God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 16:14
14A king’s anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him.
Proverbs 16:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
- New International Version (NIV)A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
Context of Proverbs 16:14
12Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because a throne is established through righteousness. 13Kings are happy with honest words, and whoever speaks what is right is loved. A king’s anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him. 15When the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain. 16How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:14 word by word
חֲמַת־מֶ֥לֶךְ מַלְאֲכֵי־מָ֑וֶת וְאִ֖ישׁ חָכָ֣ם יְכַפְּרֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:14
- Proverbs 19:12The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Proverbs 20:2The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion. Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life.
- Daniel 3:13Then, in a fit of rage and anger, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Immediately, they were brought to the king.
- Luke 12:4“My friends, I can guarantee that you don’t need to be afraid of those who kill the body. After that they can’t do anything more.
- Proverbs 17:11A rebel looks for nothing but evil. Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent ⌞to punish⌟ him.
- 2 Kings 6:31He said, “May God strike me dead if the head of Elisha, son of Shaphat, stays on his ⌞body⌟ today.”
- Mark 6:27Immediately, the king sent a guard and ordered him to bring John’s head. The guard cut off John’s head in prison.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If a ruler becomes angry with you, don’t resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses.
- Acts 12:20Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They were going to meet with Herod. They had agreed on what they wanted to do: They enlisted the help of Blastus to ask Herod for terms of peace. This was because their cities depended on Herod for their food supply. (Blastus was in charge of the king’s living quarters.)
- 2 Corinthians 5:20Therefore, we are Christ’s representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:14
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14While Proverbs 16:13 depicts the king as he ought to be, this verse reminds us of the terrible rapidity with which, in the despotic monarchies of the East, punishment, even death, follows royal displeasure.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-15Verses 14-15 Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-15The king is powerful. People should avoid making him angry and try to earn his favor.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:14
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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