Proverbs 25:11
in Proverbs 25A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.
KJV
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
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This verse in Proverbs 25
Commentary
5 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Apples of gold - Probably the golden colored fruit set in baskets (i. e., chased vessels of open worked silver); so is a word spoken upon its wheels (i. e., moving quickly and quietly on its way). The proverb may have had its origin in some kingly gift to the son of David, the work of Tyrian artists, like Hiram and his fellows. Others gazed on the cunning work and admired, but the wise king saw in the costly rarity a parable of something higher. “A word well set upon the wheels of speech” excelled it.
This site's exposition
A word fitly spoken
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" is among the most quoted lines in the book. The Hebrew word rendered "fitly" is rare and ordinarily taken as well-timed. The same true word can land well at one moment and badly at another.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
Golden apples in silver settings, etc. The sacred words are most rightly compared to silver settings; settings, namely, because they provide rest for the souls of the listeners; silver, however, because they shine splendidly with the virtues of the fathers. Where it is written: The …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
A word fitly spoken,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A word fitly spoken - על אפניו al ophannaiv, upon its wheels. An observation, caution, reproof, or advice, that comes in naturally, runs smoothly along, is not forced nor dragged in, that appears to be without design, to rise out of the conversation, and though particularly relative to one point, will appear to the company to suit all. Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver - - Is like the refreshing orange or beautiful citron, served up in open work or filigree baskets, made of silver. The Asiatics excel in filigree silver work. I have seen much of it, and it is exquisitely beautiful. The silver wire by which it is done they form into the appearance of numerous flowers; and though these wires are soldered everywhere at their junctions with each other, yet this is done with such delicacy and skill as to be scarcely perceptible. I have seen animals formed on this filigree work, with all their limbs, and every joint in its natural play. Fruit-baskets are made also in this way, and are exquisitely fine. The wise man seems to have this kind of work particularly in view; and the contrast of the golden yellow fruit in the exquisitely wrought silver basket, which may be all termed picture work, has a fine and pleasing effect upon the eye, as the contained fruit has upon the palate at an entertainment in a sultry climate. So the word spoken judiciously and opportunely is as much in its place, as the golden apples in the silver baskets.
The words behind it
8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| תַּפּוּחֵ֣י | tapuchei | apples of | H8598 → | |
| זָ֭הָב | zaho | gold | H2091 → | 389 times |
| בְּמַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת | bemaskiyot | in settings of | H4906 → | |
| כָּ֑סֶף | kasef | silver | H3701 → | 403 times |
| דָּ֝בָ֗ר | davar | a word | H1697 → | 1440 times |
| דָּבֻ֥ר | davur | spoken | H1696 → | 1141 times |
| עַל־ | ʾal- | on | H5921 → | 5755 times |
| אָפְנָֽיו׃ | ʾafenav | proper times its | H655 → |
תַּפּוּחֵ֣יapples of
tapucheiH8598 →
זָ֭הָבgold
zahoH2091 →389 times
בְּמַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹתin settings of
bemaskiyotH4906 →
כָּ֑סֶףsilver
kasefH3701 →403 times
דָּ֝בָ֗רa word
davarH1697 →1440 times
דָּבֻ֥רspoken
davurH1696 →1141 times
עַל־on
ʾal-H5921 →5755 times
אָפְנָֽיו׃proper times its
ʾafenavH655 →
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
Isaiah 50:4The 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.
it leads to
- Luke 21:15
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Proverbs 15:23
A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
- John 7:15–17
The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”
- Exodus 4:11–12
And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
- Luke 21:15
Through
Proverbs 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
it leads to
- Proverbs 25:11–12
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- 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
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies8
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; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).