Proverbs 25:15

Proverbs 25:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
• New International Version (NIV)Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
• English Standard Version (ESV)With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
• New King James Version (NKJV)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

Context of Proverbs 25:15

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. 16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.

Proverbs 25:15 word by word

בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְלָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם׃Read the interlinear

• Through patienceאֹ֫רֶךְ'ôrek · lengthH753
• Through patienceאַף'aph · face: angerH639
• a rulerקָצִיןqâtsîyn · chiefH7101
• can be persuadedפָּתָהpâthâh · to enticeH6601
• and a gentleרַךְrak · tenderH7390
• tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• can breakשָׁבַרshâbar · to breakH7665
• a boneגֶּ֫רֶםgerem · boneH1634

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:15

• Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
• Genesis 32:4He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now.
• 1 Samuel 25:14Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s young men informed Nabal’s wife Abigail, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed at them.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15A soft tongue breaketh the bone - This is similar to another proverb on the same subject: "A soft answer turneth away wrath." An angry word does nothing but mischief.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15A soft tongue - Winning and gentle speech does what it seems at first least capable of doing; it overcomes obstacles which are as bones that the strongest jaws would fail to crush.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate. long forbearing--or, "slowness to anger" (Pr 14:29; 15:18).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:15

• Citizens
• King
• Meekness
• Speaking
• Tact

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Forbear
• Heavy
• Hezekiah (2)
• Meekness
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Solomon

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