Bible Strands
Proverbs 20:15
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses readers navigating commercial and social transactions, placing the saying between a warning about deceptive buyers and a rule on financial collateral.
The words — יְקָר (ye.Kar) denotes preciousness or rare value, and שִׂפְתֵי־דַעַת (sif.tei- Da.'at) translates literally as lips of knowledge.
The thread — This valuation of insight over material wealth runs through Proverbs 8:11, which ranks wisdom above rubies, and Proverbs 16:16, which declares understanding more desirable than silver. The motif of precious metal reappears in Proverbs 25:12, where a wise rebuke is compared to gold ornamentation.
Why it lands — It requires readers to treat discerning speech and practical understanding as superior to accumulating gold and rubies, measuring true worth by intellectual and moral clarity rather than material abundance.
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
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
- Proverbs 25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
- Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
- Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
- Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
- Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
- Romans 10:14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
- Job 28:12 But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell?
- Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.