FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 18:21
KJVDeath and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Read it in context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
Start reading at Proverbs 18:1 (Proverbs 18:1 to Proverbs 18:24).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
- 18:3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
- 18:4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
- 18:5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
- 18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
- 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
- 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
- 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
- 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
- 18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
- 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
- 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
- 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
- 18:18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
- 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
- 18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
- 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
- 18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
- 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 10:1–21:31): The sayings instruct learners in Israel's wisdom tradition. The righteous, wicked, wise, foolish, rulers, and household members are examples or subjects of the sayings, not necessarily the immediate people being addressed. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Selfishness of the Unfriendly. Read Proverbs 18:1 through Proverbs 18:24 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Selfishness of the Unfriendly (Proverbs 18:1 to Proverbs 18:24). Start reading at Proverbs 18:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 18:1, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- Death Prov 18:4-7 Prov 10:20-21,31 Prov 11:30 Matt 12:35-37 Rom 10:14-15 2 Cor 2:16 2 Cor 11:15 Eph 4:29
- and Prov 10:19 Eccl 10:12-14 Isa 57:19
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 18
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.