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Selected Verse: Proverbs 17:27 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Pr 17:27	Strong Concordance	He that hath [03045] knowledge [01847] spareth [02820] his words [0561]: and a man [0376] of understanding [08394] is of an excellent [03368] [07119] spirit [07307].
	King James	He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Better, A man of calm (or noble) spirit is a man of understanding.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
27 He that keepeth his words to himself hath knowledge, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding. The first line here is a variation of Pro 10:19. The phrase ידע דּעת (here and at Dan 1:4) means to possess knowledge (novisse); more frequently it is בּינה ידע, e.g., Pro 4:1, where ידע has the inchoative sense of noscere. In 27b the Kerı̂ is יקר־רוח. Jerome translates it pretiosi spiritus, the Venet. τίμιος τὸ πνεῦμα. Rashi glosses יקר here, as at Sa1 3:1, by מנוע (thus to be read after codd.), retentus spiritu; most interpreters remark that the spirit here comes into view as expressing itself in words. It is scarcely correct to say that יקר דּברים could designate one who is sparing in his words, but יקר־רוּח is, according to the fundamental conception of the verb יקר, gravis spiritu (Schultens), of a dignified, composed spirit; it is a quiet seriousness proceeding from high conscientiousness, and maintaining itself in self-control, which is designated by this word. But the Chethı̂b וקר־רוּח presents almost the same description of character. קר from קרר (of the same root as יקר) means to be firm, unmoveable, καρτερὸν εἶναι, hence to be congealed, frozen, cold (cf. frigus with rigere, rigor), figuratively to be cold-blooded, passionless, quiet, composed (Fl.); cf. post-bibl. קרת רוּח (Arab. ḳurrat‛ain), cooling = refreshing, ἀνάψυξις (Act 3:20). (Note: "He has made my eye glowing" (askhn, cf. שׁחין) is in Arab. equivalent to "he has deeply troubled me." The eye of the benevolent is bârid, and in the Semitic manner of expression, with deep psychological significance, it is said that the tears of sorrow are hot, but those of joy cold.) Whether we read יקר or קר, in any case we are not to translate rarus spiritu, which, apart from the impossibility of the expression, makes 27b almost a tautological repetition of the thought of 27a. The first line recommends bridling of the tongue, in contrast to inconsiderate and untimely talk; the second line recommends coldness, i.e., equanimity of spirit, in contrast to passionate heat.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

27 He that keepeth his words to himself hath knowledge,

And the cool of temper is a man of understanding.

The first line here is a variation of Pro 10:19. The phrase ידע דּעת (here and at Dan 1:4) means to possess knowledge (novisse); more frequently it is בּינה ידע, e.g., Pro 4:1, where ידע has the inchoative sense of noscere. In 27b the Kerı̂ is יקר־רוח. Jerome translates it pretiosi spiritus, the Venet. τίμιος τὸ πνεῦμα. Rashi glosses יקר here, as at Sa1 3:1, by מנוע (thus to be read after codd.), retentus spiritu; most interpreters remark that the spirit here comes into view as expressing itself in words. It is scarcely correct to say that יקר דּברים could designate one who is sparing in his words, but יקר־רוּח is, according to the fundamental conception of the verb יקר, gravis spiritu (Schultens), of a dignified, composed spirit; it is a quiet seriousness proceeding from high conscientiousness, and maintaining itself in self-control, which is designated by this word. But the Chethı̂b וקר־רוּח presents almost the same description of character. קר from קרר (of the same root as יקר) means to be firm, unmoveable, καρτερὸν εἶναι, hence to be congealed, frozen, cold (cf. frigus with rigere, rigor), figuratively to be cold-blooded, passionless, quiet, composed (Fl.); cf. post-bibl. קרת רוּח (Arab. ḳurrat‛ain), cooling = refreshing, ἀνάψυξις (Act 3:20).

(Note: "He has made my eye glowing" (askhn, cf. שׁחין) is in Arab. equivalent to "he has deeply troubled me." The eye of the benevolent is bârid, and in the Semitic manner of expression, with deep psychological significance, it is said that the tears of sorrow are hot, but those of joy cold.)

Whether we read יקר or קר, in any case we are not to translate rarus spiritu, which, apart from the impossibility of the expression, makes 27b almost a tautological repetition of the thought of 27a. The first line recommends bridling of the tongue, in contrast to inconsiderate and untimely talk; the second line recommends coldness, i.e., equanimity of spirit, in contrast to passionate heat.

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²⁰ And [2532] he shall send [649] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], which before was preached [4296] unto you [5213]:

¹ And the child [05288] Samuel [08050] ministered [08334] unto the LORD [03068] before [06440] Eli [05941]. And the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] was precious [03368] in those days [03117]; there was no open [06555] vision [02377].

¹ Hear [08085], ye children [01121], the instruction [04148] of a father [01], and attend [07181] to know [03045] understanding [0998].

⁴ Children [03206] in whom was no blemish [03971] [03971], but well [02896] favoured [04758], and skilful [07919] in all wisdom [02451], and cunning [03045] in knowledge [01847], and understanding [0995] science [04093], and such as had ability [03581] in them to stand [05975] in the king's [04428] palace [01964], and whom they might teach [03925] the learning [05612] and the tongue [03956] of the Chaldeans [03778].

¹⁹ In the multitude [07230] of words [01697] there wanteth [02308] not sin [06588]: but he that refraineth [02820] his lips [08193] is wise [07919].