Put away deception from your mouth;
This phrase emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in speech. In biblical context, deception is often associated with sin and is contrary to the nature of God, who is truth (John 14:6). The call to put away deception aligns with the wisdom literature's broader theme of living righteously and in accordance with God's commandments. Historically, in ancient Israel, truthfulness was a valued trait, essential for maintaining community trust and justice. The exhortation to avoid deception can be seen as a reflection of the ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

keep your lips from perverse speech.
Perverse speech refers to language that is corrupt, misleading, or morally twisted. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, speech was a powerful tool that could build up or destroy communities. The wisdom literature often contrasts the speech of the wise with that of the foolish, highlighting the destructive potential of perverse words (Proverbs 10:31-32). This phrase calls for self-control and discernment in communication, aligning with the biblical principle that words reflect the heart's condition (Matthew 12:34). The New Testament reinforces this idea, urging believers to let no corrupting talk come out of their mouths, but only what is good for building up (Ephesians 4:29). This aligns with the character of Jesus Christ, who is depicted as the Word made flesh (John 1:14), embodying perfect truth and purity in speech.

1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and guidance.

2. Israel
The nation to whom Solomon originally addressed his teachings, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and righteous living.

3. The Father and Son
In the broader context of Proverbs 4, the father imparts wisdom to his son, symbolizing the transmission of godly wisdom from one generation to the next.Guard Your Speech
Our words have power and can either build up or tear down. As believers, we are called to speak truth and avoid deception.

Heart and Mouth Connection
What we say reflects what is in our hearts. We must cultivate a heart aligned with God's truth to ensure our speech is pure.

Avoiding Perverse Speech
This includes not only lies but also gossip, slander, and any form of communication that does not honor God.

Seek Wisdom
Regularly immerse yourself in Scripture to gain wisdom that will guide your speech and actions.

Accountability
Surround yourself with fellow believers who can lovingly hold you accountable for your words and encourage you in your walk with Christ.(24) A froward mouth.--Heb. 'iqqesh-th, literally, distortion, or twisting of the truth, not the same word as in Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 2:14.

Perverse lips--i.e., that "turn aside" from the truth.

Verse 24. - The following admonitions of this chapter bear reference to the outward conduct of life. They continue the subject of ver. 23 by showing how the guarding of the heart is to be done. There is the most; intimate connection between the heart as the fountain of the moral life and of the conduct of life, which, though determined by the condition of the heart, in its turn reacts upon the heart as the moral centre, and keeps it pure. Thus the subject is treated from its two sides. On vers. 24 and 25 Hitzig remarks that they "warn against an arbitrary perverting of the moral judgment into which evil passions so easily betray, and admonish not to give misdirection to thought within the department of morality." A froward mouth, and perverse lips; literally, perverseness of mouth and waywardness of lips (ikk'shuth peh vulzuth s'phathayim). "Perversity of mouth" is fraudulent, deceitful speech; that which twists, distorts, perverts, or misrepresents what is true, and hence falsehood (Proverbs 4:24; Proverbs 6:12; Proverbs 19:1). The σκολιὸν στόμα of the LXX., i.e. the "tortuous mouth," in a metaphorical sense. The phrase is very similar in meaning with the parallel "waywardness of lips," which means speech which turns aside from what is true and right, the noun lazuth being derived from lazah, or luz, "to bend aside." The tongue is the unruly member (James 3:2). Speech is the index of the mind (Lapide). Vigilance over the heart is vigilance over the mouth, inasmuch as "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). The admonition may have a twofold application, and may mean either do not indulge in this kind of speech yourself, exercise an unremitting jealousy over every propensity to it; or have no dealings with those who are guilty of it, as in Psalm 101:5.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Put
הָסֵ֣ר (hā·sêr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

away
מִ֭מְּךָ (mim·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

deception
עִקְּשׁ֣וּת (‘iq·qə·šūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6143: Crookedness

from your mouth;
פֶּ֑ה (peh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

keep
הַרְחֵ֥ק (har·ḥêq)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant

your lips
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם (p̄ā·ṯa·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

from perverse speech.
וּלְז֥וּת (ū·lə·zūṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3891: Deviation, crookedness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth (Prov. Pro Pr)