Proverbs 16:32

Proverbs 16:32 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
• New International Version (NIV)Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Context of Proverbs 16:32

30If someone sends secret messages with his eyes, he has a plan to hurt someone. If he squeezes his lips together, he is ready to do an evil thing. 31Grey hair is like a beautiful crown on your head! People who live in a righteous way may wear it. A person who is patient is better than a brave soldier. If you can control your anger, you can win any battle. 33People throw dice to choose what is right. But it is the Lord who decides the answer.

Proverbs 16:32 word by word

ט֤וֹב אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם מִגִּבּ֑וֹר וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ מִלֹּכֵ֥ד עִֽיר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• slowאָרֵךְ'ârêk · slowH750
• to angerאַף'aph · face: angerH639
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• than the mightyגִּבּוֹרgibbôr gibbôr · mighty manH1368
• and he that rulethמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
• his spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• than he that takethלָכַדlâkad · to captureH3920
• a cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:32

• Proverbs 14:29A patient man shows that he understands what is right. But someone who quickly becomes angry shows that he is foolish.
• Proverbs 15:18Angry people bring quarrels, but patient people bring peace.
• Proverbs 19:11If someone is wise, he controls his anger. When anyone hurts him, he is careful to forget it.
• Psalms 103:8The Lord is kind to people and he forgives them. He is slow to get angry and his love always continues.
• Ephesians 5:1You are God's children and he loves you very much. So you must try to be like him.
• James 1:19Understand this, my Christian friends: We must all be careful to listen. We should not be too quick to speak. We should not get angry quickly.
• Proverbs 16:19You may be humble and have poor people as your friends. But that is better than if you have proud friends who give you things that they have robbed from others.
• Proverbs 25:28Somebody who cannot control his anger is in danger. He is like a city that no longer has a strong wall round it.
• Romans 12:21Do not let evil things win against you! Instead, do good things. Then you will win against the evil things that people do.
• Revelation 3:21Everyone who wins against Satan will come to sit with me on my throne where I rule. I won against my enemies. Then I sat down with my Father on his throne. I will give you the same authority.

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:32

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within. There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends, and one whom he loved beyond all others. The spirit of this maxim is so self-evident, that most…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 32Verse 32 To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 32Patience and self-control are more valuable than using force.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3232. (Compare Pr 14:29). taketh a city--that is, by fighting.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:32

• Anger
• Meekness
• Self-Denial

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Anger
• Longsuffering
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings