Proverbs 25:11
New International Version
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.

New Living Translation
Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

English Standard Version
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Berean Standard Bible
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

King James Bible
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

New King James Version
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

New American Standard Bible
Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a word spoken at the proper time.

NASB 1995
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

NASB 1977
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

Amplified Bible
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken at the right time.

Christian Standard Bible
A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.

American Standard Version
A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He that speaks the word is an apple of gold in a vessel of beaten silver.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

Contemporary English Version
The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver.

Douay-Rheims Bible
To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

English Revised Version
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Like] golden apples in silver settings, [so] is a word spoken at the right time.

Good News Translation
An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.

International Standard Version
Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time.

JPS Tanakh 1917
A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Literal Standard Version
Apples of gold in imagery of silver, | [Is] the word spoken at its fit times.

Majority Standard Bible
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

New American Bible
Golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.

NET Bible
Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.

New Revised Standard Version
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

New Heart English Bible
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Webster's Bible Translation
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

World English Bible
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Young's Literal Translation
Apples of gold in imagery of silver, Is the word spoken at its fit times.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
More Proverbs of Solomon
10lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away. 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.…

Cross References
Matthew 12:35
The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Proverbs 15:23
A man takes joy in a fitting reply--and how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 25:10
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.


Treasury of Scripture

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

word

Proverbs 15:23
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 24:26
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Ecclesiastes 12:10
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

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Proverbs 25
1. observations about kings
8. and about avoiding causes of quarrels














(11) A word fitly spoken.--Or, it may be, at the proper time. (Comp. Proverbs 15:23.)

Apples of gold in pictures of silver.--Probably golden-coloured apples are meant, or fruit of the same tint, such as pomegranates, citrons, or oranges. "Pictures" of silver probably means "figures," i.e., baskets or dishes of ornamental work.

Verse 11. - One of the emblematical distiches in which this collection is rich. A word fitly spoken. עַל־אָפְנָיו may be translated "in due season," or "upon its wheels" (Venetian, ἐπὶ τῶν τροχῶν αὐτῆς). In the latter case the phrase may mean a word quickly formed, or moving easily, spoken ore rotundo, or a speedy answer. But the metaphor is unusual and inappropriate; and it is best to understand a word spoken under due consideration of time and place. Vulgate, Qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo; Aquila and Theodotion, ἐπὶ ἁρμόζουσιν αὐτῷ, "in circumstances that suit it;" the Septuagint has simply οὕτως. Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. In these emblematical distichs the words, "is like," in the Authorized Version, are an insertion. The Hebrew places the two ideas merely in sequence; the object with which some, thing is compared usually coming before, that which is compared with it, as here, "Apples of gold - a word fitly spoken" (so in vers. 14, 18, 19, 26, 28). There is a doubt about the meaning of the word rendered "pictures," maskith (see on Proverbs 18:11). It seems to be used generally in the sense of "image," "sculpture," being derived from the verb שָׁכָה, "to see;" from this it comes to signify "ornament," and here most appropriately is "basket," and, as some understand, of filagree work. St. Jerome mistakes the word, rendering, in lectis argenteis. The Septuagint has, ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, "on a necklace of sardius." "Apples of gold" are apples or other fruits of a golden colour, not made of gold, which would be very costly and heavy; nor would the comparison with artificial fruits be as suitable as that with natural. The "word" is the fruit set off by its circumstances, as the latter's beauty is enhanced by the grace of the vessel which contains it. The "apple" has been supposed to be the orange (called in late Latin pomum aurantium) or the citron. We may cite here the opinion of a competent traveller: "For my own part," says Canon Tristram ('Land of Israel,' p. 605), "I have no hesitation in expressing my conviction that the apricot alone is the 'apple' of Scripture Everywhere the apricot is common; perhaps it is, with the single exception of the fig, the most abundant fruit of the country. In highlands and lowlands alike, by the shores of the Mediterranean and on the banks of the Jordan, in the nooks of Judea, under the heights of Lebanon, in the recesses of Galilee, and in the glades of Gilead, the apricot flourishes, and yields a crop of prodiscus abundance. Its characteristics meet every condition of the 'tappuach' of Scripture. 'I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste' (Song of Solomon 2:3). Near Damascus, and on the banks of the Barada, we have pitched our tents under its shade, and spread our carpets secure from the rays of the sun. 'The smell of thy nose (shall be) like tappuach' (Song of Solomon 7:8). There can scarcely be a more deliciously perfumed fruit than the apricot; and what fruit can better fit the epithet of Solomon, 'apples of gold in pictures of silver,' than this golden fruit, as its branches bend under the weight in their setting of bright yet pale foliage?" Imagery similar to that found in this verse occurs in Proverbs 10:31; Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 13:2; Proverbs 18:20. There is a famous article on the analogies between flowers and men's characters in the Spectator, No. 455.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A word
דָּ֝בָ֗ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

fitly
אָפְנָֽיו׃ (’ā·p̄ə·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 655: Circumstance, condition

spoken
דָּבֻ֥ר (dā·ḇur)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

[is like] apples
תַּפּוּחֵ֣י (tap·pū·ḥê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8598: An apple, the fruit, the tree

of gold
זָ֭הָב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

in settings
בְּמַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת (bə·maś·kî·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4906: A showpiece, figure, imagination

of silver.
כָּ֑סֶף (kā·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 25:10
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