Proverbs 18:4
New International Version
The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

New Living Translation
Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

English Standard Version
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Berean Standard Bible
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

King James Bible
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

New King James Version
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

New American Standard Bible
The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

NASB 1995
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

NASB 1977
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Legacy Standard Bible
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Amplified Bible
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom]; The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

Christian Standard Bible
The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

American Standard Version
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

Contemporary English Version
Words of wisdom are a stream that flows from a deep fountain.

English Revised Version
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

Good News Translation
A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.

International Standard Version
The words a man says are as deep waters— a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

Majority Standard Bible
The words of a man?s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

NET Bible
The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

New Heart English Bible
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

Webster's Bible Translation
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

World English Bible
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The words of a man’s mouth [are] deep waters, "" The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

Young's Literal Translation
Deep waters are the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Smith's Literal Translation
Deep waters are the words of man's mouth, the fountain of wisdom a gushing stream.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.

New American Bible
The words of one’s mouth are deep waters, the spring of wisdom, a running brook.

New Revised Standard Version
The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters; and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters and the fount of wisdom is a rushing torrent.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; A flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.…

Cross References
James 3:11-12
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

John 7:38
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

Proverbs 20:5
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,

John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Psalm 36:9
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Matthew 12:34-35
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!


Treasury of Scripture

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

words

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 13:14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

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Proverbs 18
1. A fool delights not in understanding














The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
This phrase suggests that human speech can be profound and complex, much like deep waters that are difficult to fathom. In biblical times, water was a precious resource, often symbolizing life and sustenance. Deep waters can also imply hidden dangers or mysteries, reflecting the idea that words can conceal true intentions or meanings. This aligns with other scriptures, such as James 3:5-6, which discuss the power of the tongue and its potential for both good and harm. The imagery of deep waters may also evoke the wisdom literature's frequent use of nature to illustrate moral and spiritual truths.

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
In contrast to the deep waters, a bubbling brook suggests clarity, refreshment, and accessibility. A fountain or brook in the ancient Near East would be a source of life and vitality, often associated with purity and renewal. This imagery is used throughout scripture to describe divine wisdom, which is life-giving and readily available to those who seek it. Proverbs 13:14 and John 4:14 both use similar imagery to convey the sustaining and refreshing nature of wisdom and truth. The bubbling brook can also be seen as a type of Christ, who offers living water to those who believe in Him, as seen in John 7:38. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between human words, which can be obscure, and divine wisdom, which is clear and life-affirming.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and godly living are reflected throughout the book of Proverbs.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

3. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes Job, Ecclesiastes, and some Psalms. This genre focuses on practical and philosophical insights into life and godliness.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Words have the potential to be deep and profound, influencing others significantly. We should be mindful of the impact our words can have.

Wisdom as a Source of Life
Just as a bubbling brook is refreshing and life-giving, true wisdom provides guidance and sustenance for the soul. Seek wisdom that aligns with God's truth.

Guarding Our Speech
Our speech should reflect the wisdom and life that comes from God. We should strive to speak words that edify and build up others.

Seeking Godly Wisdom
True wisdom comes from God and is characterized by purity, peace, and righteousness. We should continually seek God's wisdom through prayer and study of His Word.(4) The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters . . .--i.e., the words of a "man," properly so called, are as deep waters which cannot be easily fathomed; they are a copious stream, which flows from a never failing source; they are a fountain of wisdom which is never exhausted.

Verse 4. - The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters. "Man" (ish) here means the ideal man in all his wisdom and integrity, just as in Proverbs 18:22 the ideal wife is intended under the general term "wife." Such a man's words are as deep waters which cannot be fathomed or exhausted. The metaphor is common (see Proverbs 20:5; Ecclesiastes 7:24; Ecclus. 21:13). For "mouth," the Septuagint reads "heart:" "Deep water is a word in a man's heart." The second hemistich explains the first: The well spring of wisdom as a flowing (gushing) brook. A man's words are now called a well spring of wisdom, gushing forth from its source, the wise and understanding heart, pure, fresh, and inexhaustible. Septuagint, "And it leapeth forth (ἀναπηδύει) a river and a fountain of life." Or we may, with Delitzsch, take the whole as one idea, and consider that a man's words are deep waters, a bubbling brook, and a fountain of wisdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The words
דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of a man’s
אִ֑ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

mouth
פִי־ (p̄î-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

are deep
עֲ֭מֻקִּים (‘ă·muq·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6013: Deep

waters;
מַ֣יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

the fountain
מְק֣וֹר (mə·qō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4726: Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)

of wisdom
חָכְמָֽה׃ (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

is a bubbling
נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ (nō·ḇê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5042: To gush forth, to utter, to emit

brook.
נַ֥חַל (na·ḥal)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man's mouth (Prov. Pro Pr)
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