Proverbs 25:22

Proverbs 25:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
• New International Version (NIV)In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

Context of Proverbs 25:22

20Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like [a reactive, useless mixture of] vinegar on soda, Is he who [thoughtlessly] sings [joyful] songs to a heavy heart. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, And the Lord will reward you. 23The north wind brings forth rain; And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. 24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.

Proverbs 25:22 word by word

כִּ֤י גֶֽחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For thou shalt heapחָתָהchâthâh · to snatch upH2846
• coals of fireגַּחֶ֫לֶתgechel gacheleth · coalH1513
• upon his headרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• and the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• shall rewardשָׁלֵםshâlam · to completeH7999

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:22

• 2 Samuel 16:12Perhaps the Lord will look on the wrong done to me [by Shimei, if he is acting on his own]; and [in that case perhaps] the Lord will this day return good to me in place of his cursing.”
• Matthew 10:13If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
• 1 Corinthians 15:18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head - Not to consume, but to melt him into kindness; a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores: - So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head: In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below. S. Wesley.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-22Verses 21-22 The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-22Surprisingly, showing kindness to an enemy works better than showing anger (see Romans 12:20).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-2221-22. (Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:22

• Beneficence
• Coal
• Enemy
• Forgiveness
• Quotations and Allusions

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Coal
• Fire
• Head
• Heap
• Hezekiah (2)
• Law in the New Testament

Commentaries on Proverbs 25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings