Proverbs 17:27 (GNV)

Passage

Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 17:25 A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.

Proverbs 17:26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.

Proverbs 17:27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.

Proverbs 17:28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "hath", "knowledge", "spareth", "wordes", "vnderstanding", and "excellent". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "hath", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 26's "Surely it is not good to condemne..." into verse 28's "Euen a foole when he holdeth his...", so "Spirit" and "hath" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "hath" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.