Proverbs 20:15 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 20:15 mean?

Proverbs 20:15 says that while gold and many rubies exist, words spoken with knowledge are even more valuable. The verse highlights that wise and knowledgeable speech is rarer and more precious than material wealth.

This proverb is part of a collection of sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, offering practical wisdom to everyday people. The verse contrasts physical treasures like gold and rubies with the intangible treasure of wise words, suggesting that true value lies not just in possessions but in the quality of what people say and know.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 20:15

• רָב (rav, "multitude"): This word means "many" or "abundance," emphasizing not just the existence but the sheer quantity of valuable stones, making the comparison to wise speech even stronger.
• שָׂפָה (safah, "lips"): The Hebrew word for "lips" here points to speech or words, focusing the value on what is spoken, not just knowledge held privately.
• דַּעַת (daʿat, "knowledge"): This word often refers to practical, insightful understanding, not just information, highlighting that the speech valued here is both wise and useful.
• כְּלִי (kli, "jewel"): This word can mean "vessel" or "precious object," adding a sense of something carefully crafted and treasured, not just any ornament.

Why Proverbs 20:15 matters

• Proverbs 20:15 helps clear up the idea that wealth is the highest form of value, pointing instead to the lasting worth of wise and knowledgeable speech.
• The verse emphasizes that not all valuable things are material; wisdom and understanding, especially when shared, are treasures in themselves.
• In the wider context of Proverbs, this saying fits with the theme that true wisdom is more desirable than riches, encouraging readers to seek understanding as a priority.