The Meaning of Proverbs 12:23 Explained

Proverbs 12:23

KJV: A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

YLT: A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.

Darby: A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.

ASV: A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A prudent  man  concealeth  knowledge:  but the heart  of fools  proclaimeth  foolishness. 

What does Proverbs 12:23 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 12

1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge

What do the individual words in Proverbs 12:23 mean?

A man prudent conceals knowledge but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness
אָדָ֣ם עָ֭רוּם כֹּ֣סֶה דָּ֑עַת וְלֵ֥ב כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים יִקְרָ֥א אִוֶּֽלֶת

אָדָ֣ם  A  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדָם 
Sense: man, mankind.
עָ֭רוּם  prudent 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עָרוּם  
Sense: subtle, shrewd, crafty, sly, sensible.
כֹּ֣סֶה  conceals 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
דָּ֑עַת  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.
וְלֵ֥ב  but  the  heart 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים  of  fools 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: כְּסִיל  
Sense: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one.
יִקְרָ֥א  proclaims 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
אִוֶּֽלֶת  foolishness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אִוֶּלֶת  
Sense: foolishness, folly.