֶף
çeleph
H5558
"crookedness"
Conj | N-ms
Crookedness refers to distortion or viciousness, often describing perverse or unfair actions. It is also translated as perverseness in the KJV.
Definition: crookedness, perverseness, crooked dealing
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: perverseness. See also: Proverbs 11:3; Proverbs 15:4.
בָּ֝֗/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
שֶׁ֣בֶר
sheber
H7667
"breaking"
N-ms
This word describes a breaking or shattering, like a physical injury or a dream being interpreted, and is used to convey ruin or destruction in the Bible.
Definition: 1) breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering 1a) breaking, fracture, shattering, crushing 1b) crashing 1c) breaking (of a dream), interpretation 1d) quarries
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: affliction, breach, breaking, broken(-footed, -handed), bruise, crashing, destruction, hurt, interpretation, vexation. See also: Leviticus 21:19; Jeremiah 6:1; Psalms 60:4.
בְּ/רֽוּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 15:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 15:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 15:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 15:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 15:4
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 15:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
- Sermons on Proverbs 15:4
Context — A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. 6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:18 | Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. |
| 2 | Proverbs 16:24 | Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
| 3 | Proverbs 18:8 | The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. |
| 4 | Malachi 4:2 | “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall. |
| 5 | Proverbs 3:18 | She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed. |
| 6 | Proverbs 18:14 | The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? |
| 7 | Revelation 2:7 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. |
| 8 | Proverbs 26:22 | The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. |
| 9 | Psalms 52:2–4 | Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue. |
| 10 | 1 Timothy 6:3 | If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, |
Proverbs 15:4 Summary
This verse is saying that the way we speak to others can either bring life and comfort or hurt and pain. When we use kind and gentle words, it's like giving someone a gift that brings joy and healing, as seen in Proverbs 16:24. On the other hand, speaking hurtful or mean words can be very damaging and even 'crush the spirit' of someone. By choosing to speak kindly and thoughtfully, we can be a blessing to those around us, just like Jesus teaches us to love and care for one another in John 13:34-35.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'soothing tongue' in Proverbs 15:4?
A soothing tongue refers to the way we speak kindly and gently to others, bringing comfort and peace, as seen in Proverbs 16:24, which says that 'gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones'.
How can a 'perverse tongue' crush the spirit?
A perverse tongue can speak hurtful or deceitful words, causing emotional pain and damaging relationships, as warned in Ephesians 4:29, which instructs us to speak only what is helpful for building others up.
Is this verse only talking about how we speak to others, or does it also apply to our inner thoughts?
While Proverbs 15:4 specifically mentions the tongue, our thoughts and inner dialogue can also have a profound impact on our own spirit and well-being, as seen in Philippians 4:8, which encourages us to think on things that are true, noble, and lovely.
How can we cultivate a 'soothing tongue' in our daily lives?
We can cultivate a soothing tongue by choosing to speak words of kindness, encouragement, and truth, as instructed in Colossians 4:6, which says to 'let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can use my words to bring life and comfort to those around me today?
- How have I used my tongue to hurt or wound others, and what can I do to make amends?
- What are some negative self-talk patterns I can recognize and replace with soothing, gracious words?
- In what situations do I struggle to speak kindly and gently, and how can I ask for God's help in those moments?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life,.... A tongue that delivers out salutary instructions, wholesome advice and counsel; a "healing tongue" (w), as it may be rendered, which pacifies contending
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue, which uttereth sound, and comfortable, and useful counsels, is a tree of life; is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers. Perverseness therein, all sorts of false or corrupt speeches, is a breach in the spirit; disturbs and wounds, and ofttimes corrupts and destroys, the spirits or souls, both of the speaker and hearers.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.Ver. 4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.] As uttering words that have a healing property in them, pure, precious, and profitable; not unlike that tree of life in the midst of God’ s garden, that would have given immortality to the eaters. See August. de Civit. Dei, lib. xv. cap. 20. But perverseness therein is a breach of the spirit.] That is, in the conscience, which it goreth and gasheth; and in the heart, which it defileth and disposeth to further evil: it leaveth both a sting and a stain in a man’ s own soul; besides the much mischief that it doeth to the spirits and manners of other men that are corrupted by it. God’ s Spirit also is not a little grieved and vexed, when the godly man suddenly falls (as sometimes he doth), into bitter words, clamours, and evil speakings: these are even as smoke to the eyes, and make the Spirit of God ready to loathe and leave his lodging, as the apostle intimates, Ephesians 4:30-31. There are those who translate the text, But the mischievousness of it is as a breach made by the wind; and set this sense upon it, As a blustering wind, which throws down trees and houses, doth much harm; so a violent and venomous tongue, causing troubles and calamities, is very pernicious and hurtful. Pray we therefore with David "Deliver me, Lord, from a lying lip, and a deceitful tongue."
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
(4) A wholesome tongue.—One which heals and soothes by its gentleness and judicious words. (Comp. Proverbs 12:18.) A tree of life.—Comp. Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 11:30. Perverseness.—Distortion of the truth. (Comp. Proverbs 11:3.) A breach in the spirit—i.e., deeply wounds another’s spirit.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
Verse 4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life] Here again is an allusion to the paradisiacal tree, עץ חיים ets chaiyim, "the tree of lives."
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 15:4
4. wholesome] See Proverbs 14:30, where the same Heb. word is rendered sound, and note there, and comp. ὑγιαίνοντεςλόγοι, 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13, and λόγοςὑγιής, Titus 2:8. R.V. marg. gives, the healing of (caused by) the tongue. So ἴασιςγλώσσης, LXX.; lingua placabilis, Vulg. a breach in] Better, a breaking of, R.V.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue - literally, as in the margin, the same word as “sound” in Proverbs 14:30 (see the note). A more literal rendering would be soundness of speech. Tree of life - Compare Proverbs 3:18 note.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
4. A wholesome (or healing) tongue — Or, mildness or quietness of tongue; that is, a gentle and quiet manner of speaking. Is a tree of life — A favourite figure in this book.
Sermons on Proverbs 15:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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04 Building Fellowship as Husband & Wife by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of God's order in earthly families as a foundation for building the church. It contrasts the focus on family in the New Testament with the lac |
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The Importance of Our Speech by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of controlling the tongue and being filled with the Holy Spirit. It highlights how the tongue can either be a source of life or a sou |
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A Spirit Controlled Tongue by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of controlling one's tongue in demonstrating true spirituality and Christianity. It highlights how the tongue serves as a powerful in |
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Thoughts in Proverbs Ch 15 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian faith. He shares personal stories of reaching out to people on the ship and how love should be the m |
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Learn From Jesus to Speak Words of Encouragement by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of our speech reflecting what is in our hearts, as Jesus taught that our words reveal the abundance of our hearts. He challenges believers to e |
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The Ninth Commandment by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the Ninth Commandment, which prohibits bearing false witness against our neighbor, extending its meaning beyond perjury to encompass all fo |
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Stop Talking About Evil by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh emphasizes the importance of using words that build up and provide what is needed, rather than harmful words that can cause damage. He warns against the dangers of unre |