Ecclesiastes 10:12

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

דִּבְרֵ֥י פִי־חָכָ֖ם חֵ֑ן וְשִׂפְת֥וֹת כְּסִ֖יל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃

Transliteration

dibrê pî-ḥākām ḥēn wə-śiptôt kəsîl təballəʿennû

Grammar Details

• *dibrê*: masculine plural construct - words of
• *pî-ḥākām*: masculine singular construct + adjective - mouth of wise (man)
• *ḥēn*: masculine singular noun - grace/favor
• *wə-śiptôt*: conjunction + feminine plural construct - and lips of
• *kəsîl*: masculine singular noun - fool
• *təballəʿennû*: piel imperfect 3rd feminine plural with 3rd masculine singular suffix - will swallow him up

Word Meanings

• *dibrê*: words/sayings/speech
• *pî-ḥākām*: mouth of wise man/speech of wise person
• *ḥēn*: grace/favor/charm
• *śiptôt*: lips/speech/words
• *kəsîl*: fool/foolish person
• *təballəʿennû*: will swallow him up/will destroy him/will ruin him

Referenced Verses

• Prov 15:2 : 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
• Luke 4:22 : 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
• Eph 4:29 : 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
• Col 4:6 : 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
• Luke 19:22 : 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
• Prov 15:23 : 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
• Prov 16:21-24 : 21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
• Prov 18:6-8 : 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
• Prov 19:5 : 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
• Prov 22:11 : 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
• Prov 22:17-18 : 17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
• Prov 25:11-12 : 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
• Prov 26:9 : 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
• Prov 31:26 : 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
• Matt 12:35 : 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
• 2 Sam 1:16 : 16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.
• 1 Kgs 20:40-42 : 40 And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. 41 And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. 42 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
• Job 4:3-4 : 3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. 4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
• Job 16:5 : 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
• Ps 37:30 : 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh{H8762)} of judgment.
• Ps 40:9-9 : 9 I have preached{H8765)} righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained{H8799)} my lips, O LORD, thou knowest{H8804)}. 10 I have not hid{H8765)} thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared{H8804)} thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed{H8765)} thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
• Ps 64:8 : 8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall{H8686)} upon themselves: all that see{H8802)} them shall flee away{H8709)}.
• Ps 71:15-18 : 15 My mouth shall shew forth{H8762)} thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know{H8804)} not the numbers thereof. 16 I will go in{H8799)} the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention{H8686)} of thy righteousness, even of thine only. 17 O God, thou hast taught{H8765)} me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared{H8686)} thy wondrous works{H8737)}. 18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake{H8799)} me not; until I have shewed{H8686)} thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come{H8799)}.
• Ps 140:9 : 9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
• Prov 10:8 : 8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
• Prov 10:10 : 10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
• Prov 10:13-14 : 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. 14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
• Prov 10:20-21 : 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
• Prov 10:31-32 : 31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
• Prov 12:13-14 : 13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 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.
• Prov 12:18 : 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.