Proverbs 24:26
in Proverbs 24An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
KJV
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
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This verse in Proverbs 24
Commentary
6 notes on this verseEvery man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. Either as a witness to a question put to him in court, to which he answers aptly and uprightly; or rather as a judge, who, having heard a cause, answers and gives his opinion of it faithfully, and pronounces a righteous sentence; everyone will love and respect him, and hearken to him and obey him; both affection and obedience are signified by a kiss; see Psa 2:12.
This site's exposition
Whoever tells the guilty
on Proverbs 24:24-26
Whoever calls the guilty innocent is the judge or witness who calls evil good, and "peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him." Then "An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips," and Bridges notes the kiss as the ancient token of respect.
This site's exposition
An honest answer given is like a kiss
Albert Barnes reads the verse as an honest answer winning men's hearts, and he compares 2 Samuel 15:1 to 6. John Gill hears the honest answer of a judge giving righteous judgment, which wins both love and obedience. Gill cites Psalm 2:12 for such a kiss.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
He will kiss the lips, etc. The kiss is a sign of peace and love. Therefore, he who answers correctly will kiss the lips, because whoever follows the words of justice alone, neglecting the acceptance of persons, though he may seem harsh and severe to …
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Better, He shall kiss lips that giveth a right answer, i. e., he shall gain the hearts of men as much as by all outward signs of sympathy and favor. Compare 2Sa 15:1-6.
Kiss his lips - Shall treat him with affection and respect.
The words behind it
5 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| שְׂפָתַ֥יִם | sefatayim | lips | H8193 → | 176 times |
| יִשָּׁ֑ק | yishak | he kisses | H5401 → | |
| מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב | meshiv | [one who] bring back | H7725 → | 1056 times |
| דְּבָרִ֥ים | devarim | words | H1697 → | 1440 times |
| נְכֹחִֽים׃ | nekhochim | right | H5228 → |
שְׂפָתַ֥יִםlips
sefatayimH8193 →176 times
יִשָּׁ֑קhe kisses
yishakH5401 →
מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב[one who] bring back
meshivH7725 →1056 times
דְּבָרִ֥יםwords
devarimH1697 →1440 times
נְכֹחִֽים׃right
nekhochimH5228 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 16:1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
it leads to
- Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
- Luke 21:14–15
So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
- Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
- Proverbs 19:21
Through
Proverbs 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
it leads to
- Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
- Ephesians 4:29
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.
- Proverbs 25:11–12
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- Isaiah 50:4
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament.