Proverbs 25:23

Proverbs 25:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
• New International Version (NIV)Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

Context of Proverbs 25:23

21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, And the Lord will reward you. The 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. 25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a distant land.

Proverbs 25:23 word by word

ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The northצָפוֹןtsâphôn tsâphôn · northH6828
• windרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307
• driveth awayחוּלchûl chîyl · to twist: give birthH2342
• rainגֶּ֫שֶׁםgeshem · rainH1653
• an angryזָעַםzâ‛am · be indignantH2194
• countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• a backbitingסֵ֫תֶרsêther sithrâh · secrecyH5643
• tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:23

• Job 37:22Out of the north comes golden splendor [and people can hardly look on it]; Around God is awesome splendor and majesty [far too glorious for man’s eyes].
• Psalms 15:3He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
• Psalms 101:5Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will silence; The one who has a haughty look and a proud (arrogant) heart I will not tolerate.
• Romans 1:30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents,
• 2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you not to be as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder;

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The north wind driveth away rain - The margin has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the true reading; and is supported by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Septuagint; but the Arabic reads south wind. A backbiting tongue - A hidden tongue.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The marginal reading is far more accurate and gives a better sense. The northwest wind in Palestine commonly brings rain, and this was probably in the thought of the writer.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Psa 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:23

• Backbiting
• Countenance
• Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena
• Rain
• Slander
• Speaking
• Wind

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Backbite
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Rainfall in Jerusalem in Inches
• Solomon
• Wind

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