English Standard Version
Proverbs 20:2
2The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
Context of Proverbs 20:2
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. 3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. 4The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:2 word by word
נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2
- Proverbs 16:14A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
- Proverbs 19:12A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
- Hosea 11:10They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west;
- Amos 3:8The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?"
- Proverbs 8:36but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."
- 1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, "God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah 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
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries