Proverbs 4:24

KJV

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Put away {H5493} from thee a froward {H6143} mouth {H6310}, and perverse {H3891} lips {H8193} put far {H7368} from thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Keep crooked speech out of your mouth, banish deceit from your lips.

Berean Standard Bible

Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

American Standard Version

Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 4:24 issues a powerful, dual imperative for the believer to exercise stringent self-control over their speech, demanding the active removal and thorough distancing of any communication that is crooked, deceitful, or morally distorted. This admonition is presented as an indispensable element of cultivating a life of wisdom and integrity, emphasizing that the words one speaks are a profound reflection of inner character and a critical determinant of one's life trajectory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a significant section of paternal instruction in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 4:1-27), where a wise father passionately urges his son to embrace wisdom as the paramount pursuit in life. This wisdom is depicted as a vital guide, offering protection and leading to life. Specifically, Proverbs 4:24 immediately follows the pivotal command in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart"), which instructs the reader to "keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This deliberate sequencing establishes a profound theological link: the words that emanate from one's mouth are understood as a direct and undeniable manifestation of the heart's condition. Consequently, the discipline of controlling one's speech is not merely an outward behavioral modification but an essential indicator of inner purity and wisdom, integral to walking the "path of the just" ([Proverbs 4:18](/proverbs/4-18 "Proverbs 4:18 - The Path of the Just")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near Eastern world, and particularly within Israelite society, speech was imbued with immense power and profound significance. Words were often perceived to possess a tangible, almost performative, impact, capable of either constructing or demolishing, bestowing blessings or invoking curses. Oaths, blessings, and curses were not viewed as mere utterances but as potent acts with real-world consequences, shaping destinies and relationships. Within the patriarchal family structure prevalent in ancient Israel, the father's wisdom served as the foundational bedrock for his son's success, reputation, and overall well-being within the community. Deceitful, twisted, or "perverse" speech could lead to severe social ostracization, legal repercussions, and a damaged reputation, thereby undermining the very fabric of communal trust and harmony. This deep cultural understanding elevates the gravity of the proverb's command, underscoring that maintaining absolute integrity in speech was paramount for social cohesion and individual flourishing.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 4:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes that permeate the book of Proverbs and the broader corpus of biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **the centrality of wisdom** as the guiding principle that should inform and direct every facet of life, including the critical domain of communication. Secondly, the verse highlights the **intrinsic and inseparable link between the heart and speech**, a profound concept echoed consistently throughout Scripture, asserting that genuine transformation originates internally within the heart and subsequently expresses itself externally through one's words. Thirdly, this proverb underscores the **moral responsibility of the individual** to actively and deliberately choose righteousness, particularly in the realm of speech, recognizing the immense and often destructive potential of the tongue. This aligns seamlessly with the broader biblical call to walk in the "way of wisdom" and conscientiously avoid the perilous "path of the wicked" ([Proverbs 4:14](/proverbs/4-14 "Proverbs 4:14 - Avoid the Path of the Wicked")). Finally, it emphatically reiterates the **power of words** themselves, a recurring and central motif in Proverbs, vividly illustrating how they possess the capacity to bring forth either life or death, blessing or ruin ([Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of the Tongue")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Froward (Hebrew, _ʻiqqᵉshûwth'_):** Derived from the root `עִקֵּשׁ`, this term fundamentally denotes "perversity." When applied to a "mouth," it describes speech that is not straightforward or honest, but rather twisted, crooked, or morally distorted. It implies a deliberate bending of truth or a devious intent behind the words, indicating communication that is not upright.
* **Perverse (Hebrew, _lᵉzûwth'_):** This word originates from `לוּז` and signifies "perverseness." Similar in essence to "froward," it points to speech that is morally corrupt, false, or deviates from what is right. It encompasses any form of communication that lacks integrity and truth, often with harmful or misleading implications.
* **Put away (Hebrew, _çûyr'_):** This primitive root means "to turn off (literal or figurative)." In this imperative context, it commands decisive action, urging the individual to actively separate themselves from or cause to depart the "froward mouth." It signifies not passive avoidance but an intentional, forceful rejection and removal of such harmful speech.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Put away from thee a froward mouth,"**: This opening clause issues a direct, authoritative, and imperative command to the individual. The phrase "a froward mouth" represents speech that is crooked, deceitful, or morally twisted, indicating communication that is not honest or straightforward. The instruction "put away from thee" signifies an active, intentional, and decisive removal or rejection of such verbal habits. It implies a conscious and diligent effort to cleanse one's communication patterns and to disassociate oneself entirely from any form of dishonest, misleading, or malicious utterance.
* **"and perverse lips put far from thee."**: This second clause serves to reiterate and intensify the command presented in the first, employing a powerful synonymous parallelism. "Perverse lips" refers to speech that is morally distorted, corrupt, or false, reinforcing the idea of communication that deviates from truth and integrity. The phrase "put far from thee" amplifies the necessity of complete separation and thorough distancing from such harmful words. The strategic repetition underscores the urgency and the comprehensive nature of the purity required in purging one's life of crooked and deceitful speech, highlighting that one's words are a direct manifestation of one's inner being and a critical component of one's moral integrity and wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 4:24 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message with clarity and impact. **Synonymous Parallelism** is a prominent feature, where the second line, "and perverse lips put far from thee," echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first line, "Put away from thee a froward mouth." This repetition not only reinforces the core command for verbal purity but also broadens its scope, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the required ethical communication. The use of **Metonymy** is evident in the phrases "froward mouth" and "perverse lips," where the physical organs of speech (mouth, lips) stand in for the speech itself and, by extension, the character and intentions it reveals. This device vividly personifies the source of harmful words, making the admonition more concrete. Furthermore, the imperative verbs "put away" and "put far" create a strong sense of **Urgency** and **Direct Address**, making the admonition intensely personal and demanding immediate, decisive action from the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 4:24 stands as a profound theological declaration on the sanctity of truth and the inherently destructive nature of deceit, underscoring that speech is far more than a mere functional tool; it is a moral instrument with immense spiritual weight. The emphatic command to "put away" and "put far" from oneself twisted and perverse words highlights God's unwavering demand for integrity and truthfulness in all forms of communication, thereby reflecting His own immutable character as the very essence of truth. This proverb seamlessly aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on internal purity inevitably leading to external righteousness, asserting that genuine, God-given wisdom invariably manifests itself through wholesome, truthful, and edifying speech. It positions the diligent control of the tongue as a fundamental and indispensable aspect of walking in God's righteous ways and cultivating a life that consistently honors Him in every interaction.

* [Psalm 34:13](/psalm/34-13 "Psalm 34:13 - Guarding the Tongue from Evil")
* [Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Speaking What is Good for Edification")
* [James 1:26](/james/1-26 "James 1:26 - True Religion and the Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 4:24 serves as a timeless and incisive mirror, inviting us to engage in a critical and honest examination of the words we speak and, more profoundly, the intentions and attitudes that lie beneath them. In our contemporary world, saturated with instantaneous digital communication where words can spread globally in mere moments, the ancient call to "put away... a froward mouth" resonates with unprecedented urgency. This proverb challenges us to meticulously consider whether our daily speech is consistently characterized by truthfulness, edification, and purity, or if it is regrettably prone to gossip, slander, exaggeration, manipulation, or unkindness. It compels us to recognize that our words are never inconsequential; rather, they are powerful, living tools that possess the profound capacity to build up or tear down, to bring life or inflict deep harm. True wisdom, therefore, is not merely demonstrated in what we intellectually know, but profoundly in how we communicate, demanding constant vigilance, intentional self-discipline, and an unwavering commitment to aligning both our hearts and our mouths with divine truth and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life (e.g., social media interactions, family discussions, professional communications) am I most tempted to use "froward" or "perverse" speech?**
* **What does my habitual speech pattern reveal about the true condition of my heart, as suggested by the broader context of [Proverbs 4](/proverbs/4 "Proverbs 4 - The Call to Wisdom")?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I commit to taking today to actively "put away" and "put far from me" any forms of communication that do not honor God, edify others, or reflect Christ-like integrity?**

### FAQ
**What does "froward mouth" and "perverse lips" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In Proverbs 4:24, "froward mouth" (from Hebrew _ʻiqqᵉshûwth'_) refers to speech that is twisted, crooked, or deceitful. It implies a deliberate deviation from truth or straightforwardness, often with malicious intent or a desire to mislead. This can include lying, misrepresenting facts, or speaking in a way that is not honest. "Perverse lips" (from Hebrew _lᵉzûwth'_) carries a very similar meaning, emphasizing speech that is morally distorted, corrupt, or false. This encompasses slander, gossip, backbiting, or any form of communication that deviates from integrity and truth. Together, these phrases condemn any form of communication that is dishonest, manipulative, harmful, or designed to cause confusion or lead others astray. The proverb is a strong call for absolute integrity and purity in all verbal expressions, reflecting the ancient understanding that words carry significant power and moral weight, shaping both individual character and communal well-being, as highlighted throughout [the book of Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 4:24, with its profound emphasis on the purity and integrity of speech, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest redemptive meaning in the person and perfect teachings of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament wisdom tradition calls for the individual to diligently guard their mouth, Jesus unveils the true, spiritual source of all speech: the heart. He unequivocally declared, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" ([Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Words from the Heart")). This divine insight directly links the "froward mouth" and "perverse lips" to an unregenerate or corrupted heart, underscoring that genuine transformation of speech can only begin with an inner spiritual renewal. Jesus Himself perfectly exemplified pure and truthful speech throughout His earthly ministry, never uttering a deceitful, perverse, or unholy word ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Example")). Through His atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, believers are granted a new heart and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, thereby enabling them to "put away" the old self and its corrupt, "froward" speech, and instead speak words that are "good for edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")). Thus, the ancient call in Proverbs 4:24 is ultimately fulfilled in the Christian's ongoing journey of sanctification, empowered by Christ to align their words with His divine truth and grace, reflecting the very character of the One who is the living Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")).

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 8:8

All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them.

James 1:26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.

Ephesians 4:25

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

James 1:21

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

1 Peter 2:1

¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,