Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:18
Verse 18. There is that speaketh ] Instead of hfwb boteh, blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have jfwb boteach, TRUSTING: and instead of twrqdmk kemadkeroth, AS the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have twrqdmb bemadkeroth, IN the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword , etc.] Whose words are like sharp swords, cutting, wounding, dividing, killing; (see Psalm 57:4 59:7 64:3); such are the words of false witnesses, who by their false testimonies and perjuries are as guilty of the murder of men as cutthroats; such are the words of slanderers, backbiters, and talebearers, who grieve the innocent, wound their characters, destroy their good name and credit, and separate chief friends; and such are the words of antichrist, who looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon, ( Revelation 13:11); but the tongue of the wise [is] health ; or “healing” f342 ; by giving a faithful testimony which sets matters right; by clearing and defending the character of those who are falsely accused and wrongfully charged; by making up differences, and reconciling persons at variance through the detracting and lying insinuations of others; and by speaking comfortable, cheerful, and refreshing words to the injured and abused; especially the tongue of a wise minister of the Gospel is health, or healing, to wounded souls, to whom he ministers the Gospel of the grace of God, which directs to Christ for healing, peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 18 - Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.
Original Hebrew
ישׁ 3426 בוטה 981 כמדקרות 4094 חרב 2719 ולשׁון 3956 חכמים 2450 מרפא׃ 4832
