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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 3:7–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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2 selected · 8 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 7

  1. Mark 5:4Rank 1 from verse 7
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    4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

From verse 8

  1. Romans 3:13Rank 1 from verse 8
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    13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

  2. Psalms 140:3Rank 2 from verse 8
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    3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.

  3. Psalms 55:21Rank 3 from verse 8
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    21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

  4. James 3:6Rank 4 from verse 8
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    6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

  5. Psalms 57:4Rank 5 from verse 8
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    4My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

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DEFINED WORDS

James 3:7

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

kind

↗

Sense 1: A class, sort, nature, or group sharing common characteristics. Sense 2: Benevolent, gracious, helpful, or gentle.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sea

↗

1. A great body or expanse of gathered waters, including a named sea or lake, in which ships and creatures move. 2. The large brazen or molten basin made for the temple and called a sea. 3. Something represented or compared as a sea.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:8

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

unruly

↗

Not readily governed, restrained, or controlled; disorderly or unmanageable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

poison

↗

A substance which, when taken into the stomach, mixed with the blood or applied to the skin or flesh, proves fatal or deleterious by an action not mechanical; venom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · James 3:1–12

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:1MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

3:2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3:3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

3:4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

3:5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

3:6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

3:7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

Selected passage

3:8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Selected passage

3:9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

3:10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

3:11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

3:12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

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