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Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

<!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 18:7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_18_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 18:7 - The Selfishness of the Unfriendly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/18-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/18-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm" title="Proverbs 18:6">&#9668;</a> Proverbs 18:7 <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm" title="Proverbs 18:8">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Crossref&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Hebrew&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A fool's mouth <i>is</i> his destruction, and his lips <i>are</i> the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth <i>is</i> his destruction, And his lips <i>are</i> the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A fool&#8217s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Saying foolish things is like setting a trap to destroy yourself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/18.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his ruin. His lips are a trap to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his unraveling, and his lips entrap himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A fool&#8217;s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, "" And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The mouth of a fool is ruin to him, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The mouth of the foolish is destruction to him, and his lips the snare of his soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips are a deadly snare. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The mouth of the fool is ruin to his soul, and by his lips his soul is caught.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/18-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3558" 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>&#8230;<span class="reftext">6</span>A fool&#8217;s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: &#7733;&#601;&#183;s&#238;l (N-ms) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">A fool&#8217;s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p&#238;- (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/4288.htm" title="4288: m&#601;&#183;&#7717;it&#183;t&#257;h- (N-fs) -- Terror, destruction, ruin. From chathah; properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or consternation.">is his ruin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/l&#333;w (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: &#363;&#183;&#347;&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;&#7791;&#257;w (Conj-w:: N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">and his lips</a> <a href="/hebrew/4170.htm" title="4170: m&#333;&#183;w&#183;q&#234;&#353; (N-msc) -- A bait or lure, a snare. Or moqesh; from yaqosh; a noose: by implication, a hook.">are a snare</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap&#772;&#183;&#353;&#333;w (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">to his soul.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-14.htm">Proverbs 10:14</a></span><br />The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Proverbs 12:13</a></span><br />An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a></span><br />If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Psalm 64:8</a></span><br />They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-2.htm">Proverbs 6:2</a></span><br />if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a></span><br />When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Proverbs 15:2</a></span><br />The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Proverbs 17:28</a></span><br />Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12-14</a></span><br />The words of a wise man&#8217;s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a></span><br />A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/141-3.htm">Psalm 141:3</a></span><br />Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.</p><p class="hdg">his destruction</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-8.htm">Proverbs 10:8,14</a></b></br> The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Proverbs 12:13</a></b></br> The wicked is snared by the transgression of <i>his</i> lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></b></br> He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: <i>but</i> he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.</p><p class="hdg">his lips</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-2.htm">Proverbs 6:2</a></b></br> Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-35.htm">Judges 11:35</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-24.htm">1 Samuel 14:24</a></b></br> And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed <i>be</i> the man that eateth <i>any</i> food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted <i>any</i> food.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Fool's</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Net</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-28.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/22-4.htm">Undoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/18-9.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-1.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-3.htm">Fool's</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-20.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-20.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-25.htm">Net</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-2.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Undoing</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/18.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>A fool&#8217;s mouth</b><br />The term "fool" in Hebrew is "kesil," which often refers to someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. In the context of Proverbs, a fool is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but rather someone who rejects God's wisdom and guidance. The "mouth" of such a person is often the source of their downfall. In ancient Israel, as in many cultures, words held significant power. The mouth, as the instrument of speech, can either build up or destroy. The fool's mouth, therefore, is a metaphor for the reckless and thoughtless words that lead to personal destruction.<p><b>is his ruin</b><br />The Hebrew word for "ruin" is "mechittah," which implies destruction or downfall. This suggests that the consequences of a fool's words are not minor but catastrophic. In the biblical context, this ruin is not just physical or social but also spiritual. The fool's words can lead to broken relationships, loss of reputation, and ultimately, separation from God. The verse warns that the misuse of speech is a self-destructive act, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and discretion in communication.<p><b>and his lips</b><br />"Lips" in Hebrew is "saphah," which can refer to the boundary or edge of something, symbolizing the threshold of speech. The lips are the final barrier before words are released into the world. This imagery highlights the responsibility one has to guard their speech. In the biblical tradition, the lips are often associated with truth and integrity. The fool's lips, however, betray a lack of self-control and wisdom, leading to negative consequences.<p><b>are a snare</b><br />The word "snare" in Hebrew is "mowqesh," which refers to a trap or a device used for capturing prey. This imagery suggests that the fool's words are not just harmful but also deceptive and entangling. A snare is something that catches one unexpectedly, indicating that the fool may not even be aware of the danger their words pose. In a broader biblical context, snares are often associated with sin and temptation, warning believers to be vigilant and discerning.<p><b>to his soul</b><br />"Soul" in Hebrew is "nephesh," which encompasses the whole being of a person, including their life, mind, and spirit. The use of "soul" here underscores the profound impact that words can have, reaching beyond the physical to affect one's spiritual and emotional well-being. In the conservative Christian perspective, the soul is eternal and of utmost importance. Therefore, the verse serves as a caution that careless or harmful speech can have eternal consequences, urging believers to seek wisdom and align their words with God's truth.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">A fool's mouth is his destruction.--</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm" title="The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.">Proverbs 12:13</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - The results of the fool's disposition and actions are further noted. <span class="cmt_word">A fool's mouth is his destruction</span> (comp. <a href="/proverbs/10-15.htm">Proverbs 10:15</a>; <a href="/proverbs/13-9.htm">Proverbs 13:9</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a>). A mediaeval adage pronounces, "Ex lingua stulta veniunt incommoda multa." <span class="cmt_word">His lips are the snare of his soul;</span> bring his life into danger (see on Proverbs 12:13; comp. <a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Proverbs 13:14</a>; <a href="/proverbs/14-27.htm">Proverbs 14:27</a>; <a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Proverbs 17:28</a>). So St. Luke (<a href="/luke/21-35.htm">Luke 21:35</a>) speaks of the last day, coming upon men like "a snare (<span class="greek">&#x3c0;&#x3b1;&#x3b3;&#x1f77;&#x3c2;</span>)," the word used by the Septuagint in this passage. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/18-7.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">A fool&#8217;s</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1456;&#1453;&#1505;&#1460;&#1497;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7733;&#601;&#183;s&#238;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stupid fellow, dullard, fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mouth</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1508;&#1468;&#1460;&#1469;&#1497;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(p&#238;-)</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">is his ruin,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1456;&#1495;&#1460;&#1514;&#1468;&#1464;&#1492;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#601;&#183;&#7717;it&#183;t&#257;h-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4288.htm">Strong's 4288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dissolution, a ruin, consternation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his lips</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1468;&#1437;&#1513;&#1474;&#1456;&#1508;&#1464;&#1514;&#1464;&#1431;&#1497;&#1493;</span> <span class="translit">(&#363;&#183;&#347;&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;&#7791;&#257;w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - fdc &#124; third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] a snare</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1493;&#1465;&#1511;&#1461;&#1445;&#1513;&#1473;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#333;&#183;w&#183;q&#234;&#353;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4170.htm">Strong's 4170: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bait or lure, a snare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to his soul.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1504;&#1463;&#1508;&#1456;&#1513;&#1473;&#1469;&#1493;&#1465;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(nap&#772;&#183;&#353;&#333;w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct &#124; third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/18-7.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 18:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 18:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:8" /></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>

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