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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/20_Pro_18_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 18:4 - The Selfishness of the Unfriendly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth <i>are as</i> deep waters, <i>and</i> the wellspring of wisdom <i>as</i> a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth <i>are</i> deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom <i>is</i> a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The words of a man&#8217s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom]; The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man&#8217s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Words of wisdom are a stream that flows from a deep fountain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A person's words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The words a man says are as deep waters— a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man?s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of a man’s mouth [are] deep waters, "" The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Deep waters are the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Deep waters are the words of man's mouth, the fountain of wisdom a gushing stream.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The words of one’s mouth are deep waters, the spring of wisdom, a running brook. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters; and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are deep waters and the fount of wisdom is a rushing torrent.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; A flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/18-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3536" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm">The Selfishness of the Unfriendly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">The words</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">of a man’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p̄î- (N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/6013.htm" title="6013: ‘ă·muq·qîm (Adj-mp) -- From amaq; deep.">are deep</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">waters;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4726.htm" title="4726: mə·qō·wr (N-msc) -- A spring, fountain. ">the fountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥāḵ·māh (N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">of wisdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5042.htm" title="5042: nō·ḇê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To flow, spring, bubble up. A primitive root; to gush forth; figuratively, to utter; specifically, to emit.">is a bubbling</a> <a href="/hebrew/5158.htm" title="5158: na·ḥal (N-ms) -- Or nachlah; or nachalah; from nachal in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; a valley; also a shaft.">brook.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-11.htm">James 3:11-12</a></span><br />Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a></span><br />Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-11.htm">Proverbs 10:11</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Proverbs 13:14</a></span><br />The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-5.htm">Proverbs 20:5</a></span><br />The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/12-3.htm">Isaiah 12:3</a></span><br />With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a></span><br />But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/36-9.htm">Psalm 36:9</a></span><br />For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Proverbs 16:22</a></span><br />Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a></span><br />The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-35</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Colossians 4:6</a></span><br />Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-130.htm">Psalm 119:130</a></span><br />The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.</p><p class="hdg">words</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-11.htm">Proverbs 10:11</a></b></br> The mouth of a righteous <i>man is</i> a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Proverbs 13:14</a></b></br> The law of the wise <i>is</i> a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Proverbs 16:22</a></b></br> Understanding <i>is</i> a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools <i>is</i> folly.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/110-7.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-7.htm">Bubbling</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-24.htm">Flowing</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Fountain</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-26.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Wellspring</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Well-Spring</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/15-7.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-7.htm">Bubbling</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Flowing</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-26.htm">Fountain</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-5.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Wellspring</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Well-Spring</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">A fool delights not in understanding</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;</b><br>This phrase suggests that human speech can be profound and complex, much like deep waters that are difficult to fathom. In biblical times, water was a precious resource, often symbolizing life and sustenance. Deep waters can also imply hidden dangers or mysteries, reflecting the idea that words can conceal true intentions or meanings. This aligns with other scriptures, such as <a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a>, which discuss the power of the tongue and its potential for both good and harm. The imagery of deep waters may also evoke the wisdom literature's frequent use of nature to illustrate moral and spiritual truths.<p><b>the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.</b><br>In contrast to the deep waters, a bubbling brook suggests clarity, refreshment, and accessibility. A fountain or brook in the ancient Near East would be a source of life and vitality, often associated with purity and renewal. This imagery is used throughout scripture to describe divine wisdom, which is life-giving and readily available to those who seek it. <a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Proverbs 13:14</a> and <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a> both use similar imagery to convey the sustaining and refreshing nature of wisdom and truth. The bubbling brook can also be seen as a type of Christ, who offers living water to those who believe in Him, as seen in <a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a>. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between human words, which can be obscure, and divine wisdom, which is clear and life-affirming.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and godly living are reflected throughout the book of Proverbs.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes Job, Ecclesiastes, and some Psalms. This genre focuses on practical and philosophical insights into life and godliness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words have the potential to be deep and profound, influencing others significantly. We should be mindful of the impact our words can have.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_as_a_source_of_life.htm">Wisdom as a Source of Life</a></b><br>Just as a bubbling brook is refreshing and life-giving, true wisdom provides guidance and sustenance for the soul. Seek wisdom that aligns with God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_speech.htm">Guarding Our Speech</a></b><br>Our speech should reflect the wisdom and life that comes from God. We should strive to speak words that edify and build up others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_godly_wisdom.htm">Seeking Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom comes from God and is characterized by purity, peace, and righteousness. We should continually seek God's wisdom through prayer and study of His Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'sanctify_the_lord'_mean.htm">What does 'Stolen Water is Sweet' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_matthew_6_33_mean.htm">What does 'Same Mouth Blessing and Cursing' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_4_18_with_reality.htm">How do we reconcile Proverbs 4:18, claiming the righteous path grows ever brighter, with real-world moral ambiguity and suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_9_17_suggest_theft's_allure.htm">Proverbs 9:17 suggests stolen water is sweet. Does this imply that forbidden acts have inherent appeal, and how does this reconcile with other passages condemning theft?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters </span>. . .--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the words of a "man," properly so called, are as deep waters which cannot be easily fathomed; they are a copious stream, which flows from a never failing source; they are a fountain of wisdom which is never exhausted.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters.</span> "Man" (<span class="accented">ish</span>) here means the ideal man in all his wisdom and integrity, just as in <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a> the ideal wife is intended under the general term "wife." Such a man's words are as deep waters which cannot be fathomed or exhausted. The metaphor is common (see <a href="/proverbs/20-5.htm">Proverbs 20:5</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:24</a>; Ecclus. 21:13). For "mouth," the Septuagint reads "heart:" "Deep water is a word in a man's heart." The second hemistich explains the first: <span class="cmt_word">The well spring of wisdom as a flowing</span> (<span class="accented">gushing</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>brook</span>. A man's words are now called a well spring of wisdom, gushing forth from its source, the wise and understanding heart, pure, fresh, and inexhaustible. Septuagint, "And it leapeth forth (<span class="greek">ἀναπηδύει</span>) a river and a fountain of life." Or we may, with Delitzsch, take the whole as one idea, and consider that a man's words are deep waters, a bubbling brook, and a fountain of wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/18-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a man’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mouth</span><br /><span class="heb">פִי־</span> <span class="translit">(p̄î-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are deep</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲ֭מֻקִּים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·muq·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6013.htm">Strong's 6013: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deep</span><br /><br /><span class="word">waters;</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֣יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fountain</span><br /><span class="heb">מְק֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(mə·qō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4726.htm">Strong's 4726: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of wisdom</span><br /><span class="heb">חָכְמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāḵ·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a bubbling</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ḇê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5042.htm">Strong's 5042: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gush forth, to utter, to emit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brook.</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֥חַל</span> <span class="translit">(na·ḥal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5158.htm">Strong's 5158: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/18-4.htm">Proverbs 18:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/18-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man's mouth (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/18-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 18:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/18-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 18:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>