Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

JAMES 3:11KJV
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James 3:11 (KJV)

What does James 3:11 mean?

James 3:11 uses a spring to question the mixture of blessing and cursing in human speech. James expects the answer to be no: a single spring does not normally produce both pleasant and bitter water from the same opening. The picture exposes a troubling contrast in what comes from one mouth.

The “fountain” is a natural source of water, and the “same place” is the opening where its water flows out. After describing blessing and cursing coming from the same mouth in verse 10, James turns that familiar image into a question for his hearers to consider.

The Greek behind James 3:11

  • “Doth” — μήτι (mēti): This question word often signals that the expected answer is no. James frames the question so that his hearers can recognize the contrast for themselves.

  • “place” — ὀπή (opē): This word can mean an opening or hole. It directs attention to the particular outlet from which the spring’s water emerges.

  • “sweet” — γλυκύς (glykys): This word can describe a pleasant or fresh taste. In the picture, “sweet water” is set against water that tastes bitter.

Why James 3:11 matters

  • James focuses on speech coming from one source. The “same place” in the water image corresponds to the “same mouth” mentioned in verse 10.

  • The question makes the contrast sharper without explaining every detail of human speech. Its force comes from the expected answer about a spring, while the surrounding passage shows why James chose the image.

  • The water image belongs to a series of comparisons from ordinary life. In verse 12, James asks similar questions about fig trees, olives, and grapevines, keeping attention on the relationship between a source and what comes from it.

Where else these words appear

“place” Greek G3692 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

“bitter” Greek G4089 · used in 2 verses

  • James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

“sweet” Greek G1099 · used in 4 verses

  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
  • Revelation 10:9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
  • Revelation 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

“fountain” Greek G4077 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
  • Revelation 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;