Proverbs 29:20 kjv

Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 29:20 nkjv

Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 29:20 niv

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Proverbs 29:20 esv

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 29:20 nlt

There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks without thinking.

Proverbs 29 verses

Proverbs 29 20 Meaning

Proverbs 29:20 teaches that an individual who is quick or impulsive in their speech, uttering words without careful consideration, is in a more difficult and less hopeful position than even a foolish person. The 'fool' (Hebrew: kesil) in Proverbs is one who rejects wisdom and instruction, but for them, there remains a certain baseline of hope for potential change. However, someone who demonstrates a persistent lack of self-control over their tongue, speaking rashly or impulsively, reveals a deeper character flaw, often linked to impatience, pride, or a failure to listen, which makes their path to wisdom and repentance seem even more challenging.

Proverbs 29 20 Context

Proverbs chapter 29 delves into themes of justice, wisdom, foolishness, and their impact on individuals and society. The chapter frequently contrasts the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish. Verse 20 fits within this overarching narrative by highlighting a specific characteristic—hasty speech—as a severe indicator of an undisciplined mind and heart, worse even than the common portrayal of a "fool." It implies that self-control, particularly in verbal expression, is a crucial mark of wisdom and maturity. Historically, ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, valued measured, thoughtful speech, as words were understood to carry significant power to build up or tear down, affecting one's reputation, relationships, and even legal standing. Impulsive speech was seen as a lack of discipline and a sign of inner turmoil or arrogance.

Proverbs 29 20 Word analysis

• "Do you see?" (הָרָאִיתָ - ha-ra'i-ta): This opening is an interrogative that functions as a rhetorical question, designed to draw the reader's attention and compel self-reflection. It asks the listener to keenly observe and discern such a person in their own experience, underscoring the commonality and recognizability of this character flaw.
• "a man" (אִישׁ - ish): Refers generally to a human being, a person, without specific status. This suggests the wisdom applies to anyone.
• "hasty" (אָץ - atz): Signifies rushing, urgent, pressing, or impetuous. In this context, it describes one who is impatient or impulsive, lacking deliberation before acting or speaking. It implies a lack of inner discipline and forethought. This term can describe quick movement but here it's applied to the rapid production of words without due consideration.
• "in his words" (בִּדְבָרָיו - bi-d'va-rav): This specifies the arena of hastiness—it is speech. This refers to the manner and content of one's communication. It implies not just the words themselves, but the rush with which they are spoken, indicating a mind that doesn't filter, ponder, or weigh consequences before utterance. This includes interrupting, blurting out thoughts, or making pronouncements without full understanding.
• "hope" (תִּקְוָה - tik-vah): Refers to an expectation, possibility of improvement, or future prospect. This is a crucial element, as it assesses the potential for change or betterment in a person's life and character.
• "for a fool" (לִכְסִיל - li-khe-sil): The Hebrew kesil is a specific type of fool in Proverbs, distinguished from the nabal (morally senseless) or ewil (arrogant fool). The kesil is not merely ignorant but is often self-satisfied in his foolishness, resistant to correction, and frequently mocks wisdom. However, the proverb suggests even for such a seemingly hopeless individual, there is more potential for change than for the person who is chronically hasty in speech.
• "than for him" (מִמֶּנּוּ - mi-me-nnu): This is a comparative term, highlighting that the condition of the hasty speaker is considered worse than that of the kesil. The comparative implies a deeper rooted problem.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do you see a man hasty in his words?": This rhetorical question calls the reader to self-observation and introspection regarding a pervasive and often unrecognized character flaw. It points to a deep lack of self-control where the tongue acts independently of thoughtful reflection or careful judgment. This suggests an inner chaos or an arrogance that presumes its immediate thoughts are worth uttering.
• "There is more hope for a fool than for him.": This striking comparison highlights the severe nature of impulsive speech. A kesil (fool) might stubbornly reject wisdom, but their condition is static. The one hasty in words, however, actively demonstrates a fundamental inability to exercise discipline in one of life's most impactful areas – speech. This habitual rashness reveals a profound spiritual or intellectual instability, making the prospect of repentance, learning, or moral growth even dimmer. The persistent nature of this flaw implies that it might be harder to correct than even the stubbornness of a simple fool.

Proverbs 29 20 Bonus section

The severity of the proverb highlights the immense value ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions, and particularly biblical wisdom, placed on self-control and discretion. It's not just about what is said, but how it is said and with what intention or forethought. A person who is "hasty in his words" is often driven by a spirit of self-importance or an inability to endure silence and deliberation. This condition reveals a fundamental resistance to receiving instruction, as one who speaks quickly is less likely to be a careful listener. The Bible frequently contrasts the destructive power of the tongue with its capacity for good, and this verse powerfully illustrates one of its most detrimental uncontrolled aspects. The emphasis is on a chronic pattern rather than an isolated incident, marking a profound character deficiency.

Proverbs 29 20 Commentary

Proverbs 29:20 delivers a powerful and counter-intuitive truth about character: a man who consistently speaks without thinking is in a more perilous state than a stubborn fool. The 'hasty speaker' reveals a deep lack of self-control, impatience, and often an overestimation of their own immediate thoughts. Unlike a fool who may simply ignore wisdom, the rash talker actively expresses undisciplined thought, which can lead to social blunders, damaged relationships, unwise commitments, and spiritual harm. Their quickness to speak often correlates with a slowness to listen or truly process, which obstructs wisdom from entering. The proverb thus underscores that diligent self-restraint over one's tongue is a hallmark of true wisdom and maturity, demonstrating respect for others, for the truth, and for God.Examples: Over-promising, gossiping impulsively, interjecting unsolicited advice, blurting out anger, or making premature judgments all fall under hasty words. Such actions frequently cause more tangible damage than the mere foolishness of one who avoids wisdom, making true change difficult for the hasty speaker until they recognize and repent of their foundational lack of discipline.