Theology: An Analysis of Proverbs 18
An Analysis of Proverbs 18: 20: Theology
The term 'tongue' is used both literally and metaphorically in the book of Proverbs to demonstrate how despite being a small object, the tongue has the power to mar or make a life, and to fill a home with despair or gladness. This text examines the concept of the power of speech as presented in the book of Proverbs and Egyptian wisdom literature.
Analysis of Proverbs 18: 21, 21: The Power of the Tongue
The concepts of taming one's tongue and the use of language in daily living are among the core themes inherent in the book of Proverbs. The term 'tongue' is used both literally and metaphorically to demonstrate how despite being a small object, the tongue has the power to mar or make a life, and to fill a home with despair or gladness. The subsequent subsections examine what the book of Proverbs says about the power of speech, and how the insight presented therein compares with that given in Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature.
Summary of what the Book of Proverbs Says about Language/Speech
Speech is a God-like power given to man by God when He breathed life into him and made him a living soul. Speech, therefore, is divine, which is exactly why words have so much power (Waltke, 2004). Words can make or break a life - Proverbs 15:4 states that deceitful words have the ability to crush the spirit. We need to understand therefore, that what we say often has a profound effect on others. The...
In summary, the spoken word has so much power that it can cause death as much as it can bless or restore a life. This is the central message in verses 20 and 21 -- that through language, one can either bless or curse a life. A healing tongue can encourage and restore life, just as a reckless and deceitful one can discourage, and cause hatred, arguments, and disharmony. Towards this end, Christians are advised to tame their tongues and be cautious about their language so that their words are a source of God's praise as well as blessings and inspiration for others, and not a premonition for evil, sin, and curses (Horne, 2005).
The Theme of the Use of the Tongue in Proverbs
As illustrated in Proverbs 18: 21 and 21, the tongue can be used both as an agency of evil and as an agency of good. As an agency of evil, the tongue works as:
A Lying Tongue: Proverbs 25: 18 states that any man that uses his tongue to give false testimony against his neighbor is a sharp arrow, a sword, and a maul. A lying tongue, therefore, brings harm to others at hand (a maul), several feet away (a sword) and far away (an arrow). It can crush the spirit (emotional death) (15:4) or lead to physical death through heated arguments and uncontrolled verbal exchanges. God Himself acknowledges in chapter 6: 17 that He hates a lying tongue, and that all liars…
