A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
What does Proverbs 15:4 mean?
A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Proverbs 15:3-4 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue - literally, as in the margin, the same word as "sound" in Proverbs 14:30 (see the note). A more literal rendering would be soundness of speech. Tree of life - Compare Proverbs 3:18 note. Breach in the spirit - With the sense of vexation (compare Isaiah 65:14 ).
Key words
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A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,.
Context in Proverbs 15
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Proverbs 15 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Solomonic proverb collections. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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