Proverbs 17:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A knowledgeable person controls his tongue; a discerning person controls his temper.

Berean Standard Bible:

A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

American Standard Version:

He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He that hath^{H3045} knowledge^{H1847} spareth^{H2820} his words^{H561}: and a man^{H376} of understanding^{H8394} is of an excellent^{{H3368}{H7119}} spirit^{H7307}.

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Commentary for Proverbs 17:27

Proverbs 17:27, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit," encapsulates the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel, where the value of knowledge and self-control is emphasized. This verse reflects the broader context of the book of Proverbs, which is a collection of sayings and instructions intended to impart wisdom and ethical behavior to its readers.

In the historical context, Proverbs was likely compiled during the time of King Solomon, around the 10th century BCE, and continued to be edited and expanded upon well into the post-exilic period. The sayings in Proverbs draw from everyday experiences and observations, reflecting the life and values of the Israelite society.

The themes of this verse include the importance of being thoughtful and intentional with one's speech, suggesting that true wisdom is not only about possessing knowledge but also about knowing when and how to use it. A person with understanding is portrayed as having a "excellent spirit," indicating that wisdom influences one's character, leading to patience, humility, and self-discipline. The verse implies that a wise individual measures their words carefully, understanding the power and consequences of speech, and thus, speaks less frequently but with greater impact.

In essence, Proverbs 17:27 succinctly teaches that wisdom is not just about intellectual capacity but also about emotional intelligence—manifesting in the restraint of one's words and the cultivation of a gentle and respectful demeanor. This teaching would have been particularly relevant in the ancient world, where rhetoric and oration were highly valued, and it remains relevant today, encouraging thoughtful communication and self-awareness in an age of abundant and often reckless speech.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1847
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דַּעַת
   Transliteration: daʻath
   Pronunciation: dah'-ath
   Description: from יָדַע; knowledge; cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly).
   
3. Strong's Number: H2820
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָשַׂךְ
   Transliteration: châsak
   Pronunciation: khaw-sak'
   Description: a primitive root; also interchangeable with חָשַׁךְ; to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe; assuage, [idiom] darken, forbear, hinder, hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare, withhold.
   
4. Strong's Number: H561
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵמֶר
   Transliteration: ʼêmer
   Pronunciation: ay'-mer
   Description: from אָמַר; something said; answer, [idiom] appointed unto him, saying, speech, word.
   
5. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8394
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּבוּן
   Transliteration: tâbûwn
   Pronunciation: taw-boon'
   Description: and (feminine) תְּבוּנָה; or תּוֹבֻנָה; from בִּין; intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice; discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3368
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָקָר
   Transliteration: yâqâr
   Pronunciation: yaw-kawr'
   Description: from יָקַר; valuable (objectively or subjectively); brightness, clear, costly, excellent, fat, honourable women, precious, reputation.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7119
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קַר
   Transliteration: qar
   Pronunciation: kar
   Description: contracted from an unused root meaning to chill; cool; figuratively, quiet; cold, excellent (from the margin).
   
9. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).