Proverbs 28:23
Proverbs 28:23 in Multiple Translations
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
He that rebuketh a man, shall finde more fauour at length, then he that flattereth with his tongue.
Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
He that rebuketh a man afterward shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.
He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more than those who say nice things to others merely to ◄flatter them/cause them to feel good►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 28:23
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 28:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ
אָדָ֣ם
אַ֭חֲרַי
חֵ֣ן
יִמְצָ֑א
מִֽ/מַּחֲלִ֥יק
לָשֽׁוֹן
מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ
yâkach
H3198
to rebuke
V-Hiphil
אָדָ֣ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
אַ֭חֲרַי
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep
חֵ֣ן
chên
H2580
favor
N-ms
יִמְצָ֑א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִֽ/מַּחֲלִ֥יק
châlaq
H2505
to divide
Prep | V-Hiphil
לָשֽׁוֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs
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 28:23
מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ
yâkach
H3198
"to rebuke"
V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to rebuke or correct, and is used in the Bible to describe arguing, judging, or convincing someone of their wrongdoings. It is seen in the KJV translation as rebuke or reprove. The word is used in various forms, including to describe God's correction of his people.
Definition: 1) to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to decide, judge 1a2) to adjudge, appoint 1a3) to show to be right, prove 1a4) to convince, convict 1a5) to reprove, chide 1a6) to correct, rebuke 1b) (Hophal) to be chastened 1c) (Niphal) to reason, reason together 1d) (Hithp) to argue
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise. See also: Genesis 20:16; Psalms 38:2; Psalms 6:2.
אָדָ֣ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
אַ֭חֲרַי
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
חֵ֣ן
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.
יִמְצָ֑א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
מִֽ/מַּחֲלִ֥יק
châlaq
H2505
"to divide"
Prep | V-Hiphil
To smooth means to make something slippery or deceitful, like in Proverbs where it warns against flattery. It can also mean to divide or separate something, like an inheritance.
Definition: 1) to divide, share, plunder, allot, apportion, assign 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to divide, apportion 1a2) to assign, distribute 1a3) to assign, impart 1a4) to share 1a5) to divide up, plunder 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to divide oneself 1b2) to be divided 1b3) to assign, distribute 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to divide, apportion 1c2) to assign, distribute 1c3) to scatter 1d) (Pual) to be divided 1e) (Hiphil) to receive a portion or part 1f) (Hithpael) to divide among themselves
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er). See also: Genesis 14:15; Job 27:17; Psalms 5:10.
לָשֽׁוֹן
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.
Study Notes — Proverbs 28:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 28:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
- Sermons on Proverbs 28:23
Context — The Boldness of the Righteous
21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys. 25A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 27:5–6 | Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. |
| 2 | Matthew 18:15 | If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. |
| 3 | Psalms 141:5 | Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked. |
| 4 | Proverbs 29:5 | A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. |
| 5 | 2 Peter 3:15–16 | Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 1:32–40 | Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” “Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.” Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound. |
| 7 | 2 Samuel 12:7 | Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. |
| 8 | Galatians 2:11 | When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned. |
| 9 | 1 Kings 1:23 | So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king. |
Proverbs 28:23 Summary
[This verse means that being honest and telling someone the truth, even if it's hard, will ultimately bring more respect and favor than trying to flatter them with nice words. This is because honesty shows that we care about the person and want to help them, whereas flattery is often just trying to get something from them. As it says in Proverbs 10:32, the mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, and in Ephesians 4:15, we are encouraged to speak the truth in love. By being truthful and loving, we can build strong and healthy relationships with others.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible say that rebuking someone will bring more favor than flattering them?
This is because rebuking someone in love, as seen in Proverbs 28:23, helps them to see their mistakes and change, which is a genuine display of care, whereas flattery is often insincere and self-serving, as warned against in Proverbs 26:28 and Jude 1:16.
How can I rebuke someone in a way that is loving and not hurtful?
To rebuke someone in love, we should follow the example of Jesus, who spoke the truth in love, as seen in Ephesians 4:15, and be mindful of our tone and motivation, as encouraged in Proverbs 15:1 and Matthew 7:3-5.
What is the difference between flattery and genuine praise?
Flattery is insincere and often self-serving, whereas genuine praise is sincere and focused on encouraging and building up others, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Proverbs 12:25.
How does this verse apply to my relationships with others?
This verse encourages us to be honest and truthful with others, even if it's difficult, as this will ultimately bring more favor and respect than trying to flatter or manipulate them, as seen in Proverbs 10:32 and Colossians 3:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to be more honest and truthful with others, even if it's difficult?
- How can I balance being truthful with being loving and compassionate, as Jesus demonstrated in His interactions with others?
- What are some ways I can show genuine care and concern for others, rather than just flattering them with my words?
- How can I create a safe and supportive environment where others feel comfortable receiving constructive feedback and rebuke?
- What are some potential consequences of flattering someone instead of being honest with them, and how can I avoid this in my relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:23
He that rebuketh a man,.... His friend and acquaintance, for any fault committed by him; which reproof he gives in a free and faithful manner, yet kind, tender, and affectionate.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:23
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. He that rebuketh a man, afterwards , [when the rebuked man shall find that the rebuke was for his good.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
Afterwards; when he comes calmly to consider the fidelity of the reprover, and the benefit coming to himself by the reproof, and withal the baseness and mischief of flattery.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.Ver. 23. He that rebuketh a man shall find, &c.] He that binds a madman, or rouseth up one in a lethargy, hath but little thank for present; so here. In the sweating sickness, they that were kept awake escaped; but the sickness was deadly to them that were suffered to sleep. Let us keep one another awake, saith a reverend man, - an unpleasing work on both sides, but we shall one day thank such. See how well Master Gilpin’ s plain dealing with the Bishop of Durham succeeded, in his Life written by Bishop Carlton, p. 58. Dr Sibbes.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
(23) He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour . . .—i.e., when the man reproved comes to his senses, and finds how true a friend the reprover has been to him. Or, the words may perhaps mean, He that rebuketh a man (that is going) backwards. (Compare Jeremiah 7:24, and James 5:20.)
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:23
23. Rebuketh — Reproves, admonishes. “Those reformed by admonition will afterward be grateful to their monitors.” — Stuart. A proverb often verified. Comp. Proverbs 27:6.
Sermons on Proverbs 28:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Should Christian's Drink Alcohol? - Part 1 by Keith Malcomson | Keith Malcomson addresses the controversial topic of alcohol consumption among Christians, highlighting the shift in attitudes towards social drinking within the church. He emphasi |
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The Ministry of the Day by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot addresses the light and superficial nature of the ministry of the day, pointing out the lack of depth, weight, and solidity in preaching the Gospel. He emphasizes the |
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Getting Ready for the End of All Things by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing for the end times by focusing on spiritual readiness rather than physical provisions. It highlights the need for forgiveness, lov |
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(Om Orientation) Action - Part 1 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and implementing the teachings of Jesus Christ. He criticizes the tendency to overlook or rationalize these t |
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Forgiveness by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a submissive and simple heart. He warns against causing others to sin and highlights the severe consequences for tho |
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Called to Be Accountable by Andy Stanley | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accountability in the Christian life. He argues that God does not expect us to struggle alone and that we all face the same |
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Garland, Texas - Forgiveness and Confession by J. Edwin Orr | This sermon emphasizes the importance of confession and repentance in maintaining fellowship with God and others. It highlights the need for sincere confession of faults to receive |