Proverbs 18:20

KJV

¶ A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

KJV (with Strong's)

A man's {H376} belly {H990} shall be satisfied {H7646} with the fruit {H6529} of his mouth {H6310}; and with the increase {H8393} of his lips {H8193} shall he be filled {H7646}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A person's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with what his lips produce he will be filled.

Berean Standard Bible

From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

American Standard Version

A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 18:20 articulates a profound principle of spiritual and personal causality, asserting that an individual's deep inner satisfaction and overall fulfillment are a direct, inevitable consequence of their spoken words. Through vivid agricultural metaphors, the proverb illustrates that just as a farmer reaps the harvest they sow, so too will a person experience the tangible and intangible results, whether beneficial or detrimental, of the verbal seeds planted through their mouth and lips. This verse underscores the inherent power of speech to shape one's internal state and external reality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 18:20 is situated within a broader collection of wisdom sayings that consistently emphasize the profound power and consequence of human speech. The Book of Proverbs, as a whole, is replete with admonitions and insights concerning the tongue, contrasting the life-giving potential of wise words with the destructive capacity of foolish or wicked speech. This particular verse reinforces the recurring theme that words are not mere ephemeral sounds but carry substantial weight, shaping one's destiny and inner state. It builds upon earlier proverbs that highlight the direct correlation between one's verbal output and their personal experience, such as the idea that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" found in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of the Tongue"). The immediate context often shifts between various aspects of wisdom, but the focus on speech remains a consistent thread throughout the book, making this verse a quintessential expression of its core message and contributing to the larger discourse on righteous living.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel, like many ancient Near Eastern societies, deeply valued spoken words, viewing them as possessing inherent power. Oaths, blessings, curses, and legal pronouncements were not merely communicative acts but were believed to carry spiritual and material weight, often shaping destinies. In an agrarian society, the imagery of "fruit" and "increase" from one's "mouth" and "lips" would have resonated powerfully, drawing a clear parallel between the tangible results of agricultural labor and the inevitable outcomes of verbal expression. The concept of "belly" (Hebrew: _beṭen_) often extended beyond mere physical sustenance to encompass the inner being, desires, and the very core of one's existence. Thus, being "satisfied" or "filled" by the fruit of one's mouth implied a holistic fulfillment or lack thereof, directly tied to verbal conduct. This cultural understanding underscores that the proverb is not merely about reputation, but about the deep, personal impact of one's own words on their internal state and life experience.

* **Key Themes:** This proverb is a powerful articulation of several key themes prevalent in wisdom literature. Foremost is the **Potency of Speech**, asserting that words are not neutral but are active agents shaping reality. They are presented as a "fruit" or "increase" that one consumes, directly linking verbal output to personal outcome. This ties into the theme of **Retributive Justice** or **Sowing and Reaping**, where one's actions (specifically, one's words) inevitably return to affect the individual. The imagery evokes the principle that "whatever a man sows, that he will also reap," as articulated in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"). Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Personal Accountability**, placing the responsibility for one's inner "satisfaction" or "filling" squarely on the individual's verbal choices. It suggests that the quality of one's life, in a significant measure, is a direct consequence of the words that proceed from their mouth, underscoring the profound moral and spiritual weight of every utterance. This theme is echoed throughout Proverbs, such as in [Proverbs 13:3](/proverbs/13-3 "Proverbs 13:3 - Guarding One's Mouth"), which warns that guarding one's mouth preserves life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **belly (Hebrew, _beṭen'_):** While literally referring to the stomach, this term frequently extends metaphorically to signify the inner being, the seat of desires, emotions, and the very core of a person's life and sustenance. Thus, being "satisfied" in one's "belly" implies a deep, internal fulfillment or lack thereof, rather than merely physical hunger. It speaks to the holistic well-being and contentment derived from one's life's harvest, encompassing spiritual, emotional, and psychological states.
* **fruit (Hebrew, _pᵉrîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be fruitful," this word denotes the natural outcome, product, or yield. In the context of the mouth, it refers to the direct result or consequence of spoken words. Just as a tree produces fruit that is consumed, so too do words produce a tangible "harvest" that the speaker will inevitably partake of, highlighting the inherent productivity and consequence of speech.
* **satisfied (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to sate" or "fill to satisfaction," whether literally (with food) or figuratively (with experience). It conveys the idea of having enough, being completely full, or having plenty. When applied to the "belly" and the "fruit of the mouth," it indicates that one's deepest needs and desires will be met, or conversely, that one will be overwhelmed by the consequences of their words, experiencing either profound contentment or bitter satiety. This term underscores the completeness of the outcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;":** This clause establishes the primary metaphor, linking internal satisfaction ("belly shall be satisfied") directly to the outcome of one's speech ("the fruit of his mouth"). The "belly" here represents the inner person, their desires, and their overall well-being. "Fruit" signifies the natural, inevitable product or consequence. Thus, the words a person speaks are depicted as seeds that grow into a harvest, and that harvest will be the very thing that fills and satisfies (or dissatisfies) their inner life. Good words yield good fruit, leading to satisfaction; harmful words yield bitter fruit, leading to distress.
* **"and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.":** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallelism, reiterating and reinforcing the truth of the first clause using slightly different but equivalent terms. "Increase" (Hebrew: _tᵉbûwʼâh_) refers to the yield or revenue from a crop, further solidifying the agricultural imagery. "Lips" are a synecdoche for speech itself, representing the instrument of verbal expression. The phrase "shall he be filled" (using the same Hebrew root as "satisfied," _sâbaʻ_) emphasizes the completeness and inevitability of the outcome. The combined clauses powerfully convey that the totality of one's verbal output will become the very substance that defines and fills their life experience, whether for good or ill.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 18:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where speech is likened to agricultural produce—"fruit of his mouth" and "increase of his lips." This vivid imagery transforms abstract concepts (words and their consequences) into concrete, tangible realities (harvest and sustenance), making the proverb highly relatable and impactful, especially in an agrarian society. The verse also utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, where the second clause ("and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first clause ("A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth") using different but equivalent terms. This repetition deepens the emphasis on the inescapable connection between speech and personal outcome. Furthermore, there is a subtle form of **Synecdoche**, where "mouth" and "lips" stand in for the entire act of speaking, highlighting the specific organs involved in verbal expression as the source of this "fruit" or "increase."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb stands as a cornerstone of biblical wisdom regarding the power of the tongue, echoing a consistent theological theme throughout Scripture: words are not inert, but carry creative and destructive power, shaping both the speaker's destiny and the world around them. From creation itself, where God speaks the cosmos into existence, to the prophetic utterances that shape nations, the Bible consistently affirms the potent reality of speech. This principle extends to human beings, made in God's image, whose words reflect their inner character and ultimately determine their experience of life's satisfaction or emptiness. The proverb calls for a profound awareness of the spiritual weight of every utterance, recognizing that our verbal output is a seedbed for our future, directly impacting our internal state and external circumstances.

