Bible Strands
Proverbs 28:23
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses the general reader within a sequence of contrasting moral instructions regarding wealth, family loyalty, and speech.
The words — מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ (mo.Khi.ach) means [one who] reproves, while מִֽ/מַּחֲלִ֥יק (mi./ma.cha.Lik) denotes [one who] makes smooth or flatters.
The thread — The tension between direct correction and flattering speech runs through Proverbs 27:5, Matthew 18:15, and Psalms 141:5.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to choose honest rebuke over pleasing words, because genuine correction ultimately secures greater favor than superficial agreement.
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 rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 27:5 Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
- Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
- 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
- 1 Kings 1:23 So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.
- 1 Kings 1:32 Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king.
- Proverbs 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
- Galatians 2:11 When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
- 2 Peter 3:15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.