Proverbs 18 · Verse 13

Proverbs 18:13

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 18:13, King James Version

Proverbs 18:13 in other translations

BSBHe who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
WEBHe who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
ASVHe that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
YLTWhoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
DARBYHe that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
BBETo give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
WebsterHe that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him.

What does Proverbs 18:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 He that answereth a matter - This is a common case; before a man can tell out his story, another will begin his. Before a man has made his response, the other wishes to confute piecemeal, though he has had his own speech already. This is foolishness to them. They are ill-bred. There are many also that give judgment before they hear the whole of the cause, and express an opinion before they hear the state of the case. How absurd, stupid, and foolish!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Eagerness, with self-conceit, will expose to shame.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 18:13 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מֵשִׁ֣יבme.Shiv[one who] brings backH7725
דָּ֭בָרDa.vora wordH1697
בְּטֶ֣רֶםbe.Te.rem<in> beforeH2962
יִשְׁמָ֑עyish.Ma'he listensH8085
אִוֶּ֥לֶת'i.Ve.let[is] follyH200
הִיא\־hi'-itH1931
ל֝֗וֹloof him
וּכְלִמָּֽה\׃u.khe.li.Mahand ignominyH3639

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 18:13

  • John 7:51

    Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

  • Deuteronomy 13:14

    Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

  • Proverbs 20:25

    It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

  • Job 29:16

    I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
De 13:14; 2Sa 16:4; 19:24-30; Es 3:10-15; 8:5-17; Job 29:16
Da 6:9,14; Joh 7:51
answereth a matter. Heb. returneth a word.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 18:12

    Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  • Proverbs 18:13

    He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

  • Proverbs 18:14

    The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Read all of Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que responde palabra antes de oir, le es fatuidad y oprobio.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Répondre avant d’avoir entendu, c’est une folie et une confusion pour qui le fait.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer Antwort gibt, bevor er anhört, dem ist es Narrheit und Schande.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.