Ecclesiastes 10:12
Old Testament • 10 words with Strong's data
"The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself."
Word-by-Word Analysis
דָּבָר
dâbâr
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
חָכָם
châkâm
wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
פֶּה
peh
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos...
חָנַן
chânan
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
שָׂפָה
sâphâh
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
כְּסִיל
kᵉçîyl
properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
נֶפֶשׁ
nephesh
properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or menta...
Key Terms in This Verse
חָנַן chânan
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
Study H2603 →שָׂפָה sâphâh
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Study H8193 →פֶּה peh
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
Study H6310 →נֶפֶשׁ nephesh
properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Study H5315 →דָּבָר dâbâr
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Study H1697 →אִישׁ ʼîysh
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Study H376 →Cross References
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
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?
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
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.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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:
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
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.
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
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.
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