Proverbs 17:28

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

גַּם אֱוִיל מַחֲרִישׁ חָכָם יֵחָשֵׁב אֹטֵם שְׂפָתָיו נָבוֹן

Transliteration

Also 'ĕwîl maḥărîš ḥākām yēḥāšēb 'ōṭēm śəpātāyw nābôn

Grammar Details

*gam*: particle - also/even
*'ĕwîl*: noun, masculine singular - fool
*maḥărîš*: participle, Hiphil - keeping silent
*ḥākām*: adjective, masculine singular - wise
*yēḥāšēb*: verb, Niphal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - is considered
*'ōṭēm*: participle, Qal - shutting/closing
*śəpātāyw*: noun, feminine dual + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - his lips
*nābôn*: adjective, masculine singular - discerning/intelligent

Word Meanings

*'ĕwîl*: fool/silly person
*maḥărîš*: keeping silent/being quiet
*ḥākām*: wise/skillful
*yēḥāšēb*: is considered/regarded/counted
*'ōṭēm*: shutting/closing/sealing
*śəpātāyw*: his lips/his speech
*nābôn*: discerning/understanding/intelligent

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Job 13:5 : 5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.
Prov 15:2 : 2 The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Eccl 10:14 : 14 A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
Eccl 5:3 : 3 For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool's voice with a multitude of words.
Eccl 10:3 : 3 Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 17:27
84%
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Prov 29:11
83%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Prov 12:23
79%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Eccl 9:17
78%
17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Prov 13:16
78%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 11:12
77%
12He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Prov 15:2
77%
2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Prov 24:7
77%
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Eccl 10:3
76%
3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Prov 10:14
76%
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
Eccl 10:12-14
3 verses
76%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
Prov 12:15-16
2 verses
76%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
Prov 10:18-19
2 verses
76%
18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
Prov 14:7-8
2 verses
76%
7Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
Job 13:5
76%
5Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.
Prov 14:33
75%
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Prov 14:29
75%
29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Prov 20:3
75%
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
Prov 15:14
75%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Prov 14:3
75%
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Prov 14:16-17
2 verses
75%
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.
Prov 29:20
74%
20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 10:8
74%
8The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
Prov 18:2
74%
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Prov 26:4-5
2 verses
74%
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Prov 23:9
74%
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Prov 16:22-23
2 verses
74%
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
Prov 18:6-7
2 verses
73%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Prov 15:7
73%
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
Prov 30:32
73%
32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, [Lay] thy hand upon thy mouth.
Prov 29:9
73%
9If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
Prov 19:1
72%
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Prov 17:24
72%
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Prov 14:24
72%
24The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.
Eccl 7:9
72%
9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Prov 17:7
72%
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
Prov 21:23
72%
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Ps 39:2
71%
2I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred.