Proverbs 18:20
Proverbs 18:20 in Multiple Translations
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
People are happy when they hear others say [MTY] something that is good, like they are happy when they eat food that is good [MET].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 18:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 18:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִ/פְּרִ֣י
פִי
אִ֭ישׁ
תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע
בִּטְנ֑/וֹ
תְּבוּאַ֖ת
שְׂפָתָ֣י/ו
יִשְׂבָּֽע
מִ/פְּרִ֣י
pᵉrîy
H6529
fruit
Prep | N-ms
פִי
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms
אִ֭ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
בִּטְנ֑/וֹ
beṭen
H990
belly
N-fs | Suff
תְּבוּאַ֖ת
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
produce
N-fs
שְׂפָתָ֣י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
יִשְׂבָּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 18:20
מִ/פְּרִ֣י
pᵉrîy
H6529
"fruit"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means the fruit that comes from the ground or from our actions. It is used in many books, including Genesis and Isaiah, to describe the results of our labor or the consequences of our choices.
Definition: 1) fruit 1a) fruit, produce (of the ground) 1b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb) 1c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. See also: Genesis 1:11; Proverbs 18:20; Psalms 1:3.
פִי
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
אִ֭ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
בִּטְנ֑/וֹ
beṭen
H990
"belly"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.
תְּבוּאַ֖ת
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
"produce"
N-fs
This word means produce or income, referring to crops, revenue, or even the product of our lips. It is translated as fruit, gain, or revenue in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) produce, product, revenue 1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually) 1b) income, revenue 1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig) 1d) product of lips (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: fruit, gain, increase, revenue. See also: Genesis 47:24; 2 Kings 8:6; Psalms 107:37.
שְׂפָתָ֣י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd | Suff
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
יִשְׂבָּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
Study Notes — Proverbs 18:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 18:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 18:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
- Sermons on Proverbs 18:20
Context — The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:13–14 | An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. |
| 2 | Proverbs 25:11–12 | A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. |
| 3 | Proverbs 13:2 | From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. |
| 4 | Proverbs 22:18 | for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips. |
| 5 | Proverbs 22:21 | to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? |
Proverbs 18:20 Summary
[This verse means that the words we speak have a direct impact on our well-being and satisfaction. When we speak words of kindness, love, and truth, we can trust that God will bring a good harvest, and we will be filled and satisfied with the fruit of our mouth, as seen in Proverbs 18:20. This is similar to what Jesus taught in Matthew 12:34, that our words reveal what is in our heart. By choosing to speak words that are uplifting and encouraging, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from speaking life-giving words, as expressed in Proverbs 15:4.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have our belly filled with the fruit of our mouth?
This phrase suggests that the words we speak have a direct impact on our well-being and satisfaction, as seen in Proverbs 18:20. Our words can bring us joy, peace, and fulfillment, or they can lead to emptiness and dissatisfaction, as warned in Proverbs 21:23.
How does this verse relate to the power of the tongue?
This verse is closely tied to the idea that our words have power, as expressed in Proverbs 18:21, which says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. The words we speak can bring life, encouragement, and hope to ourselves and others, or they can bring death, discouragement, and harm.
What does it mean to be satisfied with the harvest from our lips?
To be satisfied with the harvest from our lips means that we are content with the consequences of our words, whether they be positive or negative, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8. When we speak words of kindness, love, and truth, we can trust that God will bring a good harvest, and we will be satisfied with the results.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of the words we speak, choosing to speak words that are uplifting, encouraging, and truthful, as exhorted in Ephesians 4:29. By doing so, we can trust that God will bring a good harvest, and we will be filled and satisfied with the fruit of our mouth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that my words have brought satisfaction or dissatisfaction to my life, and what can I learn from these experiences?
- How can I use my words to bring life, encouragement, and hope to those around me, as instructed in Proverbs 16:24?
- What are some negative patterns of speech that I need to break, and how can I replace them with positive, uplifting words, as encouraged in Philippians 4:8?
- How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment, so that I am satisfied with the harvest from my lips, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:18?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:20
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth,.... With his own words and discourses, when they are prudent, pious, and savoury; when they are with grace, and minister it; they are
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:20
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
Wise and edifying discourses tend to the comfort and satisfaction of the speaker, as well as to the good of the hearers.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
Proverbs 18:20 A man’ s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Ver. 20. A man’ s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth.] And with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.] It is worthy the observing, saith an interpreter here, that Solomon doth vary his words: he speaketh sometimes of the "mouth," sometimes of the "lips," sometimes of the "tongue," as Proverbs 18:21, to show that all the instruments or means of speech shall have, as it were, their proper and just reward.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
(20) A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth.—See above on Proverbs 12:14.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
Verse 20. With the fruit of his mouth] Our own words frequently shape our good or evil fortune in life.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 18:20
The general sense is plain. A man must for good or evil take the consequence of his words, as well as his deeds. Compare the marginal reference.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:20
20. A man’s belly… fruit of his mouth — A man’s words frequently determine his future for good or evil. Satisfied — Satiated, or filled with the fruits of his own discourse. “There is here a paradox in the form of statement.
Sermons on Proverbs 18:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(The Tongue of a Disciple) the Satan Controlled Tongue by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of wise and thoughtful speech when delivering God's word. He compares preparing a message to preparing a meal for a special gu |
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(Revelation - Part 7): The Rainbow Round the Throne by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of God being wholly other and transcendent, beyond human comprehension. He mentions a review of his book, "The Knowledge of the Ho |
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The Holy Spirit - Part 6 by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit in sharing the message of God, highlighting the need to avoid offending others and to wait for God's guidance |
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The Home Conversation by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the critical role of conversation in the home, arguing that while families invest in physical comforts and education, they often neglect the power of their w |
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Outer Life of Holiness by Dougan Clark | Dougan Clark emphasizes the importance of living a holy life based on the universally recognized standard of Christian morality, the Ten Commandments. He clarifies that both the ju |
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Bible Survey - Proverbs by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the importance of the fear of the Lord as the foundation of knowledge, contrasting wisdom with foolishness and emphasizing the practical application of Go |
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Comfort for the Church by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the comforting presence of God in the midst of His church, emphasizing that despite external and internal enemies, God's refuge and strength are always |