Proverbs 15:7 kjv

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Proverbs 15:7 nkjv

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

Proverbs 15:7 niv

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

Proverbs 15:7 esv

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 15:7 nlt

The lips of the wise give good advice;
the heart of a fool has none to give.

Proverbs 15 verses

Proverbs 15 7 Meaning

Proverbs 15:7 declares a stark contrast between the wise and the foolish regarding the transmission of knowledge. The wise person's speech acts as a conduit for disseminating understanding and truth, actively sharing it with others. Conversely, the fool, whose inner being is devoid of true knowledge or unwilling to share it, cannot and does not spread it, signifying an internal emptiness or moral inability.

Proverbs 15 7 Context

Proverbs 15:7 resides within the book of Proverbs, a collection of divinely inspired wisdom literature. This particular verse fits into the extended series of proverbial sayings (Proverbs 10:1 onwards) that typically employ antithetical parallelism, presenting a strong contrast between the characteristics and outcomes of the wise (righteous) and the foolish (wicked). The immediate context of Proverbs 15 often juxtaposes wise speech with foolish speech, and beneficial actions with detrimental ones, emphasizing that one's inner disposition—their heart—is revealed through their words and determines the impact of their communication on others. Historically, in ancient Israelite culture, the transmission of wisdom was highly valued, often taking place within family units and scholarly circles, aiming to foster moral conduct and reverence for God. Knowledge was not merely academic but a practical understanding of how to live according to God's ways.

Proverbs 15 7 Word analysis

• Lips (שְׂפַת, sephat): Refers to the physical instruments of speech, symbolizing communication itself. In biblical thought, what comes from the lips is a direct manifestation of the inner person (Matt 12:34).
• Wise (חֲכָמִים, chakamim): Plural of chakam, denoting individuals who possess practical skill, moral insight, and most importantly, spiritual understanding rooted in the fear of the Lord (Prv 1:7). Their wisdom is not merely intellectual but integrated into their life and conduct.
• Disperse (יִזְרוּ, yiz'ru): From the root zara', meaning "to sow," "scatter," or "spread abroad." This term implies an active, deliberate, and widespread sharing, much like a farmer scatters seeds. It suggests intentional propagation and the potential for growth and fruitfulness in others who receive it. It is not passive retention but active outflow.
• Knowledge (דַּעַת, da'at): More than just factual information; it is discerning insight, moral perception, and often refers specifically to knowledge of God and His ways (Prv 2:5, Hos 4:6). It includes understanding cause and effect, truth from error, and right from wrong.
• But (וְ, ve): A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting the sharp contrast between the wise and the foolish.
• Heart (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of the inner person—the mind, will, emotions, and moral core. It is the source from which thoughts and actions originate.
• Fools (כְּסִילִים, kesilim): Plural of kesil, referring to individuals who are morally deficient, stubborn, self-confident in their ignorance, and actively scorn instruction and true wisdom. Their folly is a spiritual and moral state, not merely a lack of intelligence.
• Does not so (לא־כֵן, lo-ken): This phrase succinctly expresses the complete absence of the act. The implication is not just that fools do not "disperse" knowledge, but often, they do not even possess genuine knowledge in their "heart" to begin with, or their internal disposition makes them unwilling or unable to share it beneficially.

Words-Group Analysis:

• The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: This phrase emphasizes the external, active function of the wise. Their speech is a fertile field for sowing understanding. It's a statement about impact: their words are generative, contributing positively to others and the community. This aligns with the call for God's people to be a light and share truth.
• But the heart of fools does not so: This phrase points to the internal, core nature of the foolish. The problem originates not just in their speech, but in their "heart" – their fundamental character. Because their heart lacks genuine wisdom (often despising it), nothing beneficial, nothing that could be dispersed as knowledge, emanates from them. Their inner being is barren or even corrupt, leading to a failure to contribute positively through their words.

Proverbs 15 7 Bonus section

• Moral Imperative: The use of "disperse" suggests an active moral obligation for the wise to share their knowledge, not hoard it. This knowledge is not meant to be held privately but to be broadcast for the benefit of others, embodying a spirit of generosity.
• Sowing for Growth: The imagery of "dispersing" or "sowing" knowledge carries the implication that these wise words are like seeds planted in the minds and hearts of others, capable of bearing fruit and fostering growth in wisdom. This connects to agricultural metaphors often found in biblical teachings.
• Nature vs. Nurture of Speech: The proverb distinguishes between speech born from a nurtured, wise heart (which disperses knowledge) and speech (or lack thereof) from a neglected or resistant heart (which disperses nothing valuable). It reinforces that true impact on others stems from internal character.
• Boundaries of "Knowledge": The "knowledge" dispersed by the wise in Proverbs often refers specifically to God-fearing wisdom, practical discernment for living righteously, and understanding of moral truth, rather than just secular facts or skills. It is saving knowledge that guides one towards life and righteousness.

Proverbs 15 7 Commentary

Proverbs 15:7 succinctly captures a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom: genuine wisdom is inherently expansive and self-diffusing, while foolishness is inherently stagnant and unproductive. The wise individual, whose mind and character are informed by true understanding (rooted in God's fear), naturally outflows this wisdom through their communication. Their "lips" are active instruments that "disperse"—like seeds being sown—knowledge into the world, leading to enlightenment and growth in others. This highlights the ethical responsibility of the wise to share what they have received.

In stark contrast, the fool's "heart"—their inner essence, thoughts, and intentions—is incapable of, or unwilling to, perform such a beneficial act. The "does not so" indicates an absolute failure; there is no wisdom or saving knowledge emanating from them. This isn't merely a failure to articulate, but a deeper lack of true wisdom within the core of their being. Fools may have opinions or information, but it is not the da'at—the deep, moral, God-given knowledge that benefits and builds up. Consequently, their words often reflect their inner emptiness, falsehood, or perversion, contributing nothing valuable to the discourse or moral understanding of others. This verse thus commends the generative speech of the wise and condemns the sterile or destructive speech originating from a foolish heart.