Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 18:21 in Multiple Translations
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
What you say can cause others to be killed or it can cause them to continue to live; so those who like to talk a lot must ◄accept the consequences/realize that what they say can cause much harm►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 18:21
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 18:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מָ֣וֶת
וְ֭/חַיִּים
בְּ/יַד
לָשׁ֑וֹן
וְ֝/אֹהֲבֶ֗י/הָ
יֹאכַ֥ל
פִּרְיָֽ/הּ
מָ֣וֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
וְ֭/חַיִּים
chay
H2416
alive
Conj | N-mp
בְּ/יַד
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs
לָשׁ֑וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs
וְ֝/אֹהֲבֶ֗י/הָ
ʼâhab
H157
to love
Conj | V-Qal | Suff
יֹאכַ֥ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
פִּרְיָֽ/הּ
pᵉrîy
H6529
fruit
N-ms | Suff
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 18:21
מָ֣וֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
וְ֭/חַיִּים
chay
H2416
"alive"
Conj | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
בְּ/יַד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
לָשׁ֑וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
N-cs
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
וְ֝/אֹהֲבֶ֗י/הָ
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
Conj | V-Qal | Suff
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
יֹאכַ֥ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
פִּרְיָֽ/הּ
pᵉrîy
H6529
"fruit"
N-ms | Suff
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.
Study Notes — Proverbs 18:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 18:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
- Sermons on Proverbs 18:21
Context — The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
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. 23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Matthew 12:35–37 | 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. 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.” |
| 3 | Colossians 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |
| 4 | Proverbs 10:19–21 | When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment. |
| 5 | James 3:6–9 | The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. |
| 6 | Proverbs 13:2–3 | From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. |
| 7 | Proverbs 10:31 | The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. |
| 8 | Proverbs 18:4–7 | The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. |
| 9 | Ecclesiastes 10:12–14 | The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? |
| 10 | Proverbs 12:13 | An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. |
Proverbs 18:21 Summary
This verse means that the words we say have a lot of power, and can either help or hurt people. When we speak, we can bring life and happiness to those around us, or we can bring sadness and pain. The Bible says that our words are like seeds, and we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). By choosing to speak kindly and encouragingly, we can bring joy and blessing to others, and to ourselves, just like it says in Proverbs 12:18 and Ephesians 4:29.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that life and death are in the power of the tongue?
This means that the words we speak have the power to bring life, encouragement, and hope to others, or to bring death, discouragement, and harm, as seen in Ephesians 4:29 and James 3:9-10.
How can our words have such a significant impact on others?
Our words can build up or tear down, and the Bible warns us to be careful with our speech, as stated in Proverbs 12:18 and Colossians 4:6.
What does it mean to 'love' the tongue, and what is the 'fruit' that we will eat?
To love the tongue means to enjoy talking and speaking, and the 'fruit' refers to the consequences of our words, whether good or bad, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8 and Matthew 12:37.
How can we use our tongues to bring life and blessing to others?
We can use our words to encourage, comfort, and uplift others, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Hebrews 3:13, and by doing so, we will reap a harvest of blessing and life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have used my words to bring life or death to those around me?
- How can I be more mindful of the power of my tongue and use it to build up others?
- What are some scriptures that I can meditate on to help me speak life-giving words?
- How can I balance honesty and kindness in my speech, especially in difficult conversations?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:21
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue,.... Of witnesses, according to the testimony they bear; of judges, according to the sentence they pass; of teachers, according to the doctrine they
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Death and life (are) in the power of the tongue. "Death and life," both of body and soul; both of the speakers and the hearers.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
Are in the power of the tongue; are brought upon men by the good or bad use of their tongues. That love it; either, 1. The tongue; that love and use much talking, which is oft censured as a sin, and a cause of mischief. See . Or, 2. The use of their tongue in either of those ways, which are plainly supposed in the former clause of the verse: they who do not only speak well, which a wicked man may sometimes do; or speak ill, which a good man may possibly do; but do love, and therefore accustom themselves, to speak well or ill. Shall eat the fruit thereof; shall receive either good or evil, according to the quality of their speeches.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.Ver. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue.] That best and worst member of the body, as Bias told Amasis, king of Egypt; an "unruly evil set on fire of hell," saith St James of an ill tongue - as contrarily a good one is fired with zeal by the Holy Ghost. Fire, we know, is a good servant, but an ill lord; if it get above us once, there is no dealing with it. Hence it is, that as the careful householder lays a strict charge upon his children and servants to look well to their fire, so doth Solomon give often warning to have a care of the tongue. "For by thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condenmed," saith a greater than Solomon. The Arabians have a proverb, ‘ Take heed that thy tongue cut not thy throat.’ A word and a pest grow upon the same root in the Hebrew; to shew, saith one, that an evil tongue hath the pestilence in it. It spits up and down the room, as the serpent Dipsas, or as a candle, whose tallow is mixed with brine. Plutarch. Cave ne feriat lingua tua collum tuum. - Scalig.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
(21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue.—See above on Proverbs 4:23, where much the same power is attributed to the heart as is here given to the tongue as being its exponent. (Comp. also Proverbs 12:13.) They that love it—i.e., to use it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
Verse 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue] This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:21
21. love it] i.e. delight in using it, as an instrument either of “death” or of “life.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:21
21. Power of the tongue — Hebrew, hand of the tongue. Many men lose their lives by incautious words; others, by using prudent words, save their lives. False accusations and false testimony sometimes destroy men.
Sermons on Proverbs 18:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Tame Your Tongue by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taming one's tongue and the dangers of speaking evil. He compares the tongue to a treasure that can bring forth either goo |
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1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 1 by Richard Wurmbrand | This sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to God and each other, highlighting a personal story of enduring love and faithfulness through trials. It delves into the concept |
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Hard-Heartedness in the Body of Christ by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of daily prayer and Bible reading. He warns the congregation about the impending hard times and chaos that will come to the c |
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In the School of God by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the impact of words and the importance of being an example of a believer. He shares stories of individuals who excelled in their faith and |
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The Plague of Profanity by Jon Courson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the impact of profanity on society and how it desensitizes people to the reality of eternity. He explains that there was a time when words li |
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The Foremost Proof of Holiness by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his early days of preaching with great zeal but little wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of having both wisdom and fire in one's faith. |
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(Basics) 41. Jesus' Speech Was Always Loving by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love in our speech and how it reveals what is in our hearts. He questions why people belittle and hurt others with their wo |