King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
Complete Jewish Bible:
A fool's mouth is his ruin; his words are a trap for him.
Berean Standard Bible:
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
American Standard Version:
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
A fool's{H3684} mouth{H6310} is his destruction{H4288}, and his lips{H8193} are the snare{H4170} of his soul{H5315}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 13:3
- ¶ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 10:14
- ¶ Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.
Proverbs 12:13
- ¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
Psalms 140:9
- [As for] the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
Psalms 64:8
- So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
Acts 23:14
- And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Acts 23:22
- So the chief captain [then] let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 18:7
18:7 is a verse from the Book of Proverbs, which is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. This collection of sayings is attributed to Solomon, the third king of Israel, and is known for its pithy aphorisms that reflect on human behavior and offer guidance for living wisely.
The historical context of Proverbs is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where the sharing of practical insights was highly valued. These proverbs were likely compiled over centuries and used for the education of young men, particularly those being groomed for leadership and administrative roles.
The theme of Proverbs 18:7 is the destructive power of careless speech. The verse succinctly states, "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." This proverb highlights the idea that a person's words can have profound, often irrevocable consequences. The "fool" here is not merely someone who lacks intelligence but rather one who acts without prudence or consideration for wisdom and its outcomes. The verse suggests that such a person's downfall is self-inflicted through their own spoken words, which can trap or ensnare them in a manner that harms their reputation, relationships, and overall well-being.
In essence, Proverbs 18:7 serves as a warning about the importance of being cautious with one's speech. It emphasizes that self-control and thoughtfulness in communication are essential qualities for navigating life successfully. The verse reflects the broader wisdom tradition's concern with the ethical and practical dimensions of speech, urging individuals to weigh their words carefully to avoid self-destructive outcomes.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3684
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּסִיל
Transliteration: kᵉçîyl
Pronunciation: kes-eel'
Description: from כָּסַל; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly; fool(-ish). - Strong's Number: H6310
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּה
Transliteration: peh
Pronunciation: peh
Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; 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. - Strong's Number: H4288
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְחִתָּה
Transliteration: mᵉchittâh
Pronunciation: mekh-it-taw'
Description: from חָתָה; properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation; destruction, dismaying, ruin, terror. - Strong's Number: H8193
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂפָה
Transliteration: sâphâh
Pronunciation: saw-faw'
Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.); band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. - Strong's Number: H4170
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹקֵשׁ
Transliteration: môwqêsh
Pronunciation: mo-kashe'
Description: or מֹקֵשׁ; from יָקֹשׁ; a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose); be ensnared, gin, (is) snare(-d), trap. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.