Proverbs 22:11
Proverbs 22:11 in Multiple Translations
He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
He that loveth pureness of heart, For the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
Hee that loueth purenesse of heart for the grace of his lippes, the King shalbe his friend.
Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, Grace [are] his lips, a king [is] his friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 22:11
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 22:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֹהֵ֥ב
טהור
טְהָר
לֵ֑ב
חֵ֥ן
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/ו
רֵעֵ֥/הוּ
מֶֽלֶךְ
אֹהֵ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
to love
V-Qal
טהור
ṭâhôwr
H2889
pure
Adj
טְהָר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
pure
Adj
לֵ֑ב
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms
חֵ֥ן
chên
H2580
favor
N-ms
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/ו
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
רֵעֵ֥/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms | Suff
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 22:11
אֹהֵ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
V-Qal
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.
טהור
ṭâhôwr
H2889
"pure"
Adj
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Definition: 1) pure, clean 1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals) 1b) pure (physically) 1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: clean, fair, pure(-ness). See also: Genesis 7:2; Leviticus 13:40; Psalms 12:7.
טְהָר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
"pure"
Adj
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Definition: 1) pure, clean 1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals) 1b) pure (physically) 1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: clean, fair, pure(-ness). See also: Genesis 7:2; Leviticus 13:40; Psalms 12:7.
לֵ֑ב
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
חֵ֥ן
chên
H2580
"favor"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means showing kindness or favor to someone, like God's graciousness to humanity. It appears in the Bible as 'favor' or 'grace'.
Definition: 1) favour, grace, charm 1a) favour, grace, elegance 1b) favour, acceptance
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured. See also: Genesis 6:8; 1 Samuel 20:29; Psalms 45:3.
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/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.
רֵעֵ֥/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
Study Notes — Proverbs 22:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 22:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 22:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 22:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 22:11
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 22:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
- Sermons on Proverbs 22:11
Context — A Good Name
9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless. 13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 16:13 | Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. |
| 2 | Matthew 5:8 | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. |
| 3 | Psalms 101:6 | My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me. |
| 4 | Proverbs 14:35 | A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful. |
| 5 | Psalms 45:2 | You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever. |
| 6 | Daniel 2:46–49 | At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering of incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court. |
| 7 | Ezra 7:6–11 | this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. So in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, he went up to Jerusalem with some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was upon him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel. This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel: |
| 8 | Genesis 41:39–57 | Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh declared to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission, no one in all the land of Egypt shall lift his hand or foot.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt. During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it. So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure. Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. |
| 9 | Daniel 3:30 | Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. |
| 10 | Luke 4:22 | All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked. |
Proverbs 22:11 Summary
This verse is saying that if we want to have good relationships with important people, like kings or leaders, we need to have a heart that is pure and lips that speak kindly. This means being honest, truthful, and respectful in all our interactions, as described in Ephesians 4:29. By living this way, we can build strong and meaningful relationships with others, and even with God Himself, as seen in Proverbs 21:1. It's not about seeking power or wealth, but about seeking to please God and live a life of integrity and character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'pure heart' in Proverbs 22:11?
A pure heart refers to a heart that is free from sin and corruption, as described in Psalm 51:10 and Matthew 5:8. It is a heart that is fully devoted to God and seeks to please Him in all things.
How can I develop 'gracious lips' as mentioned in this verse?
Gracious lips refer to speaking kindly and truthfully, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6. This involves being mindful of the words we speak and seeking to edify and bless others through our conversation.
What does it mean to 'have the king for a friend' in this context?
Having the king for a friend means to have a close and intimate relationship with those in positions of authority, including God Himself, as described in Proverbs 21:1 and 2 Chronicles 16:9. It involves being a person of integrity and character, and seeking to honor God in all aspects of life.
Is this verse promising wealth or material success to those who love a pure heart and gracious lips?
