The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Proverbs 18:4 · KJV
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Other translations

KJV

The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

WEB

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

Word study

The words dâbâr H1697
of a man' ʼîysh H376
s mouth peh H6310
are as deep ʻâmôq H6013
waters, mayim H4325
and the wellspring mâqôwr H4726
of wisdom chokmâh H2451
as a flowing nâbaʻ H5042
brook. nachal H5158

Commentary

Matthew Henry

The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed. 1. The well-spring of wisdom is as deep waters. An intelligent knowing man has in him a good treasure of useful things, which furnishes him with something to say upon all occasions that is pertinent and profitable. This is as deep waters, which make no noise, but never run dry. 2. The words of such a man's mouth are as a flowing brook. What he sees cause to speak flows naturally from him and with a great deal of ease, and freedom, and natural fluency; it is clean and fresh, it is cleansing and refreshing; from his deep waters there flows what there is occasion for, to water those about him, as the brooks do the low grounds.

John Gill

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters,.... The words of a great and mighty man; of an excellent and valuable man, as Jarchi; or of a wise man, as Aben Ezra. The doctrines which such a man has imbibed, and his heart is full of and his mouth utters, are like to "waters", pure, purifying, and refreshing; to "deep waters", which make no noise, and cannot be easily fathomed: such are the deep mysteries of grace, the wisdom of God in a mystery, spoken among them that are perfect; of which a good man makes no boast, but humbly declares; out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth speaks;

and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook; there is a spring of spiritual wisdom and knowledge in him; a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life; and from thence it flows freely and constantly; communicating itself liberally unto others, and ministering grace to the hearers, for their edification.

JFB

Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.

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