20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Focused Passage
Proverbs 18:20-21
The Power of Words: Isolation, Pride, Justice, Friendship, and the Name of the LORD
The chapter moves from isolation and foolish speech, to justice and gossip, to true refuge in the LORD contrasted with false wealth-security, to listening and knowledge, to disputes and the tongue's power, and finally to marriage, poverty, and faithful friendship.
Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources
Study Helps
References and Original Words
Verse 20
Cross-references
Original words
From the fruitמִפְּרִ֣יH6529Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructof his mouthפִי־H6310Noun - masculine singular constructa man’sאִ֭ישׁH376Noun - masculine singularbellyבִּטְנ֑וֹH990Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularis filledתִּשְׂבַּ֣עH7646Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularwith the harvestתְּבוּאַ֖תH8393Noun - feminine singular constructfrom his lipsשְׂפָתָ֣יוH8193Noun - feminine dual construct | third person masculine singularhe is satisfiedיִשְׂבָּֽע׃H7646Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 21
Cross-references
Original words
Lifeוְ֭חַיִּיםH2416Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine pluraland deathמָ֣וֶתH4194Noun - masculine singularare in the powerבְּיַד־H3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructof the tongueלָשׁ֑וֹןH3956Noun - common singularand those who love [it]וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָH157Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singularwill eatיֹאכַ֥לH398Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularits fruitפִּרְיָֽהּ׃H6529Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular