Proverbs 24:26
Proverbs 24:26 in Multiple Translations
An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.
An honest answer is a kiss on the lips.
They shall kisse the lippes of him that answereth vpright wordes.
Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.
Those who answer others honestly show that they are truly their friends [IDM].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 24:26
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 24:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׂפָתַ֥יִם
יִשָּׁ֑ק
מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב
דְּבָרִ֥ים
נְכֹחִֽים
שְׂפָתַ֥יִם
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd
יִשָּׁ֑ק
nâshaq
H5401
to kiss
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Hiphil
דְּבָרִ֥ים
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp
נְכֹחִֽים
nâkôach
H5228
straightforward
Adj
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 24:26
שְׂפָתַ֥יִם
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd
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.
יִשָּׁ֑ק
nâshaq
H5401
"to kiss"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To kiss or touch, also to equip with weapons, as seen in armed men or rulers. It appears in various forms, including a romantic kiss or a mode of attachment. In the Bible, it is used to describe intimate touch.
Definition: 1) to put together, kiss 1a) (Qal) to kiss 1b) (Piel) to kiss 1c) (Hiphil) to touch gently
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched. See also: Genesis 27:26; 2 Samuel 14:33; Psalms 2:12.
מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
דְּבָרִ֥ים
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-mp
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
נְכֹחִֽים
nâkôach
H5228
"straightforward"
Adj
Describes something or someone as straightforward or morally upright, like a just ruler. It appears in Proverbs to describe a person of integrity. Means being honest and fair in all interactions.
Definition: straight, right, straightness, be in front of
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: plain, right, uprightness. See also: 2 Samuel 15:3; Proverbs 24:26; Proverbs 8:9.
Study Notes — Proverbs 24:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 24:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 24:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 24:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 24:26
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 24:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
- Sermons on Proverbs 24:26
Context — Further Sayings of the Wise
24Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;
25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.
26An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
27Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house. 28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 15:23 | A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word! |
| 2 | Genesis 41:38–57 | So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” 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. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Proverbs 16:1 | The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. |
| 5 | Job 6:25 | How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? |
| 6 | Mark 12:17–18 | Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him. Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him: |
| 7 | Daniel 2:46–48 | 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. |
| 8 | Mark 12:32–34 | “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further. |
Proverbs 24:26 Summary
Proverbs 24:26 teaches us that giving an honest answer is a way of showing love and respect to others, like a kiss on the lips. When we speak the truth, we build trust and strengthen our relationships, as seen in Ephesians 4:25. This means being truthful and sincere in all our interactions, even if it's difficult or uncomfortable. By doing so, we follow the example of Jesus, who is the truth (John 14:6), and we reflect His character in our words and actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to give an honest answer in Proverbs 24:26?
Giving an honest answer means speaking the truth in a straightforward and sincere way, as seen in Proverbs 24:26, and is similar to the instruction in Ephesians 4:25 to speak the truth in love.
Why is an honest answer compared to a kiss on the lips in this verse?
The comparison of an honest answer to a kiss on the lips in Proverbs 24:26 suggests that honest communication is a sign of affection, respect, and intimacy, much like the act of kissing, as seen in the example of the father's kiss in Luke 15:20.
How does this verse relate to our relationships with others?
Proverbs 24:26 emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in our interactions with others, which is also taught in Colossians 3:9-10, where we are instructed to put away deceit and speak the truth to one another.
What are the consequences of not giving an honest answer?
Not giving an honest answer can lead to damaged relationships, mistrust, and even condemnation, as seen in Proverbs 24:24-25, where those who tell the guilty they are innocent are cursed by the people and denounced by nations.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I apply the principle of giving honest answers in my daily conversations with family, friends, and colleagues?
- How can I balance the need to speak the truth with the need to be kind and compassionate, as seen in Ephesians 4:15?
- What are some common situations where I might be tempted to give a dishonest answer, and how can I prepare myself to respond truthfully in those situations?
- How can I use Proverbs 24:26 as a guide for building stronger, more meaningful relationships with those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 24:26
[Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 24:26
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. (Every man) shall kiss his lips (the sign of love, 2 Samuel 15:5) that giveth a right answer - (Proverbs 25:11; Proverbs 15:23; contrast
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
Every man shall kiss his lips, shall highly respect and love him, of which kissing was a sign, that giveth a right answer; who being called to speak, either as a judge, or witness, or otherwise, in weighty matters, speaks pertinently, and plainly, and truly, to the conviction and satisfaction of the hearers.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
Proverbs 24:26 [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.Ver. 26. Every man shall kiss his lips.] That is, Shall do him honour, as Genesis 41:40. All the people shall kiss at thy mouth, saith Pharaoh to Joseph; and Samuel kissed Saul when he anointed him king; and, "Kiss the Son," saith David. That is, Give unto him the honour due unto his name.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
(26) Every man shall kiss his lips . . . Rather, He kisseth the lips that giveth right answers. His words are as pleasant as if he had kissed the inquirer’s lips.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
Verse 26. Kiss his lips] Shall treat him with affection and respect.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 24:26
26. Every man shall kiss his lips] Rather, he kisseth the lips, or with the lips: i.e. a right answer is as grateful and conciliating as a friendly salutation.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 24:26
Better, He shall kiss lips that giveth a right answer, i. e., he shall gain the hearts of men as much as by all outward signs of sympathy and favor. Compare 2 Samuel 15:1-6.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 24:26
26. Shall kiss lips that giveth a right answer — When a judge speaks upright words — gives a just decision — men salute him with respect and affection.
Sermons on Proverbs 24:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Husbands Love Your Wifes! by Keith Daniel | Keith Daniel emphasizes the biblical command for husbands to love their wives, drawing from Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:25. He highlights the importance of 'cleaving' to one's spo |
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A Season and a Time by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of using words wisely and knowing when to keep silent. He shares a personal story of encountering a young man with a rebellio |
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The Power of the Tongue by Peter Maiden | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of the tongue and its potential for both life and death. He urges listeners to speak truthfully and to restrain themselves in conve |
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A Time to Be Silent by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of words and the destructive impact they can have on others. He shares a personal story of witnessing a man's life being destroyed |
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Still, Small Voices by Carter Conlon | This sermon from 1 Kings chapter 19 titled 'Still Small Voices' emphasizes the power of a small, still voice of God in times of discouragement and spiritual conflict. It highlights |
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The Prayer of Jabez by J.C. Philpot | Joseph Philpot preaches on the prayer of Jabez, highlighting the desires and breathings of a soul seeking God's blessings, spiritual enlargement, divine guidance, and deliverance f |
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Letter: 10e 29 G v Wigram, Stafford, January 31st, 1839 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby emphasizes the necessity of maintaining order within the church by addressing and stopping those who speak error or are led by the flesh. He advocates for a balan |