Proverbs 8:6
Proverbs 8:6 in Multiple Translations
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Give ear, for my words are true, and my lips are open to give out what is upright.
Listen to me because I have valuable things to explain to you.
Giue eare, for I will speake of excellent things, and the opening of my lippes, shall teache things that be right.
Hearken, for noble things I speak, And the opening of my lips [is] uprightness.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.
Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say. What I say is what is fair/right.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 8:6
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 8:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שִׁ֭מְעוּ
כִּֽי
נְגִידִ֣ים
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר
וּ/מִפְתַּ֥ח
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗/י
מֵישָׁרִֽים
שִׁ֭מְעוּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
נְגִידִ֣ים
nâgîyd
H5057
leader
N-mp
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
וּ/מִפְתַּ֥ח
miphtâch
H4669
opening
Conj | N-ms
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗/י
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
מֵישָׁרִֽים
mêyshâr
H4339
uprightness
N-mp
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 8:6
שִׁ֭מְעוּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נְגִידִ֣ים
nâgîyd
H5057
"leader"
N-mp
This word refers to a leader or commander, someone who is in charge or has authority. In the Bible, it is used to describe military, civil, or religious leaders, such as princes or governors.
Definition: 1) leader, ruler, captain, prince 1a) ruler, prince 1b) prince-overseer 1c) ruler (in other capacities) 1d) princely things
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler. See also: 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Chronicles 29:22; Psalms 76:13.
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
וּ/מִפְתַּ֥ח
miphtâch
H4669
"opening"
Conj | N-ms
A miphtach is an opening or an utterance, referring to a doorway or a spoken word, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: opening, utterance
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: opening. See also: 1 Chronicles 9:27; Proverbs 8:6.
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗/י
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.
מֵישָׁרִֽים
mêyshâr
H4339
"uprightness"
N-mp
Uprightness refers to being fair and just, as seen in the Bible. It can also mean smoothness or straightness, often used to describe doing things rightly.
Definition: 1) evenness, uprightness, straightness, equity 1a) evenness, level, smoothness 1b) uprightness, equity 1c) rightly (as adv)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: agreement, aright, that are equal, equity, (things that are) right(-eously, things), sweetly, upright(-ly, -ness). See also: 1 Chronicles 29:17; Proverbs 2:9; Psalms 9:9.
Study Notes — Proverbs 8:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 8:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 8:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 8:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 8:6
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 8:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
- Sermons on Proverbs 8:6
Context — The Excellence of Wisdom
4“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.
5O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
7For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colossians 1:26 | the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. |
| 2 | Matthew 7:28–29 | When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. |
| 3 | Proverbs 23:16 | My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. |
| 4 | Proverbs 4:2 | For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. |
| 5 | Proverbs 4:20–22 | My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. |
| 6 | Psalms 19:7–11 | The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward. |
| 7 | Job 33:1–3 | “But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words. Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue. My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know. |
| 8 | Proverbs 22:20–21 | Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? |
| 9 | Matthew 13:35 | So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” |
| 10 | Proverbs 2:6–7 | For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, |
Proverbs 8:6 Summary
[This verse is saying that the speaker has important and good things to say, and when they talk, they will share what is right and true. This is like when someone wise and kind shares their thoughts with us, and we can learn from them, as seen in Proverbs 8:6 and supported by Psalms 37:30-31. The speaker is encouraging us to listen to their words because they will help us understand what is right and good, and this is in line with Ephesians 4:29, which instructs us to speak only what is helpful for building others up. By listening to and applying these words, we can become wiser and more like God, who is the ultimate source of wisdom and truth, as stated in Proverbs 2:6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to speak of 'noble things' in Proverbs 8:6?
In this context, 'noble things' refers to wise and virtuous words that promote righteousness and justice, as seen in Proverbs 8:6 and supported by Psalms 37:30-31, which says that the mouth of the righteous utters wisdom.
How can we be sure that the speaker's words will 'reveal right'?