No, this verse is not promising wealth or material success, but rather a deep and abiding relationship with God and others, as described in Matthew 6:33 and 1 Timothy 6:6-10. True success and fulfillment come from seeking to please God and live a life of integrity and character.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a pure heart and gracious lips in my own life, and what obstacles might I face in this pursuit?
- How can I balance the desire to please God with the desire to please others, and what does this verse teach about the importance of integrity and character?
- In what ways can having a pure heart and gracious lips impact my relationships with others, including those in positions of authority?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His desire for relationship with us, and how can I respond to this revelation in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart,.... Though man's heart is naturally impure, and all that is in it, the thoughts, affections, mind, conscience, understanding, and will; yet there is such a thing as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
That loveth pureness of heart; who is plain-hearted or sincere, and abhors dissimulation. For the grace of his lips; for those gracious speeches which naturally and commonly flow from a pure heart. Or, and (understand, loveth, out of the former clause) grace of his lips; whose discourse is gracious and sincere. The king shall be his friend; the greatest men will, or should, desire and highly prize the acquaintance and advice of such persons, rather than of dissemblers and flatterers, wherewith they are most commonly pestered.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
Proverbs 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.Ver. 11. He that loveth pureness of heart.] That is vexed at his inward pollutions, and affecteth (what he can never fully effect) to be pure as God is pure. He that hath gotten that pure lip, called here the grace of his lips, and elsewhere the "law of grace," he that can skill of those good words that do ingratiate with God and man (Genesis 49:21, compared with Deuteronomy 33:23), he is fit to make a courtier, a favourite, such as was Joseph, Mordecai, Daniel, who though he used not always verbis byssinis, soft and silken words, but delivered heavy messages from God to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, yet God so wrought their hearts, though tyrants, that they greatly honoured him and highly preferred him. And when, out of his love to pureness of heart, he chose rather affliction than sin, to be cast to the lions than to bear a lion in his own bosom by offending his conscience, God made the king’ s heart yearn towards him; so that this plain dealing "Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian."
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
(11) For the grace of his lips.—Rather, who has grace of lips; one who loves the truth and can speak it pleasantly.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
Verse 11. He that loveth pureness of heart] Who aims to be what God would have him to be - the King of kings shall be his Friend. There is no class of men that value uprightness more than kings; as none stand so much in need of it in their servants.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 22:11
11. for the grace of] If this rendering be retained, with both A.V. and R.V. text, it will mean that purity of heart, honest and good motives, will produce such winning speech as, by contrast with the empty and hollow flattery of the courtier, will conciliate the favour of the king. Comp. Proverbs 16:13, and Ecclesiastes 10:12 : “the words of the wise are gracious.” We may render, however, with R.V. marg., “that hath grace in his lips,” and then the meaning will be that if he who has pure motives (loveth pureness of heart) has also a happy gift of expressing himself (grace in his lips), he will be sure to make the king his friend.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 22:11
More literally, “He that loveth pureness of heart, his lips are gracious, the king is his friend.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 22:11
11. Loveth pureness of heart — He that loves purity and sincerity. For the grace of his lips — The sincerity and truthfulness of his speech and life, the king (is) his friend. The verse is obscure.
Sermons on Proverbs 22:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Christ Building His Church - Part 2 by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker shares an illustration about how some people have corrupt minds that always think evil thoughts. After the sermon, a millionaire approached the speaker |
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Repentance in Kansas City by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of Christian meetings and how they often fail to truly impact people. He emphasizes the need for authenticity and a genuine encoun |
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"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
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Accountability to God - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the critical need for accountability to God, illustrating the transformative power of genuine repentance and the pursuit of purity in the heart. He rec |
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Deeper Waters - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound depth of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the themes of sanctification and the nature of Jesus as both divine and human. He ar |
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(Pdf Book) Beauty of Christ Through Brokenness by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of brokenness in the Christian life, illustrating that true humility and surrender to God are essential for reflecting Christ's image. He |
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A Pure Heart by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to the Lord and not being deceived by sin. He warns against the love of the world, which includes the lust |