Proverbs 17:27
New International Version
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

New Living Translation
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

English Standard Version
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Berean Standard Bible
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

King James Bible
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

New King James Version
He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

New American Standard Bible
One who withholds his words has knowledge, And one who has a cool spirit is a person of understanding.

NASB 1995
He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

NASB 1977
He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who holds back his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of discernment.

Amplified Bible
He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words, And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).

Christian Standard Bible
The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a person of understanding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding.

American Standard Version
He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Contemporary English Version
It makes a lot of sense to be a person of few words and to stay calm.

English Revised Version
He that spareth his words hath knowledge: and he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.

Good News Translation
Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight.

International Standard Version
Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable; anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.

Majority Standard Bible
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

NET Bible
The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

New Heart English Bible
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

World English Bible
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, "" And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.

Young's Literal Translation
One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding.

Smith's Literal Translation
He withholding his words will shew knowledge: I man of understanding is a cool spirit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.

New American Bible
Those who spare their words are truly knowledgeable, and those who are discreet are intelligent.

New Revised Standard Version
One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who spares his words has knowledge; and he who is patient is a wise man.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that spares his words knows knowledge, and a patient man is wise.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty. 27A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. 28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.…

Cross References
James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

James 3:2
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

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.

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

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.


Treasury of Scripture

He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

spareth

Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

an excellent spirit

Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Ecclesiastes 9:17
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

James 3:18
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

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Proverbs 17
1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked














A man of knowledge
The phrase "a man of knowledge" refers to an individual who possesses not just information, but wisdom and discernment. In the Hebrew context, the word for knowledge, "דַּעַת" (da'at), implies a deep, experiential understanding that goes beyond mere facts. This knowledge is rooted in the fear of the Lord, as Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." A man of knowledge is someone who has cultivated a relationship with God, allowing divine wisdom to guide his actions and words.

Restrains his words
To "restrain" one's words is to exercise self-control and discretion in speech. The Hebrew word "חָשַׂךְ" (chasak) means to hold back or keep in check. This restraint is a hallmark of wisdom, as it reflects an understanding of the power of words to build up or tear down. In a world where words are often used carelessly, the ability to hold one's tongue is a sign of maturity and spiritual insight. James 1:19 echoes this sentiment: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger."

A man of understanding
The phrase "a man of understanding" highlights a person who possesses insight and discernment. The Hebrew word "תְּבוּנָה" (tevunah) suggests a deep comprehension that enables one to see beyond the surface. This understanding is not merely intellectual but is spiritually informed, allowing the individual to navigate life's complexities with grace and wisdom. Such understanding is a gift from God, as seen in Proverbs 2:6: "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Maintains a calm spirit
To "maintain a calm spirit" is to exhibit peace and composure, even in challenging situations. The Hebrew word "שָׁקַט" (shakat) means to be quiet or at rest. This calmness is a reflection of inner peace that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness. A calm spirit is not easily provoked or disturbed, demonstrating a reliance on God's strength rather than one's own. Philippians 4:7 speaks to this peace: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

(27) He that hath knowledge . . .--This verse will better be rendered, He that restrains his words hath knowledge, and one who is cool of temper is a man of understanding. The avoidance of rash speech and hasty temper is here advised.

Verse 27. - He that hath knowledge spareth his words; Revised Version, he that spareth his words hath knowledge; he shows his common sense, not by rash talk or saying all he knows, but by restraining his tongue (comp. Proverbs 10:19; James 1:19). 'Pirke Aboth' (1:18), "All my days I have grown up amongst the wise, and have not found aught good for a man but silence; not learning but doing is the groundwork, and whoso multiplies words occasions sin" Say the Greek gnomes -

Ἐνίοις τὸ σιγᾷν ἐστὶ κρεῖττον τοῦ λέγειν
Κρεῖττον σιωπᾷν η} λαλεῖν α} μὴ πρέπει And Theognis (5:815) writes -

Βοῦς μοι ἐπὶ γλώσσης κρατερῷ ποδὶ λὰξ ἐπιβαίνων
Ἴσχει κωτίλλειν καίπερ ἐπιστάμενον Speech for a shekel, silence for two; it is like a precious stone ('Qoheleth Rabbah,' 5:5). Septuagint, "He who spareth to utter a harsh speech is prudent" (ἐπιγνώμων). A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit; Revised Version, he that is of a coot spirit is a man of understanding; i.e. he who considers before he speaks, and never answers in hot haste, proves that he is wise and intelligent. Septuagint, "The long suffering man is prudent." The above is the reading of the Khetib, followed by most interpreters. The Keri gives, "of a precious spirit" (pretiosi spiritus, Vulgate), that is, one whose words are weighty and valuable, not lavishly thrown about, but reserved as costly jewels.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A man of knowledge
יוֹדֵ֣עַ (yō·w·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

restrains
חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ (ḥō·w·śêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2820: To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe

his words,
אֲ֭מָרָיו (’ă·mā·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 561: Something said

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

of understanding
תְּבוּנָֽה׃ (tə·ḇū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8394: Intelligence, an argument, caprice

keeps a cool head.
יְקַר־ (yə·qar-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7119: Cool, quiet


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:27 He who spares his words has knowledge (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 17:26
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