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

20Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 23The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. 24Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

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 see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”
• Matthew 10:13and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.
• 1 Corinthians 15:18Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished.

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