Proverbs 23:16 kjv
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
Proverbs 23:16 nkjv
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things.
Proverbs 23:16 niv
my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
Proverbs 23:16 esv
My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.
Proverbs 23:16 nlt
Everything in me will celebrate
when you speak what is right.
Proverbs 23 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:1 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. | Joy of a wise son to parents. |
| Prov 15:20 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. | Wisdom leading to parental joy. |
| Prov 17:21 | The father of a fool knows grief; there is no joy for the parent of a dolt. | Contrasts folly with parental joy. |
| Prov 17:25 | A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. | Folly causes parental sorrow. |
| Prov 29:3 | A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father... | Direct link between wisdom and father's joy. |
| 3 Jn 1:4 | I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. | Apostolic joy over spiritual children's truth. |
| 1 Thes 2:19-20 | For what is our hope, our joy... Is it not you...? You are our glory and joy! | Paul's joy over his spiritual children. |
| Ps 7:9 | ...You who test the minds and hearts... | God examines the inner being (reins/heart). |
| Ps 16:7 | I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. | "Kidneys" (reins) as source of counsel. |
| Ps 26:2 | Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. | Request for examination of inner self. |
| Ps 73:21 | When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered... | Inner pain described through "heart/reins." |
| Ps 139:13 | For you created my inmost being; you knit me together... | God formed the innermost parts. |
| Jer 11:20 | But, O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind. | God's testing of inner motives. |
| Jer 17:10 | I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways. | God's knowledge of the innermost being. |
| Jer 20:12 | O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind. | God as the examiner of inner parts. |
| Rev 2:23 | I will strike her children dead... I am he who searches minds and hearts. | Christ's scrutiny of internal motives. |
| Prov 12:17 | Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence... | Value of truthful speech. |
| Prov 12:19 | Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. | Enduring nature of truth. |
| Prov 13:5 | The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. | Righteous aversion to falsehood. |
| Prov 16:13 | Kings take pleasure in honest lips... | Importance of upright speech. |
| Prov 22:20-21 | Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge... | The teacher's effort in imparting wisdom. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths... | Positive instruction on speech. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt... | Instruction on gracious and wise speech. |
| Zep 3:17 | The Lord your God is in your midst... He will rejoice over you with gladness. | God's joy over His obedient people. |
| Isa 62:5 | ...so will your God rejoice over you. | God's rejoicing over His redeemed people. |
Proverbs 23 verses
Proverbs 23 16 Meaning
The verse expresses the profound internal joy and exhilaration felt by a teacher, typically a father figure, when their disciple or child speaks words that are truthful, righteous, and wise. This joy stems from witnessing the fruit of their instruction manifested in the student's character and speech, validating the wisdom imparted.
Proverbs 23 16 Context
Proverbs 23:16 is part of a longer section in the Book of Proverbs (22:17-24:22), often referred to as "The Sayings of the Wise" or "The Words of the Wise." This section presents further instructions and warnings, often in the style of a father or wise teacher addressing his "son" or disciple. The overarching theme is the pursuit of wisdom and righteousness, emphasizing moral and ethical living over immediate gratification or worldly gain. Verses leading up to 23:16 address various topics such as gluttony, laziness, disrespect for parents, and avoiding bad company, consistently guiding the "son" towards virtuous behavior and sound judgment. The preceding verse (Prov 23:15) sets up this one directly: "My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed." This clearly establishes the profound emotional investment of the teacher in the student's moral and intellectual development. The "right things" spoken by the lips in verse 16 are the practical outworking and confirmation of the wise heart mentioned in verse 15. The father's joy is therefore contingent upon the son's genuine embracing and application of wisdom in his life, particularly in his words.
Proverbs 23 16 Word analysis
My inmost being (כְּלוֹתַי - kelōthay / reins):
- This Hebrew term refers to the "kidneys" or "reins." In ancient Hebrew thought, the kidneys were not merely organs but symbolized the deepest part of one's inner being, often associated with emotions, conscience, affections, and innermost thoughts. It denotes a profound, gut-level feeling, akin to one's soul or very core. This is a much deeper expression of joy than mere surface-level pleasure.
will rejoice (תַּעֲלֹזְנָה - taʿălōznāh):
- Derived from a verb meaning to "exult," "be jubilant," or "leap for joy." It describes an exuberant, expressive happiness, not just quiet contentment. It implies an overflowing and unrestrained gladness.
when your lips (בְּדַבֵּר שְׂפָתֶיךָ - bədhabbēr s̲əfātheyk̲ā):
- lips (שְׂפָתֶיךָ - s̲əfātheyk̲ā): A synecdoche, representing one's speech or communication as a whole. Speech is seen as an outward manifestation of the inner person (compare Lk 6:45, Mt 12:34).
- when your lips speak (בְּדַבֵּר שְׂפָתֶיךָ): This phrase indicates the action of speaking, emphasizing that the joy is activated by the utterance of specific words.
what is right (מֵישָׁרִים - meyšārîm):
- Means "straightness," "uprightness," "equity," "righteousness," or "justice." It signifies not just correct facts but words that align with moral integrity, ethical truth, and divine wisdom. It implies speech that is honest, fair, appropriate, and beneficial, reflecting a heart aligned with God's ways.
"My inmost being will rejoice" (כְּלוֹתַי תַּעֲלֹזְנָה): This phrase signifies an intensely personal, deep-seated joy that permeates the entire being. It's not a superficial emotion but one that resonates at the very core of the teacher's existence, a satisfaction stemming from the deepest parental or mentoring affection.
"when your lips speak what is right" (בְּדַבֵּר שְׂפָתֶיךָ מֵישָׁרִים): This highlights the critical link between outward speech and inward character. The son's truthful and righteous words are concrete evidence that the imparted wisdom has been genuinely received and has taken root, leading to transformed behavior and expression. The joy is rooted in the success of the pedagogical endeavor.
Proverbs 23 16 Bonus section
The father/teacher's joy in this verse is a microcosm of God's delight when His children walk in His ways and speak truth. It highlights the deeply relational aspect of divine wisdom, which aims not just for intellectual knowledge but for transformed hearts and lives. The expression of wisdom through speech (מֵישָׁרִים - meyšārîm) suggests conformity not just to logical correctness but to the divine moral order, implying an alignment with God's very character. This internal joy (reins) over external expression (lips) reflects a fundamental biblical principle: what comes out of the mouth truly reveals what is in the heart. The emotional impact described emphasizes the high stakes involved in biblical education and spiritual formation—the father’s very well-being is tied to the son’s righteous journey.
Proverbs 23 16 Commentary
Proverbs 23:16 captures the profound satisfaction a parent or mentor experiences when their diligent efforts in guiding a young one yield positive results. The verse reveals that the ultimate measure of successful instruction is not merely intellectual assent but the embodiment of wisdom in the disciple's words and life. The "inmost being" signifies that this joy is holistic and deeply personal, not just a superficial pleasure but an emotional and spiritual validation of the significant investment made. When a son or student "speaks what is right" (i.e., truth, wisdom, integrity), it affirms that the seeds of knowledge have matured into genuine understanding and virtuous character, producing great rejoicing for the one who poured into their life. This underscores the transformative power of divine wisdom, which not only shapes individuals but also brings deep joy to those who faithfully impart it. Practically, it encourages teachers and parents to remain steadfast in instruction, recognizing the significant and joyful outcome of cultivating righteous speech and living in their children.