* [Proverbs 12:14](/proverbs/12-14 "Proverbs 12:14 - Fruit of the Mouth and Hands")
* [Matthew 12:37](/matthew/12-37 "Matthew 12:37 - Justified or Condemned by Words")
* [James 3:6-8](/james/3-6-8 "James 3:6-8 - The Untamable Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 18:20 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine the quality of our inner life by reflecting on the words that proceed from our mouths. If our "belly" (our inner being, our sense of fulfillment and peace) is lacking, this proverb suggests we must first look to the "fruit of our mouth." Do we speak words of life, encouragement, truth, and grace, or do we habitually engage in gossip, criticism, negativity, or deceit? Our words are not just communication tools; they are active agents that shape our reality, influencing our relationships, our reputation, and our own psychological and spiritual well-being. This verse compels us to cultivate intentional, righteous speech, recognizing that every utterance is a seed sown into the field of our future. To experience true satisfaction and inner fullness, we must consciously choose to speak words that align with God's wisdom and character, thereby cultivating a harvest of blessing for ourselves and for others, leading to a life characterized by genuine contentment and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What kind of "fruit" are my words predominantly producing in my own life and in the lives of those around me?**
* **In what areas of my life do I feel a lack of "satisfaction" or "filling," and how might my habitual speech patterns be contributing to that emptiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to become more mindful and intentional about the words I speak, particularly in challenging situations?**
* **How does understanding the profound power of my words impact my prayer life, my declarations of faith, and my witness to others?**

### FAQ
**Does "belly" only refer to physical hunger in this proverb?**

Answer: No, while "belly" (Hebrew: _beṭen_) can literally refer to the physical stomach, in this proverb and many other biblical contexts, it carries a deeper metaphorical meaning. It often signifies the inner being, the seat of desires, emotions, and the very core of a person's life and sustenance. Therefore, "satisfied with the fruit of his mouth" implies a holistic fulfillment or lack thereof, addressing one's spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being, not just physical hunger. It suggests that one's deepest needs and desires will be met (or not met) by the results of their words. This broader meaning is consistent with other wisdom literature that speaks of the heart or inner person as the source of life's issues, as seen in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart").

**How does this proverb relate to the idea of "speaking things into existence"?**

Answer: This proverb strongly supports the idea that words have creative power, though not in the sense of creating something out of nothing (which is God's prerogative). Rather, it emphasizes that our words are like seeds that, once sown, will inevitably produce a harvest in our lives. If we speak words of encouragement, truth, and faith, we are sowing seeds that can yield positive "fruit"—stronger relationships, a good reputation, inner peace, and a sense of fulfillment. Conversely, if we speak words of negativity, slander, or deceit, we are sowing seeds that will yield bitter "increase"—conflict, isolation, and dissatisfaction. It's about shaping one's personal reality and environment through the consistent output of one's lips, a principle echoed by Jesus in [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart"), where He states that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 18:20, with its emphasis on the life-shaping power of words and the satisfaction derived from them, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the **Word made flesh** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the very embodiment of divine speech. Unlike human words that can be both life-giving and destructive, every word from Jesus' mouth was pure, truthful, and saturated with life. He declared, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Spirit and Life")). Through His words, He brought healing, forgiveness, and eternal life, satisfying the deepest longings of humanity's "belly" or inner being. The "fruit" of His mouth was the gospel, which, when received, fills believers with a satisfaction that the world cannot give ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")). Furthermore, as believers, we are called to speak words that reflect Christ, letting our speech be "always with grace, seasoned with salt" ([Colossians 4:6](/colossians/4-6 "Colossians 4:6 - Gracious Speech")). When we speak words of faith, love, and truth, we are partaking in the divine nature of the Word, and the "increase of our lips" becomes a testament to the filling of the Holy Spirit within us, leading to true and lasting satisfaction found only in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 25:11

¶ A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:12

[As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Proverbs 12:13

¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Proverbs 12:14

¶ A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

Proverbs 13:2

¶ A man shall eat good by the fruit of [his] mouth: but the soul of the transgressors [shall eat] violence.

Proverbs 22:18

For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

Proverbs 22:21

That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?