Proverbs 20:2

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, beer is a brawler; whoever goes astray because of them is not wise. A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself. 3Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel. 4The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.

Proverbs 20:2 word by word

נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The fearאֵימָה'êymâh 'êmâh · terrorH367
• of a kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• as the roaringנַ֫הַםnaham · roaringH5099
• of a lionכְּפִירkephîyr · lionH3715
• provoketh him to angerעָבַר‛âbar · be angryH5674
• sinnethחָטָאchâţâ' · to sinH2398
• his own soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: lifeH5315

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2

• Proverbs 16:14A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
• Proverbs 19:12A king’s rage is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
• Hosea 11:10They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
• Amos 3:8A lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who will not prophesy?
• Proverbs 8:36but the one who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
• 1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon took an oath by the Lord: “May God punish me and do so severely if Adonijah has not made this request at the cost of his 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

• Citizens
• Lion

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

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