Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

PROVERBS 17:7KJV
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Proverbs 17:7 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 17:7 mean?

Proverbs 17:7 says that it is unfitting for a foolish person to speak in an impressive or refined way, and even more inappropriate for a leader or noble person to speak dishonestly. The verse uses a comparison to show that certain kinds of speech do not match the character or role of the person speaking.

In the book of Proverbs, these sayings are usually directed from a wise teacher or parent to a young listener, offering practical guidance for life. Here, the verse highlights the mismatch between a person's character and their words: just as it is strange for a fool to use "excellent speech," it is even worse for someone in authority to use "lying lips." The proverb points out that truthfulness is especially expected from those in positions of responsibility.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 17:7

  • "Excellent" (יֶתֶר, yether): This word often means "surpassing" or "superior." In this verse, it refers to speech that is refined or impressive, suggesting that such words do not fit a fool's character.
  • "Speech" (שָׂפָה, saphah): Literally "lip," this word is used here to mean the words or language someone uses. The focus is on the outward expression, not just the content.
  • "Lying" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means falsehood or deception. The verse singles out dishonesty as especially inappropriate for a "prince" or leader.
  • "Prince" (נָדִיב, nadiv): This word refers to a noble, generous, or high-ranking person. The expectation is that such a person should be truthful, making dishonesty particularly out of place.

Why Proverbs 17:7 matters

  • Proverbs 17:7 clarifies that the problem is not just with foolishness or dishonesty, but with the mismatch between a person's words and their true character or role.
  • The verse emphasizes that leaders and people in authority are held to a higher standard of truthfulness, highlighting the importance of integrity in those who influence others.
  • This proverb fits into the broader theme of Proverbs, which often contrasts wisdom and folly, and stresses the importance of both character and speech in daily life.

Where else these words appear

“becometh” Hebrew H5000 · used in 9 verses

  • Psalms 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
  • Proverbs 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
  • Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

“fool” Hebrew H5036 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?
  • Job 30:8 They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
  • Proverbs 17:21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

“prince” Hebrew H5081 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
  • Job 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
  • Proverbs 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

“Excellent” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.