Proverbs 12:18 kjv

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 12:18 nkjv

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Proverbs 12:18 niv

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 esv

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 nlt

Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 18 Meaning

Proverbs 12:18 presents a stark contrast between two fundamental uses of the human tongue: one that inflicts pain and damage, and another that brings healing and restoration. It states that an individual who speaks rashly or thoughtlessly delivers words that pierce like sword thrusts, causing deep wounds, broken relationships, and lasting hurt. In opposition, the discerning words of the wise are portrayed as a source of remedy, comfort, and well-being, capable of mending what is broken and fostering peace. The verse emphasizes the immense power and significant moral impact of our speech, highlighting that our words can either devastate or deliver life.

Proverbs 12 18 Context

Proverbs 12 belongs to a collection of wisdom sayings (Proverbs 10-29), often contrasting the way of the righteous and the wise with that of the wicked and the foolish. These proverbs are typically short, self-contained units that offer practical advice for living a life in harmony with God's design. This chapter specifically touches on themes of honesty, integrity, hard work, wealth, and particularly, the impact of speech. Verse 18 is an antithetical proverb, sharply juxtaposing two outcomes of speech. Historically, in ancient Israelite culture, oral communication was primary, and words were seen as possessing inherent power and significant consequences, both good and ill. The emphasis on the tongue reflects a deep cultural understanding of the power of expressed thought to shape reality and relationships.

Proverbs 12 18 Word analysis

• There is one who speaks rashly: The Hebrew phrase is יֵשׁ בּוֹטֶה (Yesh boṭeh).
  • יֵשׁ (Yesh): "There is," indicating existence.
  • בּוֹטֶה (boṭeh): "One who speaks rashly," "babbler," "one who utters inconsiderate things." This root, בָּטָה (baṭah), implies speech that is thoughtless, impulsive, inconsiderate, or even careless, not necessarily malicious in intent but certainly harmful in effect due to its lack of forethought or restraint. It conveys a heedless impulsiveness.
• like the thrusts of a sword: Hebrew is כְּמַדְקְרוֹת חָרֶב (k’madq'roṭ ḥārev).
  • כְּ (k’): "Like," a comparative particle.
  • מַדְקְרוֹת (madq'roṭ): "Thrusts of," "piercings," "stabs." This term, derived from דָקַר (daqar), means to pierce or stab, signifying a sharp, painful, and deeply penetrating wound.
  • חָרֶב (ḥārev): "Sword," a primary weapon of war known for its cutting, slashing, and piercing capabilities. The imagery vividly portrays deep and damaging impact.
• but the tongue of the wise: Hebrew is וּלְשׁוֹן חֲכָמִים (u-leshon ḥakhāmim).
  • וּ (u-): "But" or "and," serving here as a strong adversative conjunction indicating contrast.
  • לְשׁוֹן (leshon): "Tongue of," a metonym for speech or what is spoken.
  • חֲכָמִים (ḥakhāmim): "Wise" (plural). In the biblical context, 'wisdom' (חָכְמָה - chochmah) is not merely intellectual acuity but practical skill in living, founded on the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7) and adherence to His precepts. Wise individuals discern consequences and act prudently.
• brings healing: Hebrew is מַרְפֵּא (marpē').
  • מַרְפֵּא (marpē'): "Healing," "remedy," "restoration," "soundness." Derived from רָפָא (rapha'), "to heal," this signifies repair, mending, comforting, or restoring health. It directly counters the 'sword thrusts,' offering recovery where damage has been done.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword": This segment highlights the destructive nature of speech that is uncontrolled, ill-considered, or impetuous. Such words inflict pain as direct and severe as a physical wound from a weapon, causing deep, sometimes irreparable, emotional and relational damage. It speaks to the grave responsibility accompanying speech.
  • "but the tongue of the wise brings healing": This segment offers a powerful antithesis, presenting speech that is constructive and restorative. The wise individual's words are characterized by their thoughtfulness, compassion, truth, and timing. Such speech has the power to soothe conflict, offer comfort, impart wisdom, restore relationships, and promote wholeness, acting as a balm to wounds inflicted by rash words or life's hardships.

Proverbs 12 18 Bonus section

The strong imagery in Proverbs 12:18 underscores a fundamental biblical principle: words are not merely sounds but carriers of significant moral force and spiritual power. In the Bible, God's creative act itself begins with speech ("Let there be..."). Therefore, human speech, made in God's image, retains an echo of this creative/destructive capacity. This proverb also implies that true wisdom (Chokmah) manifests not just in thought or knowledge, but crucially in controlled and constructive verbal expression. The contrast between harming and healing emphasizes the ethical dimension of speech as a reflection of one's character and alignment with God's truth. This isn't just about avoiding slander but actively participating in the work of restoration and grace through chosen words.

Proverbs 12 18 Commentary

Proverbs 12:18 succinctly captures the immense, twofold power of the human tongue: its capacity to inflict deep wounds or to provide profound healing. The verse does not merely state that some words hurt and others help; it uses powerful metaphors to convey the degree of their impact. Rash speech is equated to sword thrusts, suggesting painful, sudden, and potentially devastating consequences to reputation, relationships, and even an individual's spirit. Such words often arise from impulsiveness, anger, thoughtlessness, or a lack of self-control.

Conversely, the "tongue of the wise" brings healing. This wisdom is rooted in discernment, compassion, truth, and an understanding of divine principles. Words spoken by the wise are carefully considered, delivered with grace, and aimed at building up, reconciling, and offering encouragement or instruction. They are restorative and remedial, serving as an antidote to conflict, despair, or brokenness. The proverb challenges believers to consider the weight and effect of every word spoken, urging a conscious choice to wield their words as tools for life and healing, rather than for harm. Practical application includes: taking time to think before speaking, asking if words will build up or tear down, and seeking to offer comfort and wise counsel when appropriate.