Proverbs 24:26 — Word Study
WLCשְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃
BSAAn honestnâkôach [straightforward, morally upright] answerdâbâr givenshûwb is like a kissnâshaq▸ [to touch, show affection] ◂on the lipssâphâh [the edge of speech, language]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שְׂפָתַ֥יִם | lips | Noun common, feminine dual absolute |
| יִשָּׁ֑ק | he kisses | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב | [one who] bring back | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular |
| דְּבָרִ֥ים | words | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| נְכֹחִֽים׃ | right | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips. |
| KJV | Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. |
| ASV | He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer. |
| YLT | Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words. |
| WEB | An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. |
| BBE | He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer. |
Where they part company is נְכֹחִֽים — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents the subject and action, with additional phrases providing metaphorical context.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָשַׁק
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 24:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Communicationgenerated
Proverbs 24:26 emphasizes the importance of honest communication, likening a truthful answer to a kiss on the lips. This metaphor suggests that honesty is not only essential but also nurturing in relationships. The surrounding verses reinforce the theme of integrity and the consequences of one's words, guiding readers towards wise interactions.
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 | Proverbs 16:1 | The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. |
| 3 | Proverbs 25:11–12 | A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
| 4 | Genesis 41:38–57 | So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” |
| 5 | 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 Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְכֹחִֽים, ne.kho.Chimgenerated
The Hebrew word נָכֹחַ (*nakoach*) means 'straight' or 'right,' indicating straightforwardness and moral integrity. It is used to describe a person who is honest and fair, particularly in their speech and actions.
In this verse, it underscores the value of providing truthful answers, which enriches relationships and fosters trust. The parsing as an adjective emphasizes its quality, suggesting that such responses are not just correct but also ethically sound.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has right, which aligns with the KJV, ASV, and others.
Where others part company with the BSB is over נְכֹחִֽים — straightforward (LSV, YLT) emphasizes clarity and directness, while right (ASV, KJV) leans on moral correctness.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִשָּׁ֑ק, he kisses, governs the sentence, with two noun phrases: the subject שְׂפָתַ֥יִם (lips) and the object דְּבָרִ֥ים (words). The structure shows a clear relationship between the act of kissing and the nature of the response.
The word order places emphasis on the action of kissing, suggesting that the quality of the answer is as affectionate as the kiss itself.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שְׂפָתַ֥יִם as ξείλη, which refers to 'lips' and aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning. This choice maintains the metaphor of affection associated with honest communication.
The Greek word for 'right' is ἀγαθούς, which carries a moral implication, similar to the Hebrew, emphasizing the ethical quality of the words.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 24:26 compares an honest answer to a kiss on the lips, showing how valuable truthful communication is in relationships. The verse highlights the importance of integrity in our words, suggesting that honesty fosters trust and affection.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
An honest answer is one that is straightforward and morally upright, reflecting truthfulness in communication.
A kiss symbolizes affection and warmth, suggesting that honesty in communication nurtures relationships.
Being truthful involves being clear and fair in your responses, considering the impact of your words on others.
Dishonest answers can damage trust and relationships, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I practice honesty in my daily conversations?
- What are some situations where I might be tempted to give a dishonest answer?
- In what ways can truthfulness enhance my relationships with others?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of communication?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, noting that the kiss symbolizes peace and love, linking the act of answering correctly to the affection shown in a kiss.
He will kiss the lips, etc. The kiss is a sign of peace and love. Therefore, he who answers correctly will kiss the lips, because whoever follows the words of justice alone, neglecting the acceptance of persons,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 24 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 24:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.
Read John Gill on Proverbs 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryEvery 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
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleEvery 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 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.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 24 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 24 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Kiss his lips] Shall treat him with affection and respect.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. 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.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 24 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBetter, 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.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 24 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer.
Tyndale line
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
They shall kisse the lippes of him that answereth vpright wordes.
Strictly literal
He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.
Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.
He who is returning straightforward words kisses lips.
Men will kiss the lips of him that giveth a proper answer.
The one who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.
From the Latin
He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.
Simplified
An honest answer is a kiss on the lips.
He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 24:26 states, "שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃" which translates to "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation, matches all five words in a word-by-word correspondence, indicating that it agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the key concepts presented. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, so the consensus among these witnesses supports the same idea of valuing honest communication as something precious and intimate.
שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 24:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
8193 saphah saw-faw'
or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from
5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by
analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,
bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,
prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
see HEBREW for 05595
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 05490
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.
: 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)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.
: words/language
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)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.
: edge/border/opening
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)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.
: shore/bank(of_sea/river)
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)
N-fd — Noun common · feminine dual absoluteHNcfda
נָשַׁק (nashaq) primarily means 'to kiss,' with various forms indicating gentle touching or equipping with weapons. The exact meaning can be uncertain, possibly extending to handling or being equipped. It appears in contexts related to affection and attachment, as well as in descriptions of armed individuals.
נָשַׁק vb. kiss
Qal kiss
Pi. kiss
Hiph. of wings of cherubim, gently touching each other
base
[נָשַׁק] vb. exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with
base
H5401a נָשַׁק kiss H5401b נָשַׁק exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with
5401 nashaq naw-shak'
a primitive root (identical with 5400, through the idea of
fastening up; compare 2388, 2836); to kiss, literally or
figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip
with weapons:--armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched.
see HEBREW for 05400
see HEBREW for 02388
see HEBREW for 02836
נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to kiss.
1) to put together, kiss
1a) (Qal) to kiss
1b) (Piel) to kiss
1c) (Hiphil) to touch gently
נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to handle.
1) to handle, be equipped with
1a) (Qal) to be equipped
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: 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)
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singularHVhrmsa
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word נָכֹחַ (*nakoach*) means 'straight' or 'right,' and can refer to concepts of straightforwardness and integrity. It is derived from a related term and covers both literal and figurative meanings, including uprightness and correctness. The entries collectively emphasize its use in describing moral or ethical qualities.
[נָכֹחַ] adj. and subst. straight, right, straightness
base
H5228 נָכֹחַ straight, right, straightness
5228 nakoach naw-ko'-akh
from the same as 5226; straightforward, i.e. (figuratively),
equitable, correct, or (abstractly), integrity:--plain,
right, uprightness.
see HEBREW for 05226
נָכֹחַ (na.kho.ach) — straightforward.
straight, right, straightness, be in front of
Adj — AdjHAampa
rit (yashar, mishpaT; dikaios, euthus): Many Hebrew words are translated "right," with different shades of meaning. Of these the two noted are the most important: yashar, with the sense of being straight, direct, as "right in the sight" of Yahweh (Ex 15:26; De 12:25, etc.), in one's own eyes (Jud 17:6), "right words" (Job 6:25 the King James Version, yosher), "right paths" (Pr 4:11 the King James Version); and mishpaT "judgment" "cause" etc., a forensic term, as "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Ge 18:25). In
