Proverbs 15:23 Meaning and Explanation
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Speaking an apt answer brings joy; timely words are precious.
The Context of Proverbs 15:23
Timely, apt speech is one of life's genuine goods.
What Does Proverbs 15:23 Mean?
A person finds joy (satisfaction, delight) in the moment they answer well—when the right words come. This joy is immediate and real. The verse then elevates the principle: a word spoken in due season (at the right time, in the right moment) is good beyond ordinary speech—it is precious because it lands at exactly the moment it can help most.
This celebrates the art of apt, timely speech. It suggests that well-timed words—a response given when it will be heard, an observation made when it will strike home—hold special power and bring satisfaction to both speaker and listener.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 15:23
What does Proverbs 15:23 mean?
Speaking an apt answer brings joy; timely words are precious.
What is the context of Proverbs 15:23?
Timely, apt speech is one of life's genuine goods.