Proverbs 18:21 kjv
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21 nkjv
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 niv
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 esv
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21 nlt
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Proverbs 18 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| James 3:5-6 | So also the tongue is a small member...how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. | Illustrates the destructive power of the tongue |
| Matt 12:36-37 | I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word...by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. | Emphasizes accountability for every word |
| Prov 10:19 | When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. | Warns against excessive and unrestrained talk |
| Prov 11:11 | By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. | Contrasts life-giving and destructive words on a community level |
| Prov 12:18 | There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. | Highlights words' dual capacity for harm or healing |
| Prov 13:3 | Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Directly links guarding speech to preserving life and folly to ruin |
| Prov 15:4 | A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | Calls a good tongue a source of life and encouragement |
| Prov 16:24 | Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. | Describes the health and benefit of kind words |
| Prov 21:23 | Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | Advises self-control over speech to avoid problems |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. | Exhorts believers to use speech for edification |
| Psa 52:2-4 | Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking what is right... | Describes the destructive nature of deceitful words |
| Psa 5:9 | For there is no truth in their mouth; in their inmost heart there is destruction; their throat is an open grave... | Depicts the corrupting effect of wicked speech |
| Psa 140:3 | They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's; poison of a viper is under their lips. | Analogizes evil words to poison, bringing harm |
| Isa 3:10-11 | Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them...Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have done shall be done to him. | General principle of reaping consequences for actions |
| Gal 6:7-8 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. | Broad principle of sowing and reaping applied to life choices |
| John 6:63 | It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. | Jesus' words as the ultimate source of spiritual life |
| Deut 30:19 | I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live. | Choice between life and death through adherence to words/commands |
| Prov 6:2 | You are snared by the words of your mouth, caught by the words of your mouth. | Warns of self-entrapment through one's own words |
| Prov 26:28 | A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. | Reveals the destructive nature of lies and flattery |
| Rom 3:13-14 | "Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they keep practicing deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." | Cites Old Testament passages to highlight universal sinfulness, including speech |
| Psa 34:12-13 | Who is the man who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. | Directly links guarding speech to living a good, long life |
Proverbs 18 verses
Proverbs 18 21 Meaning
Proverbs 18:21 profoundly declares that words possess immense, transformative power, capable of producing either ultimate ruin or profound blessing. It states that how a person uses their tongue directly determines the outcome of their life and the lives of those they interact with. Furthermore, those who frequently engage with speech—whether for good or ill—will inevitably experience the natural, often inevitable, consequences of their spoken words.
Proverbs 18 21 Context
Proverbs chapter 18 is part of the collection of Solomonic proverbs, focusing on the pursuit of wisdom versus foolishness, particularly concerning human relationships and communication. The immediate verses around Proverbs 18:21 also address the dangers of foolish talk (v. 6-8), the consequences of idleness (v. 9), the strength of the Lord's name (v. 10), and the perils of quick judgment (v. 13). In ancient Israel, the spoken word held immense significance, serving as a primary means of instruction, agreement, blessing, and curse. Oaths, covenants, and legal testimony were entirely reliant on spoken declarations. Therefore, the control of the tongue was paramount for societal order and individual well-being. This verse operates within a wisdom tradition that understands speech not merely as a reflection of thought but as an active force with tangible outcomes.
Proverbs 18 21 Word analysis
- Death (mavet): More than just physical cessation, this term in Hebrew wisdom literature often denotes a state of spiritual ruin, moral decay, separation from well-being, destruction, and ultimately, eternal condemnation.
- and life (wěḥayyîm): The plural form (ḥayyîm) denotes fullness of life, vitality, well-being, flourishing, prosperity, joy, and spiritual blessing. It's comprehensive, encompassing not just physical existence but holistic good and connection with God.
- are in the power (bĕyad) (literally, "in the hand"): The Hebrew yad (hand) here signifies authority, control, mastery, ability, or effective means. It suggests that the tongue is not just an instrument but a powerful agent, like a hand holding authority to bring about results.
- of the tongue (lāšôn): Refers to the physical organ, but more importantly, it stands metonymically for human speech, words spoken, communication, testimony, and declaration. It represents the expression of the inner person.
- and those who love it: ʾōhăvēhā (its lovers). This phrase implies habitual and deliberate engagement with speech. It describes individuals who are fond of, delighted by, or deeply committed to using their tongue frequently—whether positively or negatively. It points to the disposition or passion one has concerning their speech.
- will eat its fruit: yōʾkhălû piryāh (they will eat its fruit). This is an idiomatic expression signifying the inevitable consequences, outcome, or harvest of one's actions, particularly their words. It's a natural and just return; the results, good or bad, are inherently linked to the speech.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Death and life are in the power of the tongue: This establishes the incredible, binary power of human communication. The tongue is presented not merely as a passive organ of expression but as an active agent, wielding potent force that can lead to ultimate ends—either life or death. It suggests an authority in spoken words, akin to divine decrees.
- and those who love it will eat its fruit: This second clause articulates the principle of consequence. Those who relish using their tongue, who constantly exercise this powerful instrument, will undoubtedly experience the full measure of what their words have produced. It emphasizes the direct and unavoidable link between the practice of speaking and the results reaped. "Loving" the tongue implies constant, perhaps even obsessive, engagement, highlighting that consistent patterns of speech inevitably yield consistent outcomes.
Proverbs 18 21 Bonus section
The power described in this proverb is not limited to immediate conversational impact; it extends to the very fabric of one's spiritual journey. The verse implicitly highlights that words are not mere sounds; they are expressions of inner thought and intent, manifesting as spiritual realities. In a biblical worldview, a spoken word can set into motion a chain of events or reveal an underlying spiritual state. This aligns with the New Testament concept that we will give an account for every careless word, emphasizing speech as a profound indicator of our heart's condition and a direct determinant of our destiny. Furthermore, this proverb can be seen as a microcosm of the larger biblical theme of sowing and reaping, where actions, specifically words, invariably produce consequences in accordance with their nature. The discipline of the tongue, therefore, is not merely a social etiquette but a profound spiritual exercise requiring divine assistance.
Proverbs 18 21 Commentary
Proverbs 18:21 is a foundational verse within wisdom literature concerning the discipline of speech. It asserts that the tongue is not neutral but an incredibly powerful force that dictates destinies—spiritual, relational, and physical. Words have creative and destructive potential, capable of building up or tearing down, giving life or bringing death. This profound influence stems from the fact that speech often reveals the heart (Lk 6:45), and the outcomes are a natural extension of one's character and intent. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of personal responsibility. Those who are quick to speak, or who derive pleasure from talking, must recognize that their words are seeds. What is sown—be it slander, encouragement, truth, or lies—will inevitably mature and produce a corresponding harvest for the speaker and those affected. The "eating of the fruit" underscores the certainty and directness of this retribution, whether in blessings or curses, peace or strife, joy or sorrow. It challenges individuals to consider carefully the gravity of every word spoken, recognizing its potential to shape reality for good or ill. For believers, this verse also connects to the idea that our words should be grace-giving and life-affirming, reflecting the Christ who spoke words of life.
Examples:
- Words of blessing and encouragement spoken to a child can build their confidence and shape their future positively (life-giving).
- Gossiping or slandering someone can destroy their reputation and relationships, bringing ruin (death-bringing).
- Consistently speaking words of hope and faith, particularly in challenging times, can bring peace and resilience to one's own soul and to others.