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Proverbs 23:16

Proverbs 23:16 in Multiple Translations

My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things.

And my thoughts in me will be full of joy when your lips say right things.

I'll be delighted when you say what's right.

And my reynes shall reioyce, when thy lips speake righteous things.

And my reins exult when thy lips speak uprightly.

Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Yes, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips shall speak what is right.

I [SYN] will rejoice when I hear you [SYN] say what is right/wise.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 23:16

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 23:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/תַעְלֹ֥זְנָה כִלְיוֹתָ֑/י בְּ/דַבֵּ֥ר שְׂ֝פָתֶ֗י/ךָ מֵישָׁרִֽים
וְ/תַעְלֹ֥זְנָה ʻâlaz H5937 to exult Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
כִלְיוֹתָ֑/י kilyâh H3629 kidney N-fp | Suff
בְּ/דַבֵּ֥ר dâbar H1696 to speak Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
שְׂ֝פָתֶ֗י/ךָ sâphâh H8193 lips N-fd | Suff
מֵישָׁרִֽים mêyshâr H4339 uprightness N-mp
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 23:16

וְ/תַעְלֹ֥זְנָה ʻâlaz H5937 "to exult" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
To exult means to jump for joy or rejoice triumphantly. It is used in the Bible to describe feelings of great happiness or celebration, like in Psalm 108:7 where it says God will exult over his people.
Definition: (Qal) to exult, rejoice, triumph
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: be joyful, rejoice, triumph. See also: 2 Samuel 1:20; Proverbs 23:16; Psalms 28:7.
כִלְיוֹתָ֑/י kilyâh H3629 "kidney" N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the kidneys, which were considered essential organs, and also symbolized the mind and emotions. It appears in passages like Psalm 7:9 and Revelation 2:23. The kidneys were thought to be the seat of feelings and affections.
Definition: 1) kidneys 1a) of physical organ (lit.) 1b) of seat of emotion and affection (fig.) 1c) of sacrificial animals 2) (TWOT) reins
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: kidneys, reins. See also: Exodus 29:13; Job 19:27; Psalms 7:10.
בְּ/דַבֵּ֥ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
שְׂ֝פָתֶ֗י/ךָ sâphâh H8193 "lips" N-fd | Suff
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.
מֵישָׁרִֽים mêyshâr H4339 "uprightness" N-mp
Uprightness refers to being fair and just, as seen in the Bible. It can also mean smoothness or straightness, often used to describe doing things rightly.
Definition: 1) evenness, uprightness, straightness, equity 1a) evenness, level, smoothness 1b) uprightness, equity 1c) rightly (as adv)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: agreement, aright, that are equal, equity, (things that are) right(-eously, things), sweetly, upright(-ly, -ness). See also: 1 Chronicles 29:17; Proverbs 2:9; Psalms 9:9.

Study Notes — Proverbs 23:16

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Proverbs 8:6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
2 Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
3 James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
4 Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
5 Colossians 4:4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

Proverbs 23:16 Summary

This verse means that when we speak the truth and do what is right, it brings deep joy to those who care about us, especially our parents or mentors. It's like our words are a gift to them, showing that we value and respect their teachings. As it says in Proverbs 10:32, 'the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable', and speaking what is right is a way to honor God and others, as seen in Colossians 3:8-10. By choosing our words carefully, we can bring happiness to those around us and reflect the character of God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for one's 'inmost being' to rejoice?

This phrase refers to the deepest, most intimate part of a person, and when it rejoices, it means they are experiencing a profound sense of joy and satisfaction, as seen in Psalms 16:9 and Psalm 30:11-12.

How can I ensure my lips speak what is right?

To speak what is right, one must be rooted in the truth of God's Word, as stated in Psalms 119:103, and guided by the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 16:13.

Why is it important for a parent's heart to rejoice in their child's righteousness?

A parent's heart rejoices when their child walks in righteousness because it reflects the parent's own heart for God, as seen in Proverbs 10:1, and demonstrates the effectiveness of their parenting and discipleship, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:4.

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of parenting in Proverbs?

This verse highlights the importance of teaching children to speak and act righteously, as emphasized throughout the book of Proverbs, such as in Proverbs 22:6, and demonstrates the joy and satisfaction that comes from seeing them grow in wisdom and character.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can cultivate a heart that speaks what is right, and how can I encourage others to do the same?
  2. How does the knowledge that my words have the power to bring joy or sorrow to others impact my interactions with them?
  3. In what ways can I use my words to build up and edify those around me, as instructed in Ephesians 4:29?
  4. What are some common pitfalls or temptations that can lead me to speak what is not right, and how can I guard against them?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 23:16

Yea, my reins shall rejoice,.... Which is only another phrase expressive of the same thing, and confirming the greatness of joy on the above occasion; not only his heart rejoiced, which was

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 23:16

Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Yea, my reins (the seat of the affections) shall rejoice when thy lips speak right things.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 23:16

I shall rejoice not only in show and profession, but inwardly, and with all my soul.

Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 23:16

(16) My reins shall rejoice.—These being represented in Hebrew poetry as the seat of the deepest affections, answering to “heart” in Proverbs 23:15. (Comp. Psalms 7:9; Jeremiah 12:2; Revelation 2:23.)

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 23:16

15, 16. Heart and reins are used interchangeably. Cp. Psalms 16:7; Psalms 17:3.

Sermons on Proverbs 23:16

SermonDescription
Art Katz Prudence: The Discipline of Godly Speech by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of developing the skill of wisdom and prudence. The speaker highlights that God's intention for all mankind is to live in peac
Zac Poonen (Proverbs) ch.6:12 - 8:21 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of young people not realizing their need for God. He emphasizes the importance of humility and acknowledging one's need for God's gu
Phil Johnson Sound Doctrine, Sound Words by Phil Johnson This sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity, purity, and sound speech in ministry, contrasting the trend of using profanity and lewd content in preaching. It highl
Tim Conway How Do You Represent Christ on Facebook? Tim Conway by Tim Conway This sermon addresses the importance of how our actions, words, and associations, especially on social media like Facebook, reflect our true identity as Christians. It emphasizes t
Ray Brubaker The Bible on Sin by Ray Brubaker In this sermon, Ray Brubaker discusses the concept of sin and its consequences. He highlights that sin is the fundamental cause of divisions in society and the woes of the world. B
Samuel Logan Brengle Letting the Truth Slip by Samuel Logan Brengle Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the necessity of diligently seeking and holding onto the truth of God, warning that it can easily slip away if not earnestly guarded. He illustrates
J.R. Miller The Home Conversation by J.R. Miller J.R. Miller emphasizes the critical role of conversation in the home, arguing that while families invest in physical comforts and education, they often neglect the power of their w

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