Bible Strands
Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon's wisdom instruction, placed between a warning against punishing the innocent (17:26) and a note that even a fool appears wise when silent (17:28). The speaker is the wise teacher addressing the reader.
The words — חוֹשֵׂךְ (cho.Sekh, "restrains") is the operative verb of the first clause; יְקַר (ve.kar-, literally "noble" or "exalted") is rendered "calm" in the BSB, a shift from elevation to composure.
The thread — Proverbs 10:19 calls restraint of lips the mark of wisdom, and James 1:19 pairs slowness to speak with slowness to anger. James 3:18 extends the thread to peacemaking and its fruit.
Why it lands — The verse defines knowledge and understanding not by what one knows but by what one holds back: words and a volatile spirit. It asks the reader to treat silence and steadiness as the test of genuine grasp, not its absence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Cross-references
- James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
- James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
- Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
- James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
- Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
- Ecclesiastes 9:17 The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.