The speaker's words will 'reveal right' because they are guided by a commitment to truth and righteousness, as stated in Proverbs 8:7, which says that the speaker's mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to their lips.
What is the significance of the speaker's 'lips' being opened to reveal right?
The opening of the speaker's lips symbolizes the act of speaking and sharing wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 8:6, and is reminiscent of Psalm 51:15, where the psalmist asks God to open their lips so they can declare God's praise.
How does this verse relate to our daily lives?
This verse encourages us to seek and share wisdom, just as the speaker does, and to prioritize righteousness and truth in our words and actions, as supported by Ephesians 4:29, which instructs us to speak only what is helpful for building others up.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'noble things' that I can speak about in my daily conversations, and how can I ensure that my words promote righteousness and justice?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of speaking truth and revealing right in my relationships and interactions with others?
- How can I cultivate a heart that is committed to speaking wisdom and virtue, like the speaker in Proverbs 8:6?
- What are some practical ways that I can 'open my lips' to share God's wisdom and praise with those around me, as seen in Psalm 51:15?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 8:6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things,.... Such are the things of the Gospel; they not only excel what the light of nature dictates and directs to, but even what the law of Moses commands and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 8:6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things - literally, 'princely things' ( nªgiydiym (H5057)).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
Of excellent things, Heb. of princely things, worthy of princes to learn and practise them; or such as excel common things as much as princes do ordinary persons.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
Proverbs 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.Ver. 6. I will speak of excellent things.] ηγεμονικα; ruling cases, master sentences, axioms of state, principles for princes. "I have written for them the great things of my law." Solomon calls the Scriptures "lords of collections," as some sense that text, Ecclesiastes 12:11. Shall be right things.] Right for each man’ s particular purposes and occasions. The Scriptures are so penned, that every man may think they speak de se, in re sua of him and his affairs. In all the commandments of God, there is so much rectitude and good reason, could we but see it, that if God did not command them, yet it were our best way to practise them. Athanas.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
(6) The opening of my lips shall be right things.—That is, I will open my mouth to speak them.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
Verse 6. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things] נגידים negidim, things which are pre-eminent, and manifestly superior to all others. The teaching is not trifling, though addressed to triflers. The opening of my lips shall be right things.] מישרים meysharim, things which are calculated to correct your false notions, and set straight your crooked ways. Hence she declares,
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 8:6
6. excellent things] The word is always used elsewhere of persons, princes, or leaders. Here, poetically, my words shall march forth, instinct with the nobility of truth and rectitude.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 8:6
Excellent - literally, “princely things.” The word is not the same as in marginal reference, and is elsewhere always used of persons (compare “captain” in 1 Samuel 9:16; 2 Samuel 5:2).
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 8:6
6. Excellent things — Noble, princely things; things of primary importance, or plain, obvious things, (Proverbs 8:9.) The word is elsewhere always used of persons: see 1 Samuel 9:16; 2 Samuel 5:2, in
Sermons on Proverbs 8:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prudence: The Discipline of Godly Speech by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of developing the skill of wisdom and prudence. The speaker highlights that God's intention for all mankind is to live in peac |
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(Proverbs) ch.6:12 - 8:21 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of young people not realizing their need for God. He emphasizes the importance of humility and acknowledging one's need for God's gu |
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(Heavenly Vision) 3 - Vision and Calling by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of responding to the heavenly vision that God gives us. He uses the example of Abraham, who obeyed God's call to leave his id |
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The Local Church 1 - Part 2 by William MacDonald | This sermon delves into the distinction between Israel and the church, emphasizing that they are not a continuum but rather distinct entities in God's plan. It highlights how Israe |
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God Gives Blessing to Produce Fruit by George Warnock | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of God's work in producing spiritual fruit in the lives of believers. He compares the rain that waters plants and produces bea |
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Living in Christ by Paul Cedolia | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God and not relying solely on personal opinions or experiences. He compares the refining process of s |
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Christ in You, the Hope of Glory by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber shares a powerful sermon using a story of an army facing challenges and victories to illustrate the importance of understanding the mystery of Christ dwelling wit |