Limitless Word
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
  • KJV A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
  • NKJV A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
  • NASB ¶Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a word spoken at the proper time.
  • NLT Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

A well-timed, fitting word is as beautiful and valuable as golden apples in silver settings. Right words at the right moment are precious.

Overview

This celebrated image praises speech that is apt in both content and timing. Wisdom is not only saying true things but saying them well and at the proper moment (Prov 15:23). Such graceful, fitting speech reflects the character of Christ, whose words were always full of grace (Luke 4:22; Col 4:6).

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 4

  • Prov 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
  • Isa 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.
  • Eccl 12:10The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
  • Prov 24:26An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (6)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Proverbs videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Proverbs 25:11YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ProverbsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.

How Proverbs 25:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.