Proverbs 16:21

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לַחֲכַם־לֵ֭ב יִקָּרֵ֣א נָב֑וֹן וּמֶ֥תֶק שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃

Transliteration

To-ḥăkam-lēḇ yiqqārēʾ nāḇôn and-meteq śᵉpātayim yōsîp leqaḥ

Grammar Details

• *lᵉ*: preposition - to
• *ḥăkam*: adjective, masculine, singular construct - wise of
• *lēḇ*: noun, masculine, singular - heart
• *yiqqārēʾ*: verb, Niphal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - he will be called
• *nāḇôn*: adjective, masculine, singular - discerning/understanding
• *wᵉ*: conjunction - and
• *meteq*: noun, masculine, singular construct - sweetness of
• *śᵉpātayim*: noun, feminine, dual - lips
• *yōsîp*: verb, Hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - increases/adds
• *leqaḥ*: noun, masculine, singular - learning/teaching/persuasiveness

Word Meanings

• *ḥăkam-lēḇ*: wise of heart/wise-hearted person
• *meteq śᵉpātayim*: sweetness of lips/pleasant speech
• *leqaḥ*: learning/teaching/persuasiveness/influence

Referenced Verses

• Prov 16:23-24 : 23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
• Isa 50:4 : 4 The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.
• Luke 4:22 : 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
• John 7:46 : 46 The officers answered, Never man so spake.
• 1 Kgs 3:12 : 12 behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
• Ps 45:2 : 2 Thou art fairer than the children of men; Grace is poured into thy lips: Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
• Prov 15:7 : 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
• Prov 10:8 : 8 The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
• Prov 23:15 : 15 My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine:
• Prov 27:9 : 9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man's friend [that cometh] of hearty counsel.
• Eccl 12:10 : 10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, [even] words of truth.
• Rom 16:19 : 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: {G1909} but I would have you {G1511} wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.
• Jas 3:17 : 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first {G3303} pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, {G2532} without hypocrisy.