Ecclesiastes 10:12 kjv
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 nkjv
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Ecclesiastes 10:12 niv
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 esv
The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 nlt
Wise words bring approval,
but fools are destroyed by their own words.
Ecclesiastes 10 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Impact of Wise Speech | ||
| Prov 10:32 | The lips of the righteous feed many... | Wise words nourish and benefit others. |
| Prov 15:23 | To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! | Timely and appropriate words bring satisfaction. |
| Prov 16:24 | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | Directly links graciousness to soul and body health. |
| Prov 22:11 | He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend. | Gracious speech fosters favorable relationships. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | Commands believers to speak gracefully, with wisdom. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up... that it may give grace to those who hear. | Emphasizes speech that builds up and gives grace. |
| Lk 4:22 | All spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that came from his mouth. | Jesus's words were noted for their grace. |
| Ps 45:2 | You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips. | Reflects an abundance of grace in speech. |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. | Wisdom in sharing truth requires graciousness. |
| Ps 37:30 | The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. | Righteousness is manifested through wise words. |
| Impact of Foolish/Destructive Speech | ||
| Prov 10:8 | The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. | Foolish talk leads to downfall. |
| Prov 10:14 | The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. | Foolish speech is an agent of ruin. |
| Prov 12:13 | An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes trouble. | Transgression through speech ensnares. |
| Prov 13:3 | Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Self-control of lips preserves life, recklessness destroys. |
| Prov 18:7 | A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | Direct parallel: the fool's own words consume him. |
| Prov 18:21 | Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. | Highlights the life/death power of words. |
| Ecc 5:6 | Let not your mouth lead you into sin... | Foolish words can lead to sinful entanglement. |
| Job 15:5-6 | For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips testify against you. | One's own words bear witness against themselves. |
| Jas 1:26 | If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. | Uncontrolled tongue reveals false piety. |
| Jas 3:6 | The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body... | The tongue's immense capacity for destructive defilement. |
| Mt 12:37 | For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. | Ultimate judgment is linked to words spoken. |
| Ps 5:9 | For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost part is destruction; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. | Deceptive and destructive nature of wicked speech. |
Ecclesiastes 10 verses
Ecclesiastes 10 12 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 10:12 illuminates the profound contrast between the nature and consequence of speech emanating from wisdom and folly. The words of a wise person, born from discernment and thoughtful consideration, are described as "gracious," meaning they are pleasant, win favor, and bring positive results. In stark contrast, the utterances of a fool, characterized by ignorance, imprudence, or malice, are depicted as self-destructive, ultimately leading to the ruin or consumption of the speaker. It emphasizes that speech is not neutral; it is a powerful force that either builds up or tears down, specifically impacting the speaker's own standing and well-being.
Ecclesiastes 10 12 Context
Ecclesiastes 10 is a chapter filled with pragmatic observations on the stark differences between wisdom and folly as they play out in everyday life and leadership. Qoheleth (the Preacher) observes how even a small mistake or act of folly can mar a wise reputation (v. 1). The verses leading up to verse 12 highlight various pitfalls and inefficiencies associated with fools, often contrasting them with the wise. Specifically, verses 12-15 center on the communication styles: the wise speak for graciousness, while the fool’s lengthy babble (v. 14) ultimately exposes his lack of knowledge, leaving him and his listeners wearied and lost (v. 15). The historical and cultural context reflects an ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where societal order, reputation, and the effectiveness of one’s counsel or work were paramount, making the nature of one’s speech critically important for one's success and societal standing.
Ecclesiastes 10 12 Word analysis
- The words of a wise man’s mouth: This phrase points to the source and substance of good communication. A "wise man" (Hebrew: חָכָם, ḥāḵām) in Ecclesiastes embodies practical discernment, understanding of life's realities, and often, an ethical orientation. His "mouth" (פֶּה, peh) indicates that his speech is an outflow of his character and wisdom, implying deliberation and sound judgment before speaking.
- are gracious: The Hebrew word is חֵן (ḥēn), meaning favor, grace, charm, or pleasantness. This goes beyond mere politeness. "Gracious" words are those that secure favor, elicit a positive response, are well-received, and inherently possess a beneficial or agreeable quality. They convey kindness, wisdom, and tact, fostering positive relationships and outcomes for the speaker and listener alike. These words resonate with truth and insight, making them impactful and persuasive.
- but the lips of a fool: Here, "fool" (כְּסִיל, kə·sîl) typically refers to a moral or ethical fool—someone obstinate, arrogant, or unresponsive to wisdom and correction, rather than simply unlearned. The "lips" (שָׂפָה, sāp̄āh) denote the outward utterance, the instrument through which folly is publicly broadcast.
- consume him: The Hebrew word is בָּלַע (bālaʿ), meaning to swallow, engulf, destroy, or devour. This is a powerful image. The fool's own words are not merely detrimental; they actively and powerfully lead to his ruin or destruction. This "consumption" can manifest as loss of reputation, opportunities, trust, respect, or even material assets, and can lead to societal alienation or legal entanglement. It implies that the fool's own speech becomes a self-inflicted snare, undermining his position and future, akin to being swallowed by his own pronouncements.
- words of a wise man's mouth are gracious / but the lips of a fool consume him: This structure uses direct antithesis to highlight the inherent and contrasting nature and consequences of speech rooted in wisdom versus folly. It's a statement on divine order and natural consequences—the positive reinforcement that wise words bring versus the destructive boomerang effect of foolish words. The focus shifts from general positive impact to the specific, dire consequence for the speaker, emphasizing the immediate self-destructive nature of folly.
Ecclesiastes 10 12 Bonus section
The contrast presented in this verse reflects the overarching theme of Ecclesiastes regarding the practical advantages of wisdom versus the futility ("hevel") and destructive nature of folly "under the sun." Wise words bring tangible benefits and meaning to life, whereas foolish speech contributes to the sense of vanity and striving after wind that characterizes much of earthly existence. This verse implicitly suggests that true wisdom manifests outwardly, and a discerning individual is known not only by their actions but profoundly by their words. The self-consuming aspect of the fool’s words also suggests a deeper spiritual principle: unrighteous and thoughtless speech not only harms external relationships but corrupts the very soul of the speaker, drawing him further into spiritual darkness.
Ecclesiastes 10 12 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10:12 offers a stark, practical insight into the power of human speech, affirming a core tenet found throughout biblical wisdom literature. A wise person's words are characterized by ḥēn, or grace. These words are not only pleasing but possess a profound quality that attracts favor, fosters positive interactions, and benefits both speaker and listener. Such speech reflects thoughtful discretion, an understanding of the right time and context, and often, a deeper alignment with God's truth, leading to an edifying outcome.
Conversely, the speech of a fool is portrayed as inherently destructive, actively leading to his own ruin. The fool, being spiritually and morally deficient, lacks the discernment and restraint necessary to bridle his tongue. His words are often rash, offensive, ill-timed, boastful, or foolishly self-incriminating. These utterances effectively "swallow up" or "consume" him, resulting in damaged reputation, loss of credibility, missed opportunities, or direct consequences such as conflict, rejection, or legal repercussions. The verse underscores that foolish speech is not just idle talk; it possesses an insidious, self-defeating power. Practically, this calls for conscious mindfulness in communication, urging believers to cultivate speech that reflects grace, prudence, and life, recognizing that words are potent tools that define one's path and impact their ultimate well-being.