English Standard Version
Proverbs 25:22
22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
- New Living Translation (NLT)You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
Context of Proverbs 25:22
20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread 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 brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. 24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:22 word by word
כִּ֤י גֶֽחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:22
- 2 Samuel 16:12It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today."
- Matthew 10:13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
- 1 Corinthians 15:18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have 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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries