Proverbs 25:11

Study note

Setting — The wise instructor addresses a listener who has just been warned in Proverbs 25:10 about the lasting shame of careless speech. The instruction is given at the moment of practical counsel regarding the careful timing and delivery of words.

The words — The Hebrew term דָּבָר (davar) denotes “a word,” while דָּבֻר (dabur) specifies it as “spoken” or “fitly spoken.” The imagery relies on תַּפּוּחֵי (tapuhei) for “apples” and כָּסֶף (kesef) for “silver” to describe valuable, well-set ornaments.

The thread — The theme of carefully timed and accurate speech runs through Proverbs 15:23, Isaiah 50:4, and Ecclesiastes 12:10. These passages collectively emphasize the value of words delivered at the right moment for sustenance and truth.

Why it lands — The text demands the reader to measure speech against the standard of precision and value, treating words as crafted objects rather than casual utterances. It requires deliberate timing and restraint before speaking.

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.