American Standard Version
Proverbs 20:2
2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.
Proverbs 20:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
- New International Version (NIV)A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
Context of Proverbs 20:2
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life. 3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling. 4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:2 word by word
נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2
- Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king isasmessengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.
- Proverbs 19:12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favor is as dew upon the grass.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.
- Hosea 11:10They shall walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.
- Amos 3:8The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?
- Proverbs 8:36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death.
- 1 Kings 2:23Then king Solomon sware by Jehovah, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah hath not spoken this word against his own life.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2The fear of a king - Almost the same with Proverbs 19:12; (note), which see.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Sinneth against his own soul - i. e., Against his own life (compare Habakkuk 2:10).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 How formidable kings are to those who provoke them! how much more foolish then is it to provoke the King of kings!Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Queen Esther was willing to risk her life and make the king angry (Esther 7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 19:12). Men who resist authority injure themselves (Ro 13:2).